Ron, 85, and Rena, 82, Arnette were married in Tauranga while on holiday from the UK, they later migrated to the city. Photo / George Novak
Ron, 85, and Rena, 82, Arnette were married in Tauranga while on holiday from the UK, they later migrated to the city. Photo / George Novak
Ron and Rena Arnette spontaneously got married in Tauranga on a holiday from the UK on January 10, 1995.
"I couldn't find a dress, there were no dress shops around then. I had to get one from the charity shop. It was white with some black trimmings on it.
"We thought it would be great to get married over here, all that way from home."
* View below to see what people on the street think about Valentine's Day
The couple, who are still married today, are more in love than ever and spent Valentine's Day enjoying each other's company with a stroll through Memorial Park after some dancing on Saturday night.
He tells me he loves me every day. He's romantic too - never forgets a birthday or anniversary. I keep having to tell him, don't buy me any more jewellery, I can't wear it all.
Yesterday morning Mr Arnette gave his wife a Valentine's Day card.
Mrs Arnette said the couple had been together since 1993.
Mr Arnette was born and raised in London but first laid eyes on the love of his life at the age of 58 on a work trip up-country to Lincolnshire.
"He walked into the office, that's when he first set eyes on me. But we really got to know each other through the bowling and the dancing club. It [their love] was as pure as white snow."
Mrs Arnette said the key to their fulfilling marriage was respect.
"I would never upset Ron, and he would never upset me. Ron is a marvellous man, he puts me first all the time.
"He will go where I want to go, I will ask 'where do you want to go' and he will say 'anywhere you do'.
"He's so lovely to get on with, such a lovely man, he puts everybody else forward before himself.
"He tells me he loves me every day. He's romantic too - never forgets a birthday or anniversary. I keep having to tell him, don't buy me any more jewellery, I can't wear it all," she said.
Mr Arnette, now 85, said his wife was "lovely".
"I love to see her happy, that is what it comes down to."
After their trip to New Zealand they decided they would like to call Tauranga home and moved here on September 1, 2008.
The Hawker's Wall owner Emma Cole was run of her feet with hundreds of last minute flower request over the weekend.
"The men in Tauranga were quite a bit more romantic than I thought, it was good old red roses all the way," she said.
The price of love:
* The National Retail Federation estimates that US consumers will spend $19.7 billion on Valentine's Day.
Street View: Do you think Valentine's Day should be celebrated?
''It should be celebrated, it's something couples can look forward too. We had a nice breakfast in bed this morning and an extra lie in.''
Candy Yan, 45, Brookfield
''It should be ignored. It's a commercial American holiday.''
Steve Watson, 44, Welcome Bay
''No, because if you marry the man who loves you then everyday is Valentine's Day.''
Molly Gao, 40, Bethlehem
''Well our wedding anniversary is the day before, so we celebrate that. Have a nice picnice with the kids or something like that.''
Warren Sargent, 38, Bethlehem
