Dance of a lifetime
Carmel and Ray met at a dance when Carmel was 17 and Ray was 21. Ray says he fell instantly in love with her and wanted to marry her right away, but Carmel’s parents wouldn’t allow it until she reached 21 years of age. So for 4 years, Ray waited for her. He traded his motorbike for a car so he was allowed to take her out, and they would meet at the Saturday night dance once or twice a month. On Carmel’s 21st birthday, Ray proposed. They’ve spent their whole lives “dancing ever since.” When they stopped going to dances, they would dance at home in their living room. When asked what his favorite part about their lives together has been, Ray responded, “I think just getting to come home to Carmel every day, knowing she was there, and knowing that I loved her that much. It was just wonderful to come home to her.” These lovebirds have been married for 62 years, and still consider home to be in each other’s arms.