Love lessons from lifelong romantics on Valentine’s Day

Brisbane’s golden wedding couples have shared timeless love lessons for Valentine’s Day, urging younger generations to ditch their phones, show respect, and rediscover the art of conversation.

Valentine’s Day wisdom: three couples give their wedding advice. From left; Eris and Russell Platt today and on their wedding day; Jenny and Trevor Mahony; and Judith and Lyle Bird.

A group of Brisbane retirees is sharing their hard-earned wisdom on love and relationships this Valentine’s Day, offering younger generations insights into what it takes to make a marriage last a lifetime.

Golden wedding couples from across the state, who collectively have 174 years of marriage, took part in a Valentine’s Day forum hosted by Reside Communities, which operates high-quality retirement communities.

They compiled a list of love and dating tips for young people, including dressing smartly, respecting each other, avoiding grudges, and dancing together.

Top 10 wedding tips from those who know.

But top of their advice list on how to build lasting relationships for millennials and Gen Z, was the importance of putting phones away to have a “real conversation”.

Showing respect was the tip from Eris and Russell Platt, who live at Reside’s Samford Grove village and have been married for 52 years.

Eris and Russell Platt: ‘Put down your phone and have a real conversation”.

They met while working as public servants, and Mr Platt, 79, a former Army serviceman, fondly recalls their first date at a ball at Cloudland.

The couple, who has three grandchildren, often remind young people to put their phones away and show genuine respect when dating.

“It frightens me because I think how it would have been back in our day if everyone had a phone in their pocket to take a picture all the time – it stifles people from being their authentic selves,” Mr Platt said.

“When I first met Eris she was an absolutely beautiful lady and I told her so.

“Unfortunately, you can’t seem to go up to a woman today and tell her she looks beautiful because next thing you know you’re accused of belittling them or worse.

“Trust your partner, be happy, do not take yourself seriously. From the day we were married, music was always played at our house and it still is. We still go to see bands and sing songs.”

For the Platts, trust, laughter, and the ability to move on from arguments have been the key to their happy marriage.

“Sometimes you just have to suck it up and move on,” said Mrs Platt, 74.

Judith and Lyle Bird married for 65 years, met in dramatic fashion, when Lyle crashed his motorbike outside Judith’s family service station in Rockhampton.

Another couple, Judith and Lyle Bird married for 65 years, met in dramatic fashion, when Lyle crashed his motorbike outside Judith’s family service station in Rockhampton.

“I literally fell for Judith,” Mr Bird, 87, said.

“I was carrying half a kilo of tomatoes, saw a pair of legs in yellow shorts, and the next thing I knew, I crashed into a car.”

The Birds say they have never argued in their six-and-a-half decades together.

“Arguing is a waste of time and effort,” Mr Bird said.

“Young people today give up too early. They need to work on their relationships and stop relying on social media instead of real-life connections.”

From love letters to lasting commitment, Carindale couple Jenny and Trevor Mahony have been married for 57 years, after meeting on a school bus.

Carindale couple Jenny and Trevor Mahony have been married for 57 years, after meeting on a school bus.

Their early relationship survived a long-distance separation through handwritten letters, an art they believe should make a comeback.

“Marriage today doesn’t seem to have the same commitment,” Mrs Mahony said.

“Love, trust, and communication have been the key to our success. Our generation understood that you walk before you run.”

Mr Mahony said men should still make an effort when courting.

“Sloppy clothes and a lack of manners don’t impress a lady,” he said. “In my day, you wouldn’t step outside without a suit coat.”

Originally published as Love lessons from lifelong romantics on Valentine’s Day