Maintaining a Happy Marriage for 33 Years: A Love Story & Photo Shoot

Mar 4, 20233 min read

Welcome to my latest blog post where I am excited to share with you a heartwarming story about a family that holds a special place in my heart.

The Arendse Family, Nancy and Elton, have been a part of my life since I was a little boy. I have had the privilege of witnessing their love story unfold, from Nancy's 21st birthday party to their wedding day.

I still remember attending Nancy's 21st birthday party, where she celebrated with 21 boys and girls who danced the night away with candles, creating a beautiful 21 sign and champagne glasses on a heel step dance. It was a joyous occasion filled with love and laughter, and I felt honoured to be a part of it.

I was honoured once again to be a part of Nancy and Elton's wedding day. This time, I was promoted to a miniature groom, whoop, whoop. The wedding was a beautiful celebration of their love, and I felt privileged to be able to witness and capture these precious moments on camera.

It's worth noting that the photographer who took their photographs, Raymond van Diemel, was the very person who mentored and introduced me to the world of photography. Thanks to him (and his friends), I have been able to pursue my passion for capturing the special moments in people's lives, including weddings.

As a wedding photographer, I have had the honour of witnessing countless love stories unfold, and it's always a humbling experience to be able to capture these precious moments on camera. I feel grateful to have been a part of the Arendse family's love story, and I wish them many more years of happiness and love.

If you're looking for a wedding photographer or family photographer in Cape Town to capture your special day, I would be honoured to be a part of your love story. Please feel free to reach out to me for more information about my services.

Here is a little interview I did with Nancy.

Alric: Hi there! We have a special guest today who has been happily married for 33 years and is celebrating her anniversary soon. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Nancy: Hi, thanks for having me. My name is Nanci , and I have been married to my husband, Elton, for 33 years now. We have two children, Gabriella and Tatum, and we have been enjoying our retired life at home. We are both jazz followers, and we love to enjoy music and love together.

Alric: That sounds amazing! Can you tell us about how you and your husband met and fell in love?

Nancy: Sure! My uncle and I met my husband, Elton, in 1983, and it was love at first sight for us. We were lovebirds for five years, and in 1989, we got engaged in front of God's holy altar in the New Apostolic church. The following year, in 1990, we got married, and I am so grateful to God for blessing me with a husband who is like a diamond to me.

Alric: That's a beautiful love story. How have you been able to maintain a happy marriage for so long?

Nancy: For me, putting God first in all our marriage decisions has been the key to our happy marriage. We always make sure to communicate with each other and work through any issues we may have. We also try to keep the love and passion alive by enjoying things together, like our love for jazz music.

Alric: That's great advice. So, you mentioned that you are celebrating your 33rd wedding anniversary soon. How are you planning to celebrate?

Nancy: Yes, we are so excited to celebrate! We are planning to go to the Houhoek hotel, where there will be seven different bands playing. We love to dance and enjoy music, so we are looking forward to a night filled with love, music, and dancing.

Alric: That sounds like an amazing celebration! So, what advice would you give to couples who are just starting their journey together?

Nancy: My advice would be to always put God first in your marriage and to make sure to communicate with each other. Also, don't forget to have fun and enjoy each other's company. It's important to keep the love and passion alive by finding things that you both enjoy doing together.

Alric: Thank you for sharing your insights with us, and congratulations on your 33rd wedding anniversary! It was a pleasure having you on the blog.

Nancy: Thank you so much for having me. It was great to be here.