By BRAD PERRY

AFTER nearly seven decades of marriage, Renmark couple Russ and Mary Mead’s love is stronger than ever and this Valentine’s Day the pair will be quietly reflecting on a lifetime of ups and downs.

Celebrating their 67th anniversary last Saturday, the former fruit blockies admitted they have been lucky to share each other’s company for so many years.

“I think we are happier together now than ever before,” Russ said.

“We need one another very badly,” Mary added.

The pair met at the Port Adelaide Congregational Church at a young age and from the moment he saw her, Russ knew there was something special about Mary.

“There was this very nice young lady there (at the church) and that is where we met,” he said.

At their wedding in 1943, Russ admits there were some nervous moments, as Mary was 45 minutes late because of a blood nose.

After Russ’ stint in the police force, he returned home to the block in 1947 and brought city bred Mary back with him, building a house at 27th Street in Renmark in 1949.

“I became a blockie’s wife,” Mary laughed.

While both Russ and Mary said arguments have frequented their relationship, as happens with any couple, they said 57 years working on a fruit block can certainly cause stress.

“We have had our arguments but you forget about those,” Mary said.

Russ said the secret to their marriage is simple.

“There is an old saying that you never go to sleep on an argument and we don’t,” he laughed.

Running such a busy life travelling around the country due to his involvement in the fruit industry, Russ decided to take Mary on a memorable trip in the 1970s, to make up for some lost time.

“We spent five months travelling through Europe, Greece, Turkey, parts of England, Canada and the US,” Russ said.

“It was enjoyable.”

Russ and Mary have two children, four grandchildren and one great grandchild, who they admit have always kept them busy.

Volunteering on local committees and, in the past, singing in choirs together, certainly helped keep the spark alive.

These days Russ, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, and Mary often look back on a happy life together and believe they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We look after one another now,”

Russ said.

“I often say we’ve had a wonderful life as long as we have worked together,”

Mary smiled.