Happily ever after

They say love is timeless, and happy new beginnings can turn up unexpectedly at any stage in life.

For residents Derek and Wendy, who met two years ago, this certainly rings true. In September, the delightful couple celebrated their relationship with a beautiful wedding ceremony in the place where it all began – Hibiscus Coast Village.

“Our wedding service was in the Holy Trinity Church in nearby Silverdale, and the following reception at our village was the icing on the cake. It was absolutely beautiful.

Wonderful staff worked so hard to transform the communal area into a fairy tale wedding venue,” says Wendy. “Catherine, (Village Manager) Emilita, (Duty Manager) Wendy, (Activities Coordinator) and the whole management team just thought of everything to make our day extra special, even helping me decide on the ‘frock’.

The food was spectacular, thanks to our amazing village chefs, with the kitchen team still washing dishes the next day!”

The newlyweds met when Wendy approached ‘new resident’ Derek to enquire if he was interested in joining the village choir.

“Whenever someone new moves in, I ask if they’d like to join our choir. He said yes, and that’s how we got to know each other as friends,” says Wendy, who is also a member of the village line-dancing group.

“I said yes to the choir, but drew the line at the dancing,” said Derek.

“That was my second question,” laughs Wendy.

Earlier this year, the couple realised their relationship had flourished beyond friendship when they recognised just how much they enjoyed each other’s company.

“We are very relaxed around each other and communicate so well. Every day, we have a few laughs, and when you’re used to being on your own, as both of us have lost our lifetime partners, it’s a very welcome feeling,” says Derek.

“And, at our age, there’s no point waiting until next year or the year after!” adds Wendy.

As their feelings for each other were growing, the couple went on separate, pre-booked overseas holidays, giving them time apart to really test things.

“Wendy went to Australia to visit family while I went on an organised tour through Vietnam and Cambodia, which is where I bought her engagement ring,” says Derek.

“We’d discussed it, and I knew she had wished for an emerald, however I’m colourblind, so I had to enlist the eyes and guidance of my tour guide to ensure I got the right rock!”

“He did very well,” says Wendy who proudly presents a beautiful emerald and diamond sparkler on her left hand.

For several months, Derek and Wendy kept their courtship a secret, “which is actually very difficult to do in a friendly retirement village,” Derek laughs.

The couple, who have six children between them, wanted to break the news to their families first and admit the respective relatives were a little shocked initially.

“I received a concerned call from my daughter, as she didn’t know I was in a new relationship,” says Derek. “I was happily married to their Mum for 55 years before she passed away, and Wendy was married for almost 60 years.”

Since then, the two families have met each other and together were thrilled to attend their parents’ happy occasion in September.

The newlyweds spent their honeymoon enjoying a road trip around the Coromandel and bird-watching in Miranda, and now are looking forward to many more trips together.

“We’ve booked a trip to Norfolk Island early next year. We both love to travel, but this village is home. We have a large friends network at the village, and we’re very involved with lots of village activities,” says Wendy.

“With Wendy, there’s never a dull moment!” beams Derek.