“I knew something was wrong, so I called for an ambulance and started CPR,” Carolyn recalls. “When you realise you could’ve lost him, it changes your outlook on life. Now, we are just so happy to be alive and enjoying life together.”

The couple sold their home and chose to move to Levande Ridgehaven Rise Retirement Village to spend less time on maintenance and more time focusing on each other and their interests. “We felt so welcome as soon as we moved in,” Graham says.

Graham enjoys Lego, family history, and cooking, while Carolyn loves singing, theatre, and organising social activities. Their shared advice for a happy marriage includes compromise, mutual respect, and supporting each other's interests.

Carolyn advises, “You have to know you’re not always going to get your own way. You have to pick your battles!” Graham adds, “We share everything, it’s always been ‘ours’ not ‘mine’.”

As they celebrate 57 years of marriage, Carolyn and Graham exemplify the joys of life and love, inspiring others to cherish each moment together.