Kisses seal all 60 years

LONG-LASTING LOVE: Ross and Barbara Strachan celebrate 60 years of marriage today. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR

The secret to longevity in marriage could be as simple as a kiss good night.

Barbara and Ross Strachan will today celebrate their Diamond wedding anniversary and are still just as in love after 60 years of marriage.

"We have never gone to sleep without a kiss, that's a big rule," Barbara said.

They have also never had an argument in their six decades together.

"We discuss things and listen to each other, we never yell," Barbara said.

Barbara and Ross have been congratulated for their extraordinary feat by the Prime Minister, Governor General and her majesty the Queen.

"I burst into tears when I saw that, I couldn't believe it," Barbara said.

The couple come from contrasting backgrounds. Barbara was raised in a "privileged" family, always surrounded by friends and families.

Ross on the other hand lost his father while he was at primary school and was raised by his mother.

When a 20-year-old Ross arrived at the Pakowhai School ball all those years ago he spotted 15-year-old Barbara from across the room.

"We had a dance and the rest is history."

Ross would bike the 30 minutes to Barbara's house where she would be waiting at the end of the driveway to meet him.

Following four years of movie, speedway and dancing dates, Ross worked up the nerve to ask Barbara's parents' permission to wed their daughter.

The couple were married at the St Andrews Presbyterian church in Hastings on March 31.

The couple now aged 85 and 80, have three children, 10 grandchildren and five grandchildren.