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PARTNERS FOR LIFE

By GEORGE HENRY, STAR WRITER

Allan and Advira Powell pose for the camera, while showing that they are still as close as they have been since they met more than 50 years ago. - George Henry

Spaldings, Clarendon: ALL ACROSS THE world couples are busy filing for divorce after short marriages, yet in 50 years this idea has never crossed the minds of Allan and Advira Powell of Williamsfield in Manchester.

The loving couple celebrated their Golden Anniversary on Saturday April 24. The occasion was attended by more than 160 persons.

Allan, who hails from Orange Hill near Long Look in North West Clarendon and Advira who is from Comfort in Manchester, in reminiscing on their two and a half score years of marriage, said it was the best thing that could have happened to them.

Allan, who is now 78, told THE WEEKEND STAR that his trip from Clarendon to reside in Manchester came when he proposed to his 'most beautiful bride' at the age of 28. The 'woman of his dreams' who was two years older than him gave him the answer any young man could have wanted to hear.

Allan said Advira told him she would be willing to tie the knot, but there was one cavet - he had to give his heart to God. Allan agreed and on March 14, 1954 they said I do.

"When I met 'Sister P' I was not a church man, but I decided that I was not going to get married to any unsaved woman. She was very beautiful, as she still is now, and I really wanted to marry her. Even though life was not all that great at the time, I decided that I wanted her in my life. I really wanted to marry to her that I could get saved, because I never wanted to roam the world", said Mr. Powell

As her hubby of 50 years spoke 'Sister P's' face lit up with a broad smile.

Sister P said she saw in Allan someone who would be able to help her father her children in the proper way. The couple have nine children.

Being married for 50 years has not been easy. However, they have been able to weather the storms, as God has always been at the centre of their lives.

"If I should live my life over again, I would want to marry Sister P again. We have lived together as one for so long, we have never had any fuss. Nobody outside cannot say they have ever heard our differences, because we have been quick to settle them well and we are the best of friends and will always be. We have always been happy and we are even more happy right now", said Mr. Powell.

Sister P, says the same. "I would marry to him again, because I don't think I would be able to find another partner with whom I could get along with as how we both get along now. He and God are my best friends now, along with my nine children", she said.

Allan claims there were other suitors who were rejected. "I turned down plenty propositions to get married, because the women who asked me in those days never had qualities like my darling wife Advira. When I saw Advira I had to run and tell my father, and I told him that if she was not my wife I don't know what I would do," said Mr. Powell.

Giving their secrets on the 50-year marriage plan, Mr. Powell said both persons should not be 'fire'. "One should play the role of being water. If the two of you are fire and the fire start to burn, there is nothing to quench it. So one of you must be water. Couples should be gentle with each other, give a soft answer most times and all will be alright".

Errol, one of the Powell's son said it was great to attend a Golden Anniversary celebration. Errol is married for more than 25 years and looks forward to following in his parent's footsteps.

"The occasion was fantastic and it meant a whole lot to me. It is a milestone that very few people will ever reach. Look at Britney Spears who only got married for four hours. Some persons only live out their marriage for a week, but this is 50 years, it is wonderful", said Errol.