Francine Black, Staff Reporter

Charles and Ruby Lawrence ...celebrating 48 years of marriage. - francine black

It was one dance at a party that made Ruby and Charles Lawrence fall in love with each other and, ultimately, led to 48 years of happy marriage for the couple.

The two met at a party, and after a dance together they have been inseparable. According to Mr Lawrence, who was 20 years old when he met his wife, they met on August 3, 1959, while at a dance in Facey, St Catherine. "We started talking and things just progressed from there," Mr Lawrence said.

Both had such a good time together that Mrs Lawrence, then 22, took Mr Lawrence home to meet her parents, and they began to date. Things progressed pretty quickly for the couple who got married 10 months after they first met.

The couple was married on May 11, 1960 at the Bethel Baptist Church in Bog Walk. It was a small ceremony attended by about 60 close family members and friends.

Lost sheep in a pasture

Later that year, in August, Mr Lawrence moved to England to work with the British Rail Service as a dispatcher. Although Mrs Lawrence joined him five months later, the couple, who are hardly apart, found it difficult being away from each other. "The five months I spent away from her, I was like a lost sheep in a pasture," he said.

He said the first money he got he sent for her and the reunion brought with it its own present. Mrs Lawrence went to England on February 13 and on November 13 the couple's first child was born. Two more children followed soon after.

Mrs Lawrence said communication and ensuring that they did not grow to be angry with each other helped to hold their marriage together. "We never go to our bed not speaking to each other. We love each other. I don't see anything that come between us that either of us say we are not going to stay," she said.

Strong qualities

Both noted that there were strong qualities in their partner that they loved. Both described the other as kind and said each sacrificed to ensure that their family was happy and comfortable. "He is a very kind man, he cares for his family. When we were in England it was very hard and we always went without things to make our children get what they need," Mrs Lawrence said.

Mr Lawrence said the longer he is with his wife, the stronger the relationship. "The longer we are together is the more we love each other. I love her more now than I did when we just married," he said.

The two, who now reside in Linstead, St Catherine, said they are looking forward to many more years together with even more happy and meaningful moments.

Charles and ruby Lawrence, their three children and their families. - francine black