AFTER 65 years of marriage, Bob and Roma Hardy still kiss each other goodnight, sleep holding hands and tell each other they love one another every day.
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The Hardys were married at St John’s Presbyterian Church on Peel Street at 11am on May 21, 1949.
Mrs Hardy was originally from Smeaton, while Mr Hardy was born and raised in Ballarat.
Mr Hardy fought in World War II in New Guinea and Great Britain alongside Mrs Hardy’s brother, who she sent cakes to.
“(Mrs Hardy’s brother) told her about me, that I was his best mate, so she sent me a cake too,” Mr Hardy said.
He had seen a photo of Mrs Hardy, but had not thought much of it as her feet were oddly placed in the picture.
“I don’t know what she put in the cake, but when I came home I married her,” he said.
After returning from the war, Mr Hardy rode his bike from Ballarat to Smeaton to thank her for the cake.
From there it started, and within two years they were married.
“It doesn’t seem like it’s 65 years. Although I am a bit stiff in my legs now, so some time must have past,” Mrs Hardy said.
Mr Hardy turns 90 next month and Mrs Hardy is 87.
They have seven children, 19 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Mr Hardy gave his wife a ring to mark their anniversary.
“I always surprise my wife. She does things for me no-one else would,” he said.
“I would never say that her hair was untidy, she’s fat or a bad cook. Those are things you just don’t say about your wife.
“If you get the right partner, marriage is lovely.
“When people don’t find the right partner, it can be really hard. I’m so lucky to have found the right partner.”
Mrs Hardy said it was near impossible to have a relationship without any arguments.
“We’re different so we have to disagree on some things,” she said.
Mrs Hardy admitted there was only one big argument the pair had, and it was over pretty quickly.
Mr Hardy has been in and out of hospital over the past few years.
“At one point they were told it was likely he wouldn’t go home,” Mrs Hardy said.
“No one can take care of me as good as Roma. I’m happier at home,” Mr Hardy said.
“I didn’t like when he was in hospital,” Mrs Hardy added.
“I was there with him from nine till six every day.”
Mr Hardy said each year he was alive was a bonus, but he hoped to still have a few more years together with his wife.
He said what made them work so well together was they worked as a team, and they considered each other equals.
“I wouldn’t ever give him up,” Mrs Hardy said.
nicole.cairns@fairfaxmedia.com.au