Having a laugh is key to Wirral couple's wedded bliss (From Wirral Globe)

Having a laugh is key to Wirral couple's wedded bliss

12:50pm Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in News By Stephanie Cureton

A WIRRAL couple have revealed that "laughing together" is the key to a long and happy marriage as they mark their diamond wedding anniversary.

Raymond and Elli Russell, from Prenton, celebrated 60 years of wedded bliss last month and say sharing each other’s interests is vital for their ‘'happy ever after.'

However they told how their early courtship days were less than conventional as Raymond, 83, met German-born Elli in Hamburg just after the Second World War in 1951.

Elli, now 86, had been out dancing with friends when her admirer approached her for a dance and they hit it off straight away.

But the couple, who are grandparents-of-10, said their families accepted their relationship and never had a problem with it.

Raymond, a former structural engineer, said: "I was in the army at the time serving in Hamburg and was out with a colleague when I spotted Elli and asked her for a dance.

"She spoke very little English and my German was not very good either so there were very few arguments in the early days!

"But although it was quite controversial at the time, our families didn’t seem to mind at all."

They married the following year on September 20 at St Mary's Church, Birkenhead, with Elli donning a pink silk dress for the occasion.

And the pair, who have only ever spent time apart during Elli’s recent time in hospital, marked their landmark anniversary with a special card from the Queen as well generous gifts including a cruise and a night at The Ritz from their children.

Raymond added: "We still make each other laugh and we make sure we find time to go out for meals and socialise together.

"Marriage is all about give and take – if we have an argument, it’s forgotten by the morning!"