On the morning of their wedding day 70 years ago, Maureen and Sydney Edwards arrived at St. Francis Xavier Church and discovered that it was pitch black due to a blackout.
However, this didn’t stop the couple from going ahead with their union. They decided to light some candles on the altar so they could go ahead with the marriage.
Now we know God works in mysterious ways, but the timing of His intervention was complete perfection. Just as the couple finished exchanging their vows, the lights came back on.
This may have been seen as a seal of approval, and indeed this couple from Caringbah, Australia, went on to enjoy a marriage truly made in heaven over the last seven decades.
Maureen shared with Catholic Weekly: “It’s been a marvelous 70 years together, and we honestly wouldn’t change a thing. In some ways it feels like yesterday, standing at the altar with the candles flickering was very romantic, I remember feeling the happiest I have ever felt in my life.”
The nonagenarian also shared how “having all of our family and friends come together with us to celebrate was just beautiful. We honestly were surprised we made our 50th wedding anniversary but now celebrating our 70th is unbelievable. We have had such a lovely life together and couldn’t imagine it any other way.”
As well as raising the couple’s five children, Maureen was busy volunteering in the cafeteria of Our Lady of Fatima primary school. She also helped clean her church and organize the flowers for her local parish, where she and Sydney have been members for 67 years.
The couple, who have 17 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild, have received congratulations from all over the world: from the Queen and the Australian prime minister, to the Sydney Archbishop, Anthony Fisher OP, and their local parish priest, Fr. Julian Belich.
A little marital advice
While Maureen simply shared that her secret to a happy marriage has been to just “love one another,” 92-year-old Syd gave a cheeky grin and said, “There’s no such thing as a perfect marriage, that’s for sure.” On a more serious note, he explained:
“We’ve had our fair share of worries over the years; anyone who tells you married life is a fairy tale is crazy. But I guess looking back we have always honored the vows we made to each other, been patient and cared for one another. Getting married to Maureen was the happiest day of my life, I can’t remember ever being happier.”
Looking back on their wedding day, Syd remembers the entire event being beset with issues, but more importantly, they overcame them. He explained:
“My best man was late, there was a blackout in the church and the last thing my parents said was ‘it wouldn’t last,’ but looking back we sure proved them wrong.” He also shared: “I have always joked that when the lights finally came on in the church on the day we got married I said, ‘Oh, it’s you.’”
He went on to say, “Maureen has been the love of my life and I couldn’t imagine doing it all with anybody else.”
And today we celebrate...