"It's not always roses, you know - because roses have thorns!" said Simone Essiambre. She is speaking of the ups and downs of marriage, and her pearls of wisdom come from experience - 62 years of marriage to Yvon Essiambre and going strong.
Their life story together began in the small town of Val-d'Or, Que., where they grew up as neighbours and eventually got together and dated.
Simone laughed when asked about Yvon's marriage proposal to her. "I had a doll - a beautiful doll," Simone said.
"And I loved to crochet. I was crocheting a little dress for my doll and he asked me if I wanted a real one," she said.
Their wedding took place in 1949 in a Catholic church in Val-d'Or and Simone recalled being bundled up in a winter jacket and her new hat, which she had bought for the wedding.
"I think our wedding cost $20," said Simone with a laugh. Simone was 18 and Yvon 20 when they were married and it was not long afterwards that they started a family - culminating in nine children, 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
In 1965, Yvon was offered a job at the re-opened mine at Britannia Beach and the family moved to Squamish. Simone spoke not a word of English and had to travel across the country on the train with her eight children, which was just one of the many challenges they faced, but 46 years later they still live in town and love it.
Their messages for younger couples on the art of marriage tell of the need for patience, caring for one another and of course, love.
"You need love - we love each other," said Simone. Yvon added that communication and resolving conflict are also important elements in a good relationship and that too often, couples these days "fight like cats and dogs" and then divorce. "You don't see too many marriages last 60 to 70 years anymore," he said.
Another secret to their success is to enjoy each other's company, but also have time for themselves. Yvon has his own special room where he can watch his television and relax while Simone uses the living room, yet they still find time to go out shopping together and in the past, dancing together was a highlight of their days in Britannia Beach.
Simone and Yvon make a point to celebrate every anniversary, with a meal out or a celebration with family and they agreed it was good to acknowledge the milestones along the way.
Simone loves the idea of renewing their vows and having another wedding ceremony - but Yvon is reluctant to take part.
"I want to get married again - I tried on my 50th, I tried on my 60th but it didn't work," Simone said. "I will have to put a chain on him to get him there," she laughed.
"Once was enough," Yvon said.
After 62 years together, the lively, happy duo is certain to be experts in tending to the proverbial "garden of roses and thorns," which illustrates marriage and its many challenges and celebrations.
