{Couples} celebrating 50 years of marriage share the key to a permanent relationship, Lifemodel Information

What’s the key to a long-lasting marriage?

For Abdullah Abdul Talib and his spouse Rahmah Kamil, communication is vital.

“One word, communication,” Abdullah informed the press on the Golden Jubilee wedding ceremony celebrations on Sunday (Feb 8). 

“Communication is very important. Understanding is also very important,” he stated.

The 78-year-old and his 69-year-old spouse have been married for 52 years and counting.

Their story started in 1972 on a crowded public bus. While they did not know one another at first, the pair took the identical bus each morning. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than Abdullah observed Rahmah and have become captivated by her.

He started providing his seat to her — a quiet gesture that grew to become an unstated routine for them for one and a half months. 

Rahmah, nevertheless, switched jobs and stopped taking the bus.

This left Abdullah with remorse, wishing he had mustered up the braveness to talk to her sooner.

For three months, their paths by no means crossed once more, till destiny intervened.

Abdullah’s uncle stepped in as a matchmaker and launched him to potential companions. Rahmah’s photograph was the primary to return up, and Abdullah recognised her instantly.

The pair immediately agreed to reconnect and registered their marriage two years later.

“It’s fated,” stated Abdullah as he recalled the reminiscences from over 50 years in the past.

Together, Abdullah and Rahmah raised three youngsters. And now, their tight-knit household has grown to incorporate 9 grandchildren.

The couple attributed their enduring marriage to 2 foremost ideas: Living inside their means and never letting monetary struggles shake their unity, in addition to having open communication and empathy.

“Once you understand each other, it will go a long way,” stated Rahmah.

The couple additionally made it a rule to resolve disagreements promptly and by no means let arguments sit in a single day.

“If you have done something wrong, be the first person to say sorry. Don’t wait for your partner to do it,” suggested Abdullah.

Beyond phrases, he added that love must also be proven by actions and intent.

“To me, she’s the only one. Love can be very superficial. Sometimes you say you love [someone], but if you don’t put it into action, there’s no point. You just say ‘I love you’ but you don’t mean it,” he defined.

Sharing an instance, Abdullah stated he makes it some extent to assist change bedsheets and flowers of their home, as a result of Rahmah is captivated with adorning.

From pals to lovers

Another couple celebrating over 5 many years of matrimony is 87-year-old Ng Tong Huat and 81-year-old Tan Lian Hwa. 

Their relationship started when the pair, who had been a part of the identical buddy group, developed an curiosity in one another and began happening dates of their very own.

Drawn to Lian Hwa’s mild and easygoing character, accompanied by her mom’s sort and affected person therapy, Tong Huat engaged a matchmaker to formally convey his intention of marriage.

Together, the pair raised three youngsters. They celebrated their fiftieth wedding ceremony anniversary in 2017 with their children and prolonged household.

Speaking to the media, Tong Huat and Lian Hwa, who’ve been married for 59 years, shared that a few of their happiest reminiscences embody travelling along with household.

Their two sons, who’re pilots, flew them on journeys, together with memorable holidays to the US and South Korea.

But an enduring marriage does not come with out challenges.

Throughout their relationship section and marriage, the couple made it some extent to face life as a crew. They are accommodating and understanding in the direction of one another, working collectively to beat challenges. 

Tong Huat and Lian Hwa addressed disagreements promptly and made a acutely aware effort to not maintain grudges or carry unresolved points into the following day.

However, their dynamic was examined when Tong Huat developed listening to difficulties and wanted listening to aids across the age of 60.

This led to misunderstandings and arguments, as Lian Hwa didn’t prefer it when her husband raised his voice at her.

Despite the setback, the couple finally discovered their footing, drawing on the ideas they’ve lived by as a pair for the previous many years.

They discovered to be extra affected person and understanding with one another, recognising the significance of apologising when miscommunication arises.

“It’s just saying sorry,” stated Tong Huat, including that one of the vital vital issues is to not let the argument carry onto the following day.

Celebrating 50 years of marriage

They are a part of the various {couples} who had been honoured on Sunday on the annual Golden Jubilee Wedding Celebrations, organised by the Families for Life (FFL) Council, the Registry of Marriages (ROM) and Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM).

Held at Fairmont Singapore, this yr’s occasion spotlighted 184 {couples} who celebrated 50 years or extra of marriage.

They had been offered with a Golden Jubilee Commemorative Package comprising a certificates, gold medallion and congratulatory observe, in addition to a photograph memento.

The {couples} additionally renewed their matrimonial vows within the presence of household and pals.

The occasion was attended by Guest of Honour President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli and Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim. 

“You have shown that when we stand by each other through the ups and downs of life, we can build strong marriages and strong families. Let this celebration serve as a beacon for both younger and future couples,” Masagos stated in his opening speech. 

“May your marriages stand as living proof of enduring love, inspiring others to hold on to these timeless values, build partnerships that will weather life’s challenges and reach their own golden jubilees.”

From Feb 14 to March 15, FFL might be working its annual initiative ‘I Still Do’ which celebrates love, dedication and marriage.

The marketing campaign options curated couple-centric actions and promotions, such because the ‘I Still Do’ Sunset by the Beach occasion organised with the Sentosa Development Corporation.

During the Feb 28 occasion, 100 {couples} will have interaction in numerous actions resembling watching the sundown and having fun with dinner by the seaside.

ROM and ROMM to return to Canning Rise

ROM and ROMM will return to their unique location at Canning Rise in 2029 following a four-year redevelopment that began final yr, with expanded areas for solemnisations, stated the Ministry of Family Development.

The redeveloped constructing may have a gross ground space of three,755 sqm — a 60 per cent improve in area over its unique footprint. It can even characteristic bigger and enhanced areas for solemnisation ceremonies, surrounded by Fort Canning Park.

Some key options of the redeveloped Canning Rise Building embody the long-lasting pitch-frame facade, which pays homage to the location’s unique architectural character.

Other options are enhanced solemnisation areas resembling a two-storey rear extension, which can improve the capability of solemnisation slots, spacious indoor solemnisation rooms with heat timber detailing and garden-facing backdrops, in addition to a Garden Terrace for outside ceremonies.

For {couples} who need to register their marriages through the redevelopment interval, ROM and ROMM solemnisations might be held at degree 3 of the Esplanade Mall.

Since opening in April final yr, the interim venue has hosted nearly 6,000 solemnisation ceremonies.

Alternatively, {couples} may ebook Ficus Room @ Gardens by the Bay for his or her solemnisation ceremonies.

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