It was VFL Grand Final Day, 1959. For keen Essendon supporters Jeanette and Fred Dans, September 26 was a disappointing day on the footy field as their Bombers went down to Melbourne.
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But 60 years on, the date still sits fondly in their memories as the day they said 'I do'.
"We got married in Footscray in the Methodist church," Mr Dans said. "There weren't many people. We didn't have much money in those days and we never had a big reception.
"We just wanted to get married and go on our honeymoon. But my mother wouldn't let me do that."
Mr and Mrs Dans, who are now 82 and 78 respectively, first met as teenagers in Braybrook in Melbourne's western suburbs.
"We went to a 21st birthday party," Mr Dans said. "I used to work with this chap and I was going with his sister. She left me and then I met Jeanette."
The couple had a somewhat rocky start to their relationship, breaking up and getting back together multiple times.
"We broke up three or four times," Mrs Dans said. "But that last time we got back together in the April, my sister got married in the June, and we got married in September.
"He popped the question at my sister's wedding. There was no ring, but he popped the question. I said yes straight away because I didn't want him to go."
It wasn't all smooth sailing, with the couple facing some opposition from those closest to them in the lead up to their big day.
"He was blond," Mrs Dans said. "My mother said don't marry him - you can't trust a blond!"
"I took Jeanette out one day before the wedding and my car broke down," Mr Dans said. "We went to a dance and it was daylight but we didn't get home until late.
"It was a hot night, the front door was open, and my mum was walking up and down saying I don't like the look of that girl."
But 60 years on, their relationship couldn't be stronger. The Dans have four children, six grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
They have travelled around the world on cruises, visiting places like China, Japan and San Francisco.
The Dans have also moved around a lot as they regularly relocated for Mr Dans' work in the rail industry.
But since Mr Dans' retirement about 30 years ago, the couple has called Bendigo home.
Mrs Dans said the secret to the longevity of their marriage was love and respect.
"I think it's just our beliefs and the way we were brought up," she said.
"You're never sick of each other or leave each other," Mr Dans said. "You have arguments but you're never sick of it all."
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Tara Cosoleto
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
