Six-week romance that's lasted 50 golden years (From Echo)

Six-week romance that's lasted 50 golden years

3:00pm Friday 30th July 2010 in

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WHIRLWIND romances which go the distance are usually the stuff of Hollywood legends – but not for one Basildon couple.

Pamela Anderson famously married rocker Tommy Lee after knowing him for just 96 hours. Their relationship didn’t last.

But for Elsie and Terry Higgins, who got hitched within six weeks of meeting, their love is still going strong after half a century.

The couple, of New Waverley Road, Noak Bridge, are raising a toast to their golden wedding anniversary, a date most sceptics thought would never come.

Elsie, 71, said: “Our friends and family, everyone, said it wouldn’t last. They all thought we were rushing into it, but we just knew we were right for each other.

“We met, fell in love and within six weeks we tied the knot. I think we can safely say we’ve proved them all wrong.

“It’s 50 years on and we’ve got three children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and we are very happy together still.”

The couple met during an outing when they both lived in East London. They married at Stratford Register Office and never looked back.

Elsie said: “Shortly after we got married, we moved down to Basildon to get a house. We’ve lived in the area ever since and raised our family here.”

So, in a world where almost 45 per cent of marriages end in divorce, what is the secret to wedded bliss?

Elsie said: “It’s not rocket science. It’s just sticking together and sorting your problems out.

“I think you have to be realistic that you are going to have a lot of ups and downs, but you have to work through them. It’s not easy, but that’s marriage.

“We’ve had times when we wouldn’t speak to each other for ages, especially in the early days, but you learn to laugh about it in the end.”

Both Elsie and Terry are now retired.

Elsie said: “We both worked.

“I always worked in shops or took any job I could to get some money in.

“Terry was in the Army for a long time, then worked as a transport manager.”

The couple are celebrating with meals, parties and gatherings with their three sons and huge extended family Elsie said: “We absolutely adore our family. They are our lives.

“We want to thank them for everything they’ve done to help us celebrate our special day.”