By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
RITA and Joseph Trinidade’s marriage began in India and more than six decades later the pair find themselves in Casey.
The couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on the weekend at their home in Endeavour Hills, surrounded by their close family.
“It’s a blessing that we have all our children continuously visiting us, seeing to us, and offering great help,” Rita said.
“And we look forward to that and that’s what keeps us going because we are all together and whatever parties, whatever celebrations we may have, they’re always there to do everything for us.”
Rita, 85, and Joseph, 90, were married in the Indian city of Visakhapatnam when Rita was only 20.
Many years later the pair were the last of their family to make the journey to Victoria, Australia, in the early 1990s, where they joined many of their relatives who had already journeyed to the country.
“I thank God’s blessings that we’re such a close knit family, the beauty is that all my children are so united and happy so when we have a party it’s just everybody talking and laughing, no one takes offence,” Rita said.
On the eve of her grandparents’ 65th wedding anniversary on 10 September, granddaughter Emmylou said Rita and Joseph’s relationship was a constant inspiration to her.
“I think with nana and grandpa, especially being a younger girl, when we go out and you meet guys, I just think I’d never settle for anyone less than the love my grandfather shows my nana,” she said.
“And how much my nana is so patient with my grandpa, it’s something I can learn from her as well.
“I know when I start dating again I’d want to look for something like that, someone who I can be patient with because I’m not the most patient person and I’ll always expect that respect because I know it’s out there.
“I know my grandpa shows it to my nana and I know I deserve that as well.”
