IT was “absolutely” love at first sight for Jean and Merv Marr.
Despite it being 80 years since the pair first locked eyes and 73 years on Wednesday since they became husband and wife, Jean can still recall the exact moment she fell for Merv.
“We were 16, World War II had just started and I was working at the Millewa general store,” Jean said.
“He was a famous yodeller, he had all the girls interested in him as he was a handsome fella.
“He came waltzing into the general store and it was absolutely love at first sight, we were just rapt in one another.”
While love might have come easy for the couple, Jean said it was a trying time for the country.
“Life was hard, the war had just started, Merv had a horse and I had a bike and that was all we had,” she said.
“I was earning $2.50 a week and was left with 70 cents pocket money after paying board, while Merv worked as a shearer.
“Our courting was tough, really tough, we had nothing, we had no money but we survived.”
The pair often attended dances in the Millewa, but before that would meet regularly out the front of the “greengrocer”.
“We would meet there every Sunday,” Jean said.
“All those who were too young to go to war would meet there, and spend time talking and laughing.
“That would happen for years.”
During the war Merv was sent to Melbourne but since his return, Jean said, they had been inseparable.
“When we were 22, Merv finally had saved enough money to get a ring and at last we could get engaged,” Jean said.
“It was then, while I was on holidays in Melbourne, that Merv sent word that we could get married at once, so I went to Myer and purchased the first dress that fit.”
It was on April 21, 1948, that the loved-up couple “finally” became husband and wife.
“She was the pick of the bunch,” Merv said.
Jean added: “Our secret is pure love.
“We were on the land all our life and we did everything together and even now we are together all day long.
“He just loves me to bits and I am rapt in him, he is the cleverest man I have ever met, he could do anything.”
The 96-year-olds are very proud of the life they built together and are particularly proud of their three children, 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
On Wednesday Merv and Jean celebrate their 73rd wedding anniversary with their beloved family.
