While holidaying in Paekakariki they went for a night walk to the summit of the Paekakariki Hill Rd.
"He reckoned it was altitude, and didn't know what he was saying, and asked me to marry him."
They married on February 15, 1947, in the St Cuthbert's Anglican Church in Berhampore.
The wedding day is vividly etched in their memory because the day included a raging southerly storm, which the couple would later learn was the worst February storm the capital had experienced in 100 years, later to be surpassed by the storm that capsized the Wahine in April 1968.
Heather's veil was blown away as she struggled up the church steps prompting her brother to chase it and retrieve it, a bagpiper couldn't play, the photographer was blown over and his camera smashed, only half the guests arrived, and they found the golf club hall awash with water when they arrived for the reception.
They intended going to Paekakariki for their honeymoon but as all the roads were blocked they spent their first night in a garage in Willis St where their caravan was stored.
"Next day the sun came out and we started our married life full of optimism with only four pounds between us," said Robert, who worked in motor engineering.
The couple have three sons, two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
