Publish date: 15 April 2021
Suzanne and Tony’s love story is an unlikely one, set in the Bethanie Waters Retirement Village in Port Kennedy.
After a brief courtship of only three months, the couple in their 70s decided it was time to make their relationship official.
“Suzanne made the first move,” Tony said.
“I pretty much just asked him if he wanted to make it official and Tony didn’t hesitate to say yes,” Suzanne said.
Suzanne had been living at Waters Retirement Village for 12 years and was never really interested in anyone until Tony came along 10 months ago.
“When Tony moved into the Village, he was the most eligible bachelor,” Suzanne said.
Their friendship started with regular morning walks and Happy Hour on Fridays, but Suzanne wanted to get to know Tony a little bit better.
“One morning after our walk, I invited Tony into my house for coffee, and the rest is pretty much history,” Suzanne said.
“I never dreamed I would meet anybody at the Village. I would always have a bit of a look around, but no one really took my interest.”
Suzanne said she loves Tony’s gentle nature, sense of humour and the fact that they have a lot in common with each other.
But it was Tony’s muscular, lean legs which he achieved as a former professional soccer player, and his beautiful sun kissed tan that really grabbed her attention.
“That’s why he’s always wearing shorts,” Suzanne jokes.
Tony said it was Suzanne’s wicked sense of humour and beautiful hair that attracted him.
“She looked like someone I could get along with,” Tony said.
“We both like the same things and we both have a positive outlook in life.”
Suzanne and Tony’s commitment ceremony was attended by loved ones near and far, including residents from the Village and Suzanne’s sister and partner from Sydney who were the musicians at the party.
Waters Village resident, Werna, cooked all the food to cater for the 60 guests at the party.
But it was Suzanne’s neighbour Ron who stole the show. Ron, who is under palliative care, has been Suzanne’s neighbour for 10 years and gave Suzanne away on his gopher.
The couple are now living happily in their unit at Waters Village.
Whether you’re 35 or 75, Suzanne and Tony have proven that it’s never too late to find love, even when you’re not looking for it.
