Andreas and Theodora Litjens are still very much in love after 60 years of marriage. 73260 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By XAVIER SMERDON
ANDREAS Litjens knew from the moment he saw Theodora that he wanted to marry her. Theodora was not so convinced, but 60 years later she has come around.
Andreas and Theodora, or Do as she is known to her friends, first met each other on a blind date back in the Netherlands.
While he knew that she was the one for him, Do was not keen.
“At the time I had red hair and freckles and she said ‘he’s not for me’,” Andreas said.
“I first saw her when she was singing at an illegal club. I knew that I loved her, I didn’t say I liked the singing.”
After five years he finally convinced her to marry him.
“That’s the secret, persistence,” he said.
Over the next 60 years they had nine children, three of which passed away as babies, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Back in their native Holland they lived only five kilometres from the German border and have moved house 20 times during their marriage.
“We’ve been through a lot but that is why we are still together,” Do said.
“The main thing is that we have survived.”
As for the secret of a long and happy marriage, they both agreed that it is about a bit of give and take.
“You need to take what comes and understand each other,” Andreas said.
“You have to give more than you take.”
The happy couple will celebrate their diamond anniversary on 24 November.
