LOVE IS IN THE AIR - Cape couples celebrate mekaar this Valentine's Day

ROSES are red, violets are blue, never forget our favourite reader is you.

​It’s the month of love, and this weekend, you can feel the love all around ahead of a very special Valentine’s weekend.

​The Daily Voice spoke to four Cape Town couples about what their secret ingredient is to keep their love alive.

OUD MAAR NOG NIE KOUD

For newlyweds Ralph Brink, 76, and his wife Bridgid Brink, 64, their beautiful love story proves the old saying “oud maar nog nie koud”.

​Ralph lost his first wife 18 years ago, and Bridgid lost her husband in February 2023. 

Neither thought they would ever remarry. And if you told them a few years back that they were going to stand in front of the altar together on 31 May 2025 and tie the knot, hulle sal jou seker uitgelag het.

​The Ravensmead paartjie said hulle is nog outyds and did everything mooi en netjies.

​Ralph explained: “We all knew each other over the years, including our former partners, as we were at the same church. But never did we think that we would end up together. 

“I believe our relationship is God-ordained. The flesh did not play a role, but we stood on the word, that says, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God’. 

“It all happened so fast; it was not planned. When Bridgid and I got together, for the first time in 18 years, I thought about marriage again. And decided I want to make her my wife.

​“It was a huge adjustment, but it was easy because she loves and understands me. I don’t want to see her cry, instead I want to make her happy, and I like making her laugh.”

​Bridgid added: “Ralph is a gentleman with a good sense of humour. He still opens doors for me and treats me like a lady. He has the utmost respect for me, which makes me feel good. 

“One of the positive aspects in our relationship is communication. And we don’t stay mad at each other; we sort out our differences. 

“​What made the decision easy for me was the fact that my sisters and my mother adore Ralph, and our children also supported us. We did not have to worry about how we were going to tell them.”

​Ralph and Brigid said their wedding day was a beautiful surprise as they spent only R250 and did not give out a cent for their honeymoon.

IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH​

In sickness and in health, Esme, 68, and Anton Fortuin, 69, are sticking to their vows 50 years later. 

The Ravensmead couple has raised five children and have been rewarded with nine grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

The couple met while in their teens, as Anton was friends with Esme’s brother.

​Anton is ‘n man van min woorde, but according to Esme they got married at the age of 19 and 20 on 11 December 1976 after they unexpectedly fell pregnant.

​She said: “I don’t know how we ended up dating. It was tough in the beginning, but what kept us together was our children. 

​”I realised how much my husband meant to me when he got a stroke in 2018, and his health declined. I imagined what my life would be like without him, because we were always together.

​”What kept us together for 50 years is that when there is an argument, we just keep quiet, and when we have both cooled down, we can talk calmly. 

“It is also important to say how much you love your partner and how much they mean to you. Don’t wait till they are in the grave or on a sick bed.”

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

Youngsters Keane, 25, and Kaylene Sinclair, 24, from Elsies River, will be celebrating four years of marriage.

​The two met at work and instantly ignited a spark. 

Although many thought they were too young, proving that age is just a number. They are now parents to two kids.

​Kaylene shared: “We became very close after we discovered that both of us wanted the same thing. On 26 September 2020, we went to Signal Hill on our first actual date, where he asked me to be his girlfriend. 

“Exactly ten months later, after many conversations of wanting to get married and building a life together, he proposed on 1 July 2021. 

“There was no fancy restaurant, no fancy dinner, no surprise, just him and me in my room, and that was more than enough for me. 

​“Everyone couldn't understand why so soon. Most people even thought I was expecting, and that's why we got married so quickly. But there are no regrets.

​”It was a total shock for our families. They were also not ready and thought that we were moving too fast. But everyone came along, and our families helped us plan a successful wedding. 

​”Married life has been a huge life lesson, but we grew together. We learned to build each other up, we learned partnership and we moulded each other. 

“What keeps us going is small, cute gestures by going out on dates, buying each other gifts, just the little things that matter. 

“But mostly, it’s by making God the centre of our marriage. Most young people are afraid of marriage, but your life doesn't stop after marriage.”  

BE MY VALENTINE

For Melvyn Dean, 49, and Lovedalia Dean, 48, from Delft, the lovebirds met unexpectedly on a Valentine’s Day jare terug and will be celebrating 25 years of marriage on 4 August.

​Melvyn explained: “My friend was dating Lovedalia’s cousin, so this Valentine’s Day I went to look for my friend at their house. I was kitted in my red and white. 

“And that was when Lovedalia came out with an attitude. I’m not going to lie it was love at first sight,” laughs Melvyn.

​“Later that night, we all went to a party, and that was when I saw Lovedalia again, and the rest is history. 

“We have a good relationship, twenty-five years requires a lot of communication, respect and honesty. But she is my best friend."