It was love at first sight for Norwich couple Frank and Jean Pond who have just celebrated 65 years of happy marriage.
Mr and Mrs Pond, 91 and 89, who live in the St Clements Hill area of the city, first met in 1944 through their interests in art and music and the couple's first date was a walk on Mousehold Heath.
Seven years later, on March 17 1951, they wed at Old Meeting House in Colegate.
Mrs Pond, whose maiden name was Jean Moore, said: 'It was a lovely day. Although it rained it didn't seem to matter because it was such a happy occasion. It was just really lovely.'
The couple, who are both originally from Norwich and have lived in Norwich throughout their married life, went on to have two daughters, Elizabeth and Kathryn, and now also have seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mrs Pond had a career as a teacher, working for many years at Avenue Road Infant and Junior Schools, while Mr Pond's career was in social work. Mrs Pond was also a Blue Badge Guide in Norwich and until recently Mr Pond regularly played his own compositions on the cello at the annual Holocaust Memorial Service at St Peter Mancroft Church. Mr Pond is also a member of the Norwich 20 Group, including being chairman for two years from 1997, and Mrs Pond is an honorary member of the group.
When asked about their highlights over the last 65 years, Mrs Pond said: 'Just doing all the things we love to do - art, music, walking.
'We had a very happy time with the girls growing up and the grandchildren growing up. We have been very blessed with all that we have been able to do and all that we can still do.'
She said give and take was the key to a happy marriage.
'We are very close to each other but we are different personalities and think differently. To be able to give and take is a great art and if people can do that, then that is a big success.'
Mr Pond added that he felt that they were very lucky, and he said that they knew when they first met that they would marry.
Sixty-five years after their wedding day they celebrated their landmark anniversary with a lovely day with their two daughters who, after a family lunch, entertained them with the music of Bach and Beethoven.
Do you know somebody celebrating a landmark anniversary? Email locallife@archant.co.uk
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