A Millers Flat couple can thank their passion for miniature rifles for sparking a love affair that has lasted more than 60 years.
Betty (nee Paterson) and Bill Adams celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary yesterday.
They were both members of the Millers Flat Miniature Rifle Shooting Club and met one night in 1952 at a competition was held with the Heriot shooting club.
Afterwards Mr Adams decided to walk her home ''a few yards up the road'' and they married three years later in Millers Flat.
Married life for the couple began in an old cottage in Teviot, between Roxburgh and Millers Flat.
But living in that location was short-lived, after Mrs Adams ''managed'' to burn the house down.
''Well, I didn't do it deliberately,'' she said, laughing.
They moved to another house before deciding to settle down in Millers Flat, where they have been for 52 years.
It was familiar territory for Mrs Adams, who had lived in Millers Flat for most of her life.
Mr Adams was born in Naseby and grew up in Becks.
Mr Adams used to be a shearing contractor and became a farmer in his later years, and Mrs Adams was a medical receptionist in Roxburgh.
A historian and author, Mrs Adams has been involved in the community throughout her life, including the Roxburgh ambulance service and the Bakehouse Restoration Committee.
These days the couple are retired but still have about 8ha of land with about 80 sheep, chickens, and a dog to care for.
When asked what the secret to a long-lasting marriage was, Mrs Adams said it was the same answer their friends Forbes and Grace Knight gave when they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary earlier this year.
''Give and take.''
But they also had different interests in their lives and were both supportive of those, Mr Adams said.
The diamond couple celebrated their wedding anniversary last week with a ''do'' organised by friends and family.
The couple have five children, 12 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
