Mosgiel couple Bob and Bessie Todd who have just celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary have had a few tough times apart over the years, but have always revelled in being reunited.
Mr Todd (98) and Mrs Todd (97) joked yesterday their 75th anniversary had actually arrived surprisingly quickly.
''This year's gone so quickly, I wonder where it went to,'' Mr Todd added.
They had always kept busy, and their large family, including three children - Judith Barrett, as well as Bruce and Robert - had been supportive and ''with children around'', including grandchildren, they had had always been kept on their toes.
''I'm always looking forward to the next day and whatever will happen,'' Mrs Todd, nee Wylie, says.
They met at Green Island dances, and a couple of years later they were married, in 1940.
But within a couple of months they were separated by World War 2, Mr Todd serving with the New Zealand forces for four and a-half years, mainly in the Middle East.
And Mr Todd's later career, mainly as a commercial traveller for clothing companies, starting with the Wellington Woollen Manufacturing Co, meant spending a lot of nights through the week on the road, and away from home, often in Central Otago.
He was earning a living while his wife stayed home and kept the family together.
And he found that time apart ''lonely'' and could not get home quickly enough at the end of each week.
Asked what she had valued most in their marriage, Mrs Todd said ''just being together I think''.
The couple found themselves the centre of attention on Saturday when more than 40 family members and friends, old and young, converged on the Mosgiel Station Function Centre to celebrate their anniversary.
Among the keys to their successful relationship has been maintaining a good friendship, and having plenty to do together, including a shared love of gardening.
''And we seem to agree,'' she said.
