I grew up in the countryside, and in 1966, as soon as I turned old enough, I left home and joined the navy. I loved the work and was having the time of my life. After three years, I was given a rare chance to train for a top-secret role at a base in Queensland. Along with two other women, I was set to be sent to Singapore twelve weeks later—until my radio stopped working.
One afternoon during my time in Queensland, I had trouble with my equipment and called for a technician. I expected a quick fix so I could get back to my day, but then the most handsome man I’d ever seen walked in and changed my life forever.
John was calm and collected as he worked, while I was completely speechless, just staring at this gorgeous man. I had no idea how to get his attention, but I was determined to try.
A few days later, there was a casino-themed social event at the base. I spent the whole night following John around, making sure he noticed me. It wasn’t the smoothest move, but it worked—by the end of the night, he’d asked me out.
Our first date was seeing Johnny Farnham (as he was known then) perform at Lennon’s Hotel in Toowoomba, and it was perfect. Over the next six weeks, we stole every possible moment together, and I fell harder for him every day.
As my time at the base neared its end, I still wasn’t sure if John felt as strongly as I did—he always played it so cool. On my last night, he planned a trip to Noosa for surfing and a stay at a motel. In 1969, that was pretty daring, but I didn’t hesitate.
In the middle of the night, he casually asked, “What would you say if I asked you to marry me?” If it was just a hypothetical question, he had no escape. I leaped out of bed, threw myself on him, and screamed, “Yes, yes, yes!” without a second thought.
We set the wedding for October—just a few months later—and I had to leave the navy since married women weren’t allowed to serve back then. While I was back home, John wrote me thirty love letters, full of excitement for our future together. I still have them—it felt like living in a dream.
Then came the day he drove nearly 1,700 kilometers to Menindee, my tiny hometown on the Darling River, 100 kilometers from Broken Hill. When his little red Datsun pulled up the dirt road, my stomach flipped. For a split second, doubt crept in—I couldn’t even remember how tall he was.
But the moment he stepped out of the car, I ran into his arms, and all my worries vanished. The love I felt was overwhelming. I knew this was the best thing that would ever happen to me.
Looking back, we definitely rushed into things—we barely knew each other. As it turns out, we’re complete opposites, but that’s what makes us perfect for each other. My lively personality has kept him engaged all these years, while his calmness has kept me grounded.
Our first child lived only half an hour, and though tragedy doesn’t always bring people closer, it strengthened our bond. When our son and daughter arrived safely in the years that followed, I felt like the luckiest mother alive.
At a time when many husbands weren’t supportive, John encouraged me to study and become a teacher. Just like always, knowing he believed in me made me feel like I could do anything.
To this day, I wonder if it was instinct or just incredible luck. Either way, I’ve been married to the love of my life for over 55 years, so I must have done something right. And he’s still just as gorgeous.He looks just as gorgeous to me today as he did that afternoon in 1969. Being with John has always felt like living under a lucky star – everything just falls into place.
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