February 14 is an extra-special day for MercyCare residents Michael and Carmel O’Dea – not only does it mark Valentine’s Day, but it’s also the day the couple celebrate their wedding anniversary.
This year, 91-year-old Michael and 89-year-old Carmel, who live at Mercy Village in Wembley, will celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary on Valentine’s Day.
Michael, then 29, and Carmel, then 27, married on 14 February 1953 at St Brigid’s in Northbridge.
They met while both working at T&G Insurance in Perth, after Michael returned from service overseas during World War II.
“(T&G) was a great hive for romances there. There were a lot more girls working in the offices those days and not many blokes, you see. He came back from the war and we got together then,” Carmel said.
As for choosing their auspicious wedding date, Carmel says it was a purely unintentional choice – one which, on the flipside, can turn their anniversary plans awry with so many other romantic couples celebrating the same day.
“We weren’t looking for that sort of thing actually; Valentine’s Day wasn’t really kept up then at all. Nobody really thought about it until recent years when it’s really come back into vogue,” Carmel said.
“We always celebrate our anniversary with a nice dinner, but we’ve found in recent years that 14 February is increasingly not a great day to go out to dinner because everywhere is busy with people celebrating Valentine’s Day!”
Sixty-two years (to the date) later, Michael and Carmel have six children, 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
As for the secret behind reaching over six decades of wedded bliss, Michael thinks it’s hard to pin down a reason.
“We had six kids, so we’ve always had plenty to keep us busy. That could be the secret,” he said.
“We’ve been very fortunate and had a wonderful life together. We’ve always been very involved in our local church and, since moving to Mercy Village nine years ago, we’ve enjoyed becoming involved in the community here too, and Carmel conducts the choir here because she’s very talented musically. We’re slowing down a little in our old age but we always keep busy.”
MercyCare Chief Executive Officer Chris Hall congratulated Michael and Carmel on their wedding anniversary.
“It’s a wonderful achievement to reach such a significant milestone and I hope Michael and Carmel have a memorable Valentine’s Day to cap off their big anniversary,” he said.
MercyCare is a leading Catholic provider of aged care, family, health and community services.