Every day is Valentine's day for Ron and Ann (From The Argus)

Every day is Valentine's day for Ron and Ann

2:10pm Saturday 14th February 2009 in News

Love is in the air today – but for one couple it is Valentine’s Day all year round.

They met at a party 50 years ago, fell in love and decided to marry – and there was only one day to tie the knot.

As they celebrate their 50th anniversary today, Ron and Ann Valentine said it was a must that they married on February 14.

It was New Year’s Eve 1957 when a young Ron spotted Ann at a party and asked her to dance.

After a few months of courting, they married at Horsham Parish Church on Valentine’s Day, 1959.

They still live in Horsham and now have a home in Morrell Avenue.

The couple have three children, Neil, Mark and Tracy, and seven grandchildren so family life has kept them busy since they retired from their recruitment business 15 years ago.

Ron, 76, said growing up with such a romantic surname was not always easy.

He said: “I would always get a bit of fun poked out of me at school but Valentine’s Day then wasn’t like it is now.

It can be difficult trying to book seats at a restaurant, especially on Valentine’s Day.”

Ann, 69, was delighted to take Ron’s name when they married.

Since that day he has treated her to some unusual Valentine’s Day surprises.

She said: “We have been very lucky. We have had a wonderful marriage and simply enjoy being together.

“Ron is very romantic. On our 30th wedding anniversary he arranged for me to spend two hours in a tiger enclosure. I did ask for it – I love tigers.

"Another year he got us a flight on Concorde which was amazing.”

Ann attributes their successful marriage to a simple formula: “Life throws problems at you but we do not make our own.”

Their daughter Tracy said: “They are a lovely couple and are lovely parents to me and my brothers. They have always been very close.”

The Valentines are celebrating today with a lunch for family and friends at Horsham Cricket and Sports Club.

Son Neil has travelled over from his home in Gozo for the party.

Did you receive a Valentine's Day proposal? If so let us know by calling 01273 544538.