Couple celebrates 81st wedding anniversary decades after friends said they ‘wouldn’t last’

Couple celebrates 81st wedding anniversary decades after friends said they 'wouldn't last'.
Couple celebrates 81st wedding anniversary decades after friends said they ‘wouldn’t last’. Courtesy: ExtraCare Shenley Wood Retirement Village

The U.K.’s longest married couple are living proof that true love lasts a lifetime. Ron and Joyce Bond, aged 102 and 100 respectively, celebrated their 81st wedding anniversary on January 4th of this year.

In light of their record-breaking relationship milestone it may come as a surprise that friends of the couple were uncertain if their marriage would last. However, both husband and wife maintain that it was “love at first sight”. The pair were married at the Newport Pagnell Register Office in 1941 when Ron was 21 and Joyce 19. Ron would go on to serve in World War II.

Ron and Joyce Bond happily married 81 years.
Happily married 81 years. Courtesy: ExtraCare Shenley Wood Retirement Village

When asked the secret to such a long happy marriage Joyce replied “There is no boss in our relationship, we both give and take.”

Ron echoed his wife’s loving sentiment “Sometimes life is hard but we work through it together. We look after each other too.”

The couple celebrated their record-breaking anniversary at their residence in ExtraCare’s Shenley Wood Retirement Village. The occasion was marked by well-wishes from their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As well as an on-air shout-out from BBC Radio 2 DJ Ken Bruce, arranged by their son Bill.

Letter from Queen Elizabeth.
Letter from Queen Elizabeth. Courtesy: ExtraCare Shenley Wood Retirement Village

The previous year the couple received a letter from Queen Elizabeth congratulating them on 80 years of marriage. “How wonderful to hear of your 80th wedding anniversary of January 4th of 2021,” wrote the Queen, “I do hope you enjoy this marvelous occasion”.

When asked of her parents’ marriage their daughter Eileen replied “You only have to look at them to know they love and care for each other, even after 81 years of being married.”

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