‘He’s my toyboy - he’s only 84’: Diamond couple reveal secret to a long and happy marriage
James and Mary Dye were married September 17, 1959. Photo: Contributed - Credit: Archant
A couple who lived their lives and created a business and family around Loddon are about to celebrate their diamond anniversary.
Mary said there is "no secret to a long and happy marriage", but James said: "you just have to be sure at the beginning you found the right girl - I did". Photo: Contributed. - Credit: Archant
Growing up Mary and James (Jimmy) Dye lived not too far from one another in the small towns of Loddon and Chedgrave.
So it was no surprise when they eventually met.
Mary Dye, 90, said: "I lived in Loddon and Jimmy lived in Chedgrave, he used to play football and I used to watch. He did his national service as a reservist and he wrote back to me every day before we got together.
"He's my toy boy - he's only 84. It doesn't matter when we were younger but now he looks after me more."
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James Dye served in the army for three years after they met, when he was called out to Egypt as a reservist while on national service.
He said: "I would play football and cricket and she would come and watch, then I went out into Egypt for three years and came home on leave once so we met then.
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"She used to write to me, we used to write to each other fairly regularly. Then when I came out of the army we took it from there, and we were together for a couple of years before we were married."
The couple were married on September 19, 1959. They went on to have two children, Richard and Peter, as well as two grandchildren. They also set up a successful plumbing business.
Coming up to the sixtieth anniversary of their wedding in Chedgrave church, Mary and James (Jimmy) Dye say their union "does and doesn't" feel like it has been a long time.
Mary said: "We've grown together to sixty years. I don't think there is a secret to a happy marriage. We argue if we need to argue, but we are never really cross with each other."
James said: "The secret to a happy marriage is you've got to pick the right girl first, and I definitely did."
Mr and Mrs Dye will be hosting a celebration for family and friends at their home on September 19.
