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Bruce Ibbs thought his wife Val wasn't a bad sort when he first laid eyes on her and Val thought Bruce looked all right when she first laid eyes on him. Sixty years on and the couple still have eyes only for each other.
Celebrating the milestone of 60 years of marriage yesterday, Bruce and Val do not have any great secrets for their marriage success other than always talking things through together.
``We never argue, we have never had an argument in our life,'' Bruce said.
``I don't see the point in it. Someone has to back down and say sorry so why do it in the first place? Good communication is important,'' Val said.
While it may not have been love at first sight for the couple when they first met while out with friends, it did not take them long to work their way up to it.
``I couldn't have found anyone better,'' Bruce said
``It's too late now anyway,'' Val laughs then adds, ``I wouldn't swap him for the world, he's one out of the box.''
Bruce and Val married at the Methodist Church in Cohuna on July 29, 1950.
They spent most of their life on a dairy farm at Gannawarra, later farming at Gunbower and have now retired in Echuca. On the farm Bruce worked hard to provide for Val and their three sons, Colin, Greg and Rodney, while Val kept the home fires burning.
``I knew which end of a cow was which, but that was all,'' Val said.
``Val was a good cook and always had good food on the table,'' Bruce said.
The couple have travelled extensively around Australia and have been to Darwin, Perth and Queensland.
``We have seen quite a bit of the country together,'' Bruce said.
While life for the couple is a lot slower now than it used to be, they fill in their days by taking a daily walk or sometimes heading out to the RSL. The still do everything together.
The outdoors remains Bruce's domain. He keeps the garden in tip-top condition while Val still keeps things going on the home front.
With a life full of memories together, the couple agree their sons remain the highlight of their life.
They also have nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
_ Sophie Bruns
