MERRIWA residents Bill (84) and Glenys ‘Glen’ Aylett (80) celebrated their 60th anniversary this month.
Mr Aylett first proposed to her when he was 20 and the then 16-year-old Glen worked in the bank opposite his grandfather’s butcher shop.
He said they recognised each other at the Embassy Ballroom and started dating, and he proposed soon after.
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READ NOWIn shock however, she decided to go to Melbourne on a working holiday with a friend.
“When in Melbourne Glen’s dad rang in tears – mum was very ill and he could not cope, so both girls flew home the next day, intending to return when all was well at home,” he said.
They never did return, and Mr Aylett proposed again and after 10 days they were engaged.
The couple married on April 20, 1957 and had four daughters, who have all married and produced 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
“We have been truly blessed with many years spent in Perth from Yanchep to Port Kennedy, with wonderful memories in Trigg for a long time when children were young,” Mr Aylett said.
The Ayletts moved to the RAAFA Merriwa Estate a decade ago and have spent much of their time since in an old Coaster bus that Mr Aylett made up as a camper home.
“We had a wonderful time seeing our Australia and Tasmania,” he said.
The couple said their secret to a happy marriage was a song by Daniel O’Donnell – Footsteps – and another of his songs was their favourite, The Way That You Are.
“Music has always been a big part of our life,” Mrs Aylett said.
“We found these two beautiful songs and we sing them to each other.”
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