Love at first sight

By Lia Bichel
THEY met on Tuesday, had a date on Wednesday and were engaged on Thursday.
This month, Endeavour Hills couple Doreen and Bill Donaldson will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, holding true to the vows “for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.”
Mrs Donaldson said it was love at first sight when, on 7 December 1960, she and a friend visited a youth centre in the United Kingdom and saw Mr Donaldson playing the piano with his band.
She was 17 at the time, and he was 23.
The next day they went to the cinemas, and on Thursday they went to a restaurant on the beach when he popped the question.
“I was surprised but I didn’t hesitate. I knew he was the one,” she said.
“We couldn’t afford an engagement ring, but I got one on our 25th wedding anniversary.”
They married on 27 May 1961, and shortly after, had two children, Valerie and Stephen. The family moved to Australia in 1968.
Mrs Donaldson said they have been each other’s best friends and had to work through many “ups and downs” including a tragic incident which occurred while on the trip back to the UK four years ago to visit friends and family.
Mr Donaldson suffered a stroke which left him hospitalised for four months, paralysed on the right side of the body and wheelchair bound.
But Mrs Donaldson said it had only made the couple’s relationship stronger.
“The secret to a successful marriage is give and take. You can’t expect everything to be handed to you. You both have to work at it,” she said.
“You need to have trust and to be able to rely on each other. He has always been my strength and gave me pep talks when I was down. Now every morning I wake up and give him a pep talk. There are always people worse off. If your love is strong you work through these things. I can’t imagine life without him.”
Mrs Donaldson said there were a number of things that she loved about her husband.
“His humour, his support, he is just a lovable guy,” she said.
“Everyone that meets him loves him.”
Mr Donaldson, like his wife, also has a kind heart.
They both have been active volunteers at the Endeavour Hills Neighbourhood Centre. Until he had his stroke, Mr Donaldson did handiwork and odd jobs.
Mrs Donaldson contributes several hours a week to the centre and continues to run a computer club for seniors on Thursday mornings.
In their spare time, the couple go to the shops, go for coffee or try their hand at jigsaw puzzles and playing Sudoku.
Mr Donaldson entertains her by playing the piano, though since the stroke he only plays with his left hand. His musical talents have been passed down to his two children. They also have seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
“We have the best memories with our family,” she said.
“Life is good.”
On 29 May, the couple will celebrate their anniversary with 65 family and friends at the Dandenong Club.