It was love at first sight for diamond couple Edna and Patrick
A Wednesbury couple have not let the restrictions imposed by coronavirus stop them celebrating 60 years of marriage.
While unable to go out and celebrate with their family, Patrick and Edna Clynes were still able to enjoy their diamond anniversary and reflect on the time they have been together.
They enjoyed a day together watching the television and talking to their family over the phone, as well as reading the congratulatory card they were sent from the Queen.
Patrick said the couple first met outside Elwells, on St Paul's Road, in 1959 while Patrick was working as a furnaceman at Bescot Drop Forgings across the road.
He said: "I was going home one day and we just sort of bumped into each other outside Elwells.
"After I had some problems at Bescot, I left and moved over to Elwells and we started courting from there, going to dances.
"I guess you could say it was love at first sight, because it just seem obvious to both of us."
It proved a short courtship as the couple were married at St Mary's Catholic Church in Wednesbury just six months later, tying the knot on April 2, 1960.
Reasons
After some money issues early on which saw the couple living in lodgings, they were able to get a council house and begin their married life together.
This led to the couple having five children, with the oldest Karen being born just a year after they were married, as well as eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Patrick said he thought one of the reasons for their long marriage was knowing that you will disagree but realising that this is part of marriage.
He said: "You're not always going to think the same throughout your married life and you're going to have your differences, which we've never kept inside.
"The spark is still there after 60 years though. I'll wonder why she didn't give me a kiss goodbye when I go out, for example.
"I think if you love each other, you have your ups and downs, but that is how a marriage works."
