It happened over half a century ago.
Half a century and seven years, to be exact.
On October 11, 1957 Simon and Melanie (nee Remy) Mark made the commitment to love each other for the rest of their lives.
It is a relationship that began more than six decades ago, years before they said “I do” to each other.
DNO met with the couple and was impressed at their love for one another and their love for life.
Simon, 83, the most talkative of the two, took on the task of telling the story of their love.
He cannot remember the exact date he first met his wife, now 77, but the first encounter is something that is etched in his mind to this day
At that time, he called, he was a young farmer living with his sister in Tete Morne
He said he was an independent young man and had obtain a piece of land for cultivation in Grand Coulibrie.
He was walking to his piece of land with his donkey when he met her.
“She was a very amicable and beautiful young lady,” he recalled.
The two struck up a conversation and according to Simon, “there was nothing” but he knew that she was fond of him.
“I knew her parents and I think she was probably very fond of me because she went back home to her mam and told her mam about me,” he stated.
The following Sunday Melanie’s mother, who was also from Tete Morne, dropped by his sister’s home and invited him over to the family’s home in Dubique.
He gladly accepted the invitation for somehow he knew, Melanie was going to be his bride.
But it was not going to be that easy, for Melanie’s father demanded a letter for his daughter.
“So I wrote him the letter for her,” he said. “And then things started from there.”
Being a man with an adventurous spirit, Simon, decided to go searching for greener pastures.
And so shortly after sealing his love for Melanie he left Dominica and went to the neighbouring French island of Guadeloupe. He went through what he described as “the backdoor.”
“I had my passport at that time but I was too young and the government would not sign the passport for me,” he explained. “At that time you had to be 21 for the government to sign your passport to travel.”
He spent three years in Guadeloupe before returning to Dominica. He made several more trip to Guadeloupe and in 1956, searching for even green pastures, he set sail for England.
The distance did not slow down the love for each other and one year later, in 1957, Melanie joined him.
That same year, they got married.
The relationship bore four children but life was not always smooth sailing.
“Life is difficult, marriage is difficult but you have to take the rough and the smooth,” Melanie said.
“Marriage and life have ups and downs but you need to have lots of patience to solve your problems,” Simon stated.
The two, who are staunch Catholics, also depended on their faith when tough patches presented themselves.
“We have always been Catholics, we believe in our faith,” Melanie remarked.
However, the two noted that the foundation for a true and long lasting marriage is love.
“Once you love the person, there is no problem,” Simon said. “If there is no love, you can have the whole world but you will be in a struggle. Once there is love, there is no problem.”
The two returned to Dominica from England in 2001.
On Sunday, October 12, Simon was unable to make it to church at the Holy Spirit Chapel in Loubiere for an anniversary blessing because of a problem with his foot but it really didn’t matter to him.
“When you are married the two of you become one,” he said. “Once she was there, I was there also.”
When asked if the two would do it all over again, Simon quickly answered in the affirmative.
“Oh yes man,” he gushed, while his wife nodded in agreement. “Marriage is very good.”
CONGRATULATIONS Simon and Melanie
What a beautiful story.
I appreciate that it is being told realistically. Every marriage has its highs and its lows. But your love and commitment for each other is what gives you the grace and wisdom to work through each difficulty.
There is only one God given model for a true and valid marriage. Our Lord Jesus affirmed it in Matthew 19: 4-8. Your church teaches it. You have followed it!
This is what God intended and how it is meant to be. You are an example to your family and your generation.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
Congratulation to you both may the heavenly father grant you all good health and strength. And may you all see many more days like this. Have a wonderful time.
Lovely couple. He is right, it does not matter how rough the waters get once there is love it will survive. But the love has to be both ways not one cuz love is a two way street.
A wonderful love story and happy ending to 57 years (more to come) of marital bliss. The happy days outnumber the bad ones.
Through thick and thin, with all his travels, they made it. She really loved him to wait for him. He, too, loved her and never forgot her. That is indeed true love. Love conquers all.
I wish both of you many more happy and healthy years to come.
Mr. Simon, take care of your foot. Hope it heals soon.
God bless both of you!
Very Nice.Big Congratulations to you both.
ra
God Bless you two.
That’s so sweet ,when 2people love each other long distance relation is not a problem what so ever
awwwwwwwwwuuuuuuu so nice love tht last pic
Very nice!! Congratulations!!
thank GOD well done hope you all have many more good days I know it can be up and down sometimes but GOD is good be happy a bless day to you all and the rest of the family and friends
Hello and good afternoon my people. Congratulations to both of you and I wish good health to both of you.
This story gave me the chills…”Once there is love”…great example of what a union should be when two persons choose to stay committed.
This made me smile. Marriage still works. I especially love that this couple did not paint a fairy tale but articulated a realistic relationship that includes rough patches that must be worked through. I also noted the important role of their “faith” in their relationship. The younger generation certainly need to take note. Congratulations to you both. May the Lord grant you many more years of togetherness and love.
Congratulations…this story makes my day…there is still hope for marriages to work in todays world.
Amen!
Perfect and unconditional love. I wish we had more of this today. Congratulations
Lovely.
Congratulations to both of you. You all need to teach the younger generation that marriage can still work.
A wonderful love story. Congratulation! Best wishes for good health and long life together.
I do not know u all but none the less, “CONGRATULATIONS” I love ur story
perfect love
Oh gosh, what a sweet and lovely story. Congrats to the couple and best wishes on many more anniversaries to come.
AWWWW this is so nice ….love the story …goood memories
Thanks DNO for a beautiful love story. It makes me feel good to see that true love still exist. No relationship is perfect but with LOVE it can move mountains.
Congratulations to you both….a really sweet love story!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS! This is great news. Very inspiring. Your love is strong. God bless you both. Simon you are a real man. Have a blessed anniversary year and wishing you many more, health, strength and peace.
Your quote must be documented somewhere “Once you love the person, there is no problem,” Simon said. “If there is no love, you can have the whole world but you will be in a struggle. Once there is love, there is no problem.”
What a beautiful couple. The very best to the both of you. Great role models to the younger generation.