Linnette and Irvin Bolton were joined together in holy matrimony 50 years ago. They got married on April 15, 1959. Linnette was 19 and her husband 38 at the time of their marriage.

"I was honoured to marry him. I wanted an older man to take care of me because I did not have a father to care for me, while I was growing up. So I said I needed an older man to take care of me; and he really does," said Mrs Bolton with a broad smile.

Linnette said she got saved when she was 17 years old at the same church where her husband worshipped. She noted that Irvin who noticed her after she went to the church, asked her to marry him but her reply was no.

"I told him that I was not ready because I was much younger than he was. However, when I got home that night and spoke with my mother, she said to me 'a constant dropping is better than a heavy shower, so you could take this man to be your husband. In whatever state you find yourself, both of you encourage one another," said Linnette.

She explained that after some time, Irvin came back to her and asked her if she had made up her mind about marriage. Linnette said she did not hesitate and she then told him 'yes'. She said they got married nine months later.

simple affair

The wedding, according to Linnette was a simple affair. She added that if they were to do it the same way it was done 50 years ago, persons would laugh to death.

"In this day you would laugh, because at the wedding we had only one loaf of bread. There was no wedding cake. Not even a bulla cake we never had. I also had a tin of corned beef that we used to make sandwiches, we had some quench aid which we used to mix drinks and that was our wine for the reception. My friends and classmates came and they enjoyed what we had to eat and drink," explained Linnette while her husband smiled.

The Boltons stated that in their time they did not know what honeymoon was after persons got married. All she said they did was that they cooked their dinner, ate and then went to bed to have a nice time.

Irivn, who is less talkative than his wife said he got married to her because he saw in her the good Christian life she was living. He pointed out that in the early days when he started out as a Christian his pastor always said that they should live a good Christian life before marriage.

"I got saved in 1957, baptised in 1958 and then got married in 1959; so the three important things took place three years in a row," said Irvin

Mrs Bolton said since April 15, 1959, they have been living happily together. The couple admits that the early days were rough.

no food

Linnette, for example, said they were not able to find meals to eat in the early years together. Mr Bolton, however, points out that their trust in God helped to make life better for them. She noted also that two years after they got married their union produced their first child.

"From then I did not have any pleasure because every two years I had a baby and I did not stop until I had 11," said Linnette. She said her last child is now 24 years old. She also stated that all 11 children are Christians.

The Boltons, currently residing at Silent Hill in northwest Clarendon, are calling on persons who are not yet married not to choose their mate by themselves. Instead she wants them to know that they should ask God to guide them. She said if Christ is in the vessel, He will smile at every storm. She is also asking persons to note that as long as their marriage lasts they should put God first.