Rex & Valerie Cowley
When Rex Cowley spotted Valerie Harris across an Auckland dance hall in 1949, he thought to himself, “She’s a bit of all right” and immediately wanted the next dance with her.
But Val, as she’s known, was only 17 and had come to Ye Olde Pirate Ship – a two storey dance hall in Milford – on a date with another chap, who Rex knew.
“I didn’t care,” smiles Rex, 92. “I asked her to dance and we just hit it off straight away. It was love at first sight.”
“When we finished that first dance,” adds 90-year-old Val, “I said to him, ‘Thank you very much… I know the story of your life now’ and he hasn’t stopped talking since then!
“I knew that night he was the one too. And from then on, we went to every dance together. Our favourite was the Peter Pan cabaret at the top of Queen Street. I used to hide Rex’s booze – a half bottle of rum – in my stockings because they used to frisk the blokes but not the ladies.”
As the spry pair sit chatting to the Weekly from their apartment in Arvida Mayfair Auckland retirement community, Val rests her hand on her husband’s knee and shares that they still feel in love 70 years of wedded bliss later.
When they first met, Rex had just joined the NZ Navy as an apprentice engineer. He popped the question to Val, a talented seamstress, before being deployed to the UK for three years.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 04, 2023-Ausgabe von New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 04, 2023-Ausgabe von New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Courteney's friendly ghost 'MATTHEW VISITS ME'
The actor tells how her late co-star is still there for her
Talking to the animals ZOOKEEPER'S AMAZING BOND
It's been a wild ride and one Christine will miss on her tamer new chapter
No to parenthood 'OUR SHOCKING TV CONFESSION'
Creative couple Ankita and Calvin reveal why they're boxing on without kids
DAVID'S JUST BUZZING!
It's a hive of activity as the King and the footy star join forces
Inspirational tycoon 'THE PEOPLE WHO SAVED ME'
Mary’s grateful for the lifeline she was thrown in her tough times
Use your LOAF!
Looking to impress? The humble sweet treat has had a delicious makeover and will be the talk of your friends
Club WED!
The Hunter-Stewart clan celebrates and our Rachel's on cloud nine
Elephants & a temple SHORTY BELLA'S WEDDING EXTRAVAGANZA
Having tied the knot once, the actor and Suraj are doing it all again in style!
Fergie finds her voice 'I'M NOT EXCUSING MYSELF ANY MORE'
After more devastating news, she's determined to live life on her terms
Time changes everything! ANTONIA'S EXCITING MILESTONE
The livewire actress is relishing the chance to pause and ponder what matt ers most at 40