Love at first sight for Don and Thelma (From Worcester News)

Love at first sight for Don and Thelma

10:20pm Sunday 30th September 2012 in News By Sarah Davies

IT WAS love at first sight when Don and Thelma Goodyear clapped eyes on each other more than six decades ago, and now the couple have celebrated 60 years of wedded bliss.

They met through friends shortly after Mr Goodyear had completed his service in the Navy and their love blossomed through their mutual interest in dancing.

Mrs Goodyear said: “I was with my friend and I saw these two boys, one I slightly knew, and that’s how we met.

“It was definitely love at first sight. “We always went dancing. “Don had not long come out of the Navy. He was 21 and I was nearly 19 when we got married.”

They were engaged soon after and wed on September 20, 1952, at St John’s Church, Worcester.

The couple, of Whites Road, St John’s, Worcester, went on to raise three children together and are now proud grandparents of seven and great grandparents of eight.

Mr Goodyear, aged 81, who worked at Austin Motor Company for a number of years before taking up a post in the health service, and Mrs Goodyear, aged 78, who was a hospital volunteer for eight years, celebrated their diamond anniversary with a gathering of family and close friends.

Speaking of the secret to their lasting marriage, Mrs Goodyear said: “We’re always together. We look after one another. I believe the reason our marriage has lasted is down to pulling together as much as you can. We’ve got a good family and they always rally round.

“You have ups and downs but everyone does, but you’ve just got to work through it.”