BY MICHAEL FINDLAY, STAR Writer
Left: Edward and Maude Walters signing the bridal registry on their wedding day in 1956. Right: Edward and maude renewing their vows earlier this year - CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
FOR EDWARD (EDDIE) Walters and Maude Walters, nee Squire, both age 77 years, having known each other from childhood (71 years ago as a matter of fact), you could say they grew into loving each other.
Apart from the ages, the Walters have a lot in common. Both are from the small town of Watermount, St. Catherine and attended the same elementary school where they sat exams together. Mr. Walters explains that there was this great friendship they had from the early years and this was before they became lovers. Now residing in Willowdene, St. Catherine, (having returned from England after 38 years), the Walters got married in 1956 having had one year of serious courtship. It all happened after they both migrated to England in 1951 and went in opposite directions, she to Nottingham in the North and he to Birmingham in the South, where they studied nursing and Public Health, respectively. Mr. Walters said they still communicated as friends. He had made a vow that he would never get married until he could buy a house.
TURNING POINT
The turning point came, therefore, in 1954. "I wrote Maude a letter stating simply, I have a house, will you marry me, her answer was yes", he said laughingly.
Mr. Walters stated that he found love and understanding to be the most endearing quality in his wife, while Mrs. Walters looking on lovingly quipped that her husband was very kind and gentle. "He is very helpful, when I'm tired and we never had a big quarrel that I can remember," she added. This brought a look of amusement on the face of Mr. Walters.
The Walters think that lack of communication along with little trust and honesty are the major problems why so many marriages break up today and to cap it all they believe that God should be central in a relationship, and furthermore couples should abide by their marital commitments.
The success of their marriage has definitely influenced their only child, Joan, who is married and living in England where she works as a journalist.
The Walters have further advice on relationships. They think that apart from loving one another, couples should have patience, be supporting financially and spiritually which serves as the recipe for a good marriage.
RENEWED VOWS
To celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, the Walters went back to church to give God thanks and ask for his continual blessings. They also renewed their marital vows and culminated the activities with a dinner at a restaurant with a number of guests.
During the interview, Mr. Walters did most of the talking while Mrs. Walters looked on in a quiet and reverent manner with the occasional responses and an infectious giggle.
In ending, Mr. Walters final advice, which came after a persistent nudge from his wife, was that couples should pray when there is a misunderstanding between them and this should be done before they retire to bed.
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