SO SWEET... =D

Opened up Straits Times to see this article and felt it was really touching =)
I know Ian and I will have an even more meaningful and lasting marriage as besides keeping no secrets from each other, we also have a marriage built upon Jesus Christ.


72 years together

The Rattys are believed to be among the longest married couples here

By Judith Tan
		Mr Ratty, 90, and Madam Devi, 88, say they do not keep secrets from each other, and this has helped to keep their marriage and love alive after so many years. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

THEY were betrothed to each other - Amolak Ram Ratty was then seven, Susheela Devi, five.

But a stolen glance from a window and a secret smile in the backyard 10 years later, it became 'a love marriage'.

'We knew who each other was but it was the Indian custom that we did not meet. But we did - in secret,' said Mr Ratty, 90, a retired Ministry of Social Affairs superintendent. 'We saw each other across the back doors and when I passed her window. We knew then that we were meant for each other.'

Despite protests from some of Madam Devi's relatives, the couple went ahead and got hitched after Mr Ratty 'completed his junior Cambridge papers'.

'The wedding was in Ipoh and it was a grand affair when I married my little girl,' he said.

The Rattys celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary last Monday, but decided to hold the party only on Saturday when their youngest son returned from overseas. But not all their five children, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren will be celebrating by their side, as they are 'scattered all over the world'.

The previous longest-lasting marriage here was between Mr Tan Swee and his wife, Madam Ng Hiang. They celebrated their 79th wedding anniversary in 2005. Inseparable, Mr Tan and Madam Ng died 98 days apart in 2006.

It is believed that the Rattys are now one of the longest-married couples here.

They did not have a wedding photo to commemorate the grand affair 'because both sets of parents were old school and were not in favour of photographs', Mr Ratty said.

But husband and wife remained inseparable after their wedding on Nov 17, 1936 - save only twice.

The first time was when Mr Ratty was incarcerated by the Japanese for two months during World War II. He was an outrider for the Indian resistance.

The second was when he suffered a heart attack in 1965, at the age of 47.

So what are some of the things the Rattys do to keep their marriage and love alive?

'After I married her, she cooked and packed lunch for me every day while I was working,' Mr Ratty said. 'Every breakfast and lunch, I would eat at home. We go out only during the weekends. She's a great cook while I'm a great eater.'

Despite being a vegetarian, Madam Devi prepared meat dishes for him, knowing how much he loved meat.

Now, they have a maid to help with the cooking, but under Madam Devi's instructions.

Mr Ratty said: 'Every month, when I was working, I handed over my salary to her. We shared everything. Still do. We do not keep secrets from each other. That is perhaps our secret to a happy and long-lasting marriage.'

When asked if they had any bad habits that niggled, the reply was 'no'.

'The only bad habit we share is to love each other too much. That is one bad habit we tolerated for 72 years,' Madam Devi said with a laugh.