For 60 years, one Echuca couple has been joined in holy matrimony, sharing the highs and lows of life.
Max, 87, and Theresa Jacobs, 82, met at a St Mary’s dance.
“Both living in the same town, we knew each other,” Mrs Jacobs said.
“But the St Mary’s dances were always good for that sort of thing.”
Mrs Jacobs said she knew he was the one after three years of being together.
“After a couple of years, we got engaged, and maybe 12 months after that, we had our wedding,” she said.
The two married in St Mary’s Church, Echuca, on January 4, 1964.
Although they have been happily together for six decades, Mrs Jacobs said they had put in the work.
“It’s not all clear sailing; we all have our ups and downs, but we always end up right,” she said.
“You have to work hard and that’s what we did.”
The Jacobs have four sons together and consider them the highlight of the marriage.
“We’ve been very lucky; we’ve got four sons — Paul is our eldest, then Andrew, Michael and Dean,” she said.
“They’re all spread out now with one in Melbourne, one in Anglesea and one in Beechworth and the last still living in Echuca.”
They are also the grandparents to four grandchildren — Ruby, Eliza, Gretta and Gabriel. They feel blessed to have them.
In the lead-up to their anniversary, Mr and Mrs Jacobs received cards from multiple prominent figures, including King Charles and Queen Camilla, the prime minister, premier and local politicians.
“It was very exciting to receive all of those lovely cards,” Mrs Jacobs said.
The couple has always been community-minded, attending St Mary’s and St Joe’s and, later in life, volunteering within Echuca.
“For 25 years, I’ve been running the cancer luncheon, which has kept me busy,” Mrs Jacobs said.
In 2018, she was shortlisted in the Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards in the category of service.
When looking back on their 60 years together, Mrs Jacobs said that family and togetherness were what stuck out to her.
“Our children is the highlight and working together as well,” Mrs Jacobs said.
“I hope the young couples of today are doing the same thing.”
The two celebrated their anniversary on December 6, surrounded by friends and family.