Discovery couple celebrates decades of love

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Whatever life threw at them, married couple Henry and Marlene Albertyn’s founding principles of love, mercy and grace kept them united for decades.

This special couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and renewed their vows as well at the Little Miss Muffin in Poortview on Saturday, 30 March in the presence of close family and friends. After being blessed by Pastor John Cloete of Ahavah Familiekerk in Muldersdrift and exchanging rings, the Roodepoort-based couple shared their love journey.

“We met in Discovery 52 years ago and two years later we got married in the Dutch Reformed Church in Discovery. We’ve moved all over the country together,” said Henry, who ascribes the survival of their relationship to love, mercy and forgiveness.

During the half a century of sharing their lives, the couple was blessed with three children and three grandchildren. “We are fortunate to have wonderful children and their children, with wonderful futures of their own,” said Henry.

While today’s relationships barely make it to five years before couples throw in the towel, Marlene said problems stem from giving up too easily. “We come from an era where we fix things – and we don’t just discard problems. I think young people discard too easily and give up too soon. My advice to them would be perseverance, forgiveness and love,” she encouraged.

Henry also reflected on the role of their families, many of whom attended the celebrations. “Without family, we wouldn’t have survived. I’ve been very ill for a long time and if it wasn’t for my wife, our children and our friends I wouldn’t have survived,” said Henry, a four-time cancer survivor.

Marlene added, “This event has been extra special to us. After all he has gone through, my husband’s life has been spared so that we could celebrate 50 years together.”

Making things extra-extra special, the couple announced that they would be flying to the Cape to enjoy a month-long holiday together.