John and Christine have shared what they believe is the key to a long-lasting relationship
John and Christine will soon celebrate their 51st Valentine’s Day together(Image: Supplied by Care UK)
A couple in Beverley are preparing to spend their 51st Valentine’s Day together as husband and wife. John Brett, who lives at Care UK’s Chapter House on Keldgate, is reminiscing with his wife Christine on more than half a century of marriage.
The couple hope to inspire and offer advice to younger people. They said the key to a long-lasting relationship is having a good sense of humour.
So much so that they say making each other laugh is how they both fell for each other. The couple were introduced by a mutual friend in 1971.
From there, Christine said it was love at first sight – or rather love at first laugh. She recalled: “From that initial meeting, John made me laugh, he was very funny.”
The couple, who lived in Grimsby most of their lives, tied the knot in 1974, and share two daughters, Louise and Laura, and three grandchildren. As well as lots of laughter, they also believe ‘being patient with one another’ to be particularly important at creating a close bond.
Christine, who visits John every day, added: “We were lucky to have met each other.” To celebrate their 51st Valentine’s Day as a married couple, the team at Chapter House will be treating them to a private dining experience, featuring a special menu prepared by the home’s chef.
Patricia Jamieson, Home Manager at Chapter House, said: “Christine and John have fantastic sense of humour, and they bring a lot of joy to the home. They spend most of their time together, and you can tell they are each other’s rock, which is truly inspiring.
“Moving into a care home doesn’t mean the end of celebrating special milestones. Valentine’s Day is a date many couples who live with us look forward to every year, so we’ve truly enjoyed planning a special celebration to help Christine and John celebrate their 51st Valentine’s Day as a married couple. It has been lovely to hear more about Christine and John’s story, and we hope their advice will inspire others in the community!”
Chapter House has been designed to encourage residents to live active and fulfilling lives, whilst remaining as independent as possible in a safe environment. The state-of-the-art care home features a cinema, hair and beauty salon and café, and incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suite and couples’ suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to facilitate close relationships amongst residents.
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