"Every day of life is worthy of one's celebration and when a lovely couple like my Facebook friends, Tom and Ann Rhodes, wake up today to mark their 50th year of married life today, they deserve no less than the biggest Cleckheaton cheer their family, friends, and neighbours can give them.
There is a sanctity in every marriage meeting half a century, especially when today, the very first dispute between man and wife is often seen as grounds for divorce. There are many like myself, who have been married more than once, and yet, each time we wed, and the vows 'Until death us do part' were spoken, those sacred words were genuinely meant. For one reason or another, we felt unable to keep our marriage vows, and that is all the more reason that when we come across a loving couple who has kept them for fifty years, marriage continues to be a cause for celebration.
It is impossible to separate your love for each other from the love you feel towards your children and grandchildren. Marriage and children always went together for you two love birds and fifty years of marriage has meant having the pleasure of many grandchildren as the photo shows. Because of your enduring love, Tom and Ann, the world knows that truth, faithfulness and lasting love does exist. It is my dearest wish that you keep these beliefs alive as you continue to cherish one another in a family embrace that will never be broken, in the full knowledge that though the aspect of your love may change, never will its eternal presence.
I have always believed that true love does not happen by happy accident. It is deliberate, it's intentional, it is by heavenly design, and it is purposeful! And in the end, when all of the water has drained from the cooking pot of life, it's well worth it! I don't know how you two love birds first met, but whether it was under the romantic lights on a dance hall as you waltzed to the last dance, or on the back seat of a double-decker bus when you rang each other's bell for the first time, it doesn't matter. However you met, it was obviously meant to be and even if you bumped into each other on the High Street one cold afternoon and you fell for the first man you met in uniform, Ann, I'm sure that the collision was heaven sent.
Have a very happy Golden Anniversary, Tom and Ann, and my wish for you both is that you enjoy the next anniversary, and the next, and the one after that. Lots of love from Sheila and I, and fifty kisses in celebration of your golden day.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" William Forde: December 17th, 2016.