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Six couples celebrate 55 years of marriage by renewing vows

SINGAPORE — They met through a mutual friend when she was about 17 and he, 24, during a gathering at her home. They then started going out for group outings with friends, before progressing to dates in Katong, Clifford Pier and MacRitchie Reservoir.

Six pioneer couples renewed their marriage vows at the Registry of Marriages on Dec 6, 2016. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY

Six pioneer couples renewed their marriage vows at the Registry of Marriages on Dec 6, 2016. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — They met through a mutual friend when she was about 17 and he, 24, during a gathering at her home. They then started going out for group outings with friends, before progressing to dates in Katong, Clifford Pier and MacRitchie Reservoir.

After going out for a year, Mr Chiang Khee Yan and Madam Tan Ah Lek got engaged and were married four months later on Sept 26, 1961. The secret to a marriage lasting 55 years is tolerance and give-and-take, said the Chiangs, who were dressed in matching purple outfits on Tuesday (Dec 6) as they renewed their wedding vows at the Registry of Marriages (ROM) with five other couples.

Mdm Tan, 73, wore an elegant dress gifted by Mr Chiang five years ago when they celebrated 50 years of marriage with a family dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel.

When she remarked that she was too dressed up for the occasion on Tuesday, he replied: “Never mind!”

The ROM was marking 55 years of compulsory registration of civil marriages, due to the enactment of the Women’s Charter in September 1961. About 120 couples had solemnised their marriages at the ROM in that month.

Before that, registration of civil marriages was voluntary under the Civil Marriage Ordinance, and marriages of couples who only went through traditional or customary ceremonies were valid under the law.

In September this year, ROM had invited couples who registered their marriage in September 1961 to come forward to receive a commemorative marriage certificate. This is the first time it has issued such certificates or conducted a renewal-of-vows ceremony.

Three couples including the Chiangs received the certificate, while three other couples married for 55 years (but who did not meet the criterion) received a token of appreciation and a congratulatory letter from Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin.

The renewal of vows — in the presence of relatives — was officiated by Mr Tan Peng Yam and his wife Hsu Phillips, both 82, licensed solemnisers who have been married 56 years.

“I think it’s a testament to their love and their commitment to each other and hopefully, it’s also an inspiration to many of us. Certainly marriage is important, because that’s the foundation for any family,” said Mr Tan Chuan-Jin.

Asked about the move 55 years ago to mandate the registration of civil marriages, he said: “It’s an important institution and should be given its due recognition, not just (from a customary) but from a civil perspective. Of course, along with that, all the protection that comes with it.”

The Chiangs held their customary wedding in 1961, and re-registered it at ROM in 1967 when they wanted to apply for a flat. Their first home after marriage was a rented attap house in Paya Lebar, near where Mr Chiang, now 80, worked in a metal factory.

These days, the couple enjoy travelling and plan to visit Japan in February. They have two sons in their 50s and four grandchildren.

For another couple, Mr Sun Boon Huat, 80, and Madam Lim Chwee Kim, 76; their marriage in September 1961 was the result of matchmaking by their parents.

“We don’t celebrate wedding anniversaries, so I’m happy that (ROM) is celebrating for us,” said Mdm Lim.

On being married for over half a century, Mr Sun, a retired appliance repairman, said: “It’s nothing dramatic — get along, give in to each other. If we have disagreements, we let it go by the next day.” The Suns have four children, in their 40s and 50s, and six grandchildren.

 

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