Mary and Wayne's remarkable journey began in 1976 at a guesthouse in Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia. Both were on working vacations and initially planned to stay in Australia for only six months. Mary hailed from Canada and had been away from home for nearly two years, while Wayne traveled from New Zealand specifically to meet her. Their shared love of travel and adventure quickly bonded them.
Their relationship took a significant turn during their travels through Southeast Asia and Australia, marking the beginning of a whirlwind romance. Despite a brief disagreement in Townsville, Australia, they decided to marry in December 1977 after about a year together. The couple embraced an adventurous lifestyle, traveling extensively before settling in British Columbia, Canada.
Mary was pregnant with their first child eight months into their marriage, and they eventually became parents to four children. The couple, now nearing their 70th birthdays and celebrating almost 50 years of marriage, have built a strong and loving relationship based on a shared sense of adventure and deep connection.
Mary and Wayne's playful approach to disagreements has contributed to their lasting bond. Wayne recalls that they never engaged in small talk, diving straight into a meaningful relationship.
“We didn’t do any small talk. We didn’t do any of that sort of stuff — just launched right into a full-scale relationship.” – Wayne
The couple's story is characterized by serendipity and chance encounters. They met in an unexpected place, and their relationship blossomed into a lifetime partnership. Their travels included numerous countries, with Mary recalling their explorations across Asia.
“We flew from Perth to Bali and then travelled by local buses and trains all through Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Burma, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey…” – Mary
Their experiences have left them with a deep appreciation for the adventures they've shared together. Mary reflects on how they navigated parenthood without much guidance but adapted like every family does.
“We were very young, so we had no idea about bringing up children. We were the first amongst our friends to have a baby, so there was not even anyone to ask for any advice, but we just quickly morphed into a routine, like every family does.” – Mary
Their relationship thrived on mutual respect and understanding. Mary recalls Wayne's kindness and patience with her mother, which further strengthened their bond.
“Wayne was very kind and patient with my mom,” – Mary
Throughout their marriage, they have maintained clear boundaries between work and home life, allowing them to focus on family.
“We never talked about work at home — that was something we decided when the kids were young. We always said, ‘We don’t talk about work at home, over dinner or anything like that,’” – Mary
Their shared sense of adventure extended to their children as well. Mary wanted their kids to experience life beyond Canada.
“I thought that we should do it and give the kids an opportunity to experience life down there,” – Mary
Their mutual resilience and determination have been key factors in their enduring marriage.
“I think we’re both the type that are not going to give up easily, are going to make it work,” – Mary
Mary's fascination with Wayne's large family was another draw for her. As an only child who lost her father at a young age, she found comfort in being part of Wayne's extended family.
“I was fascinated by Wayne’s family, he came from a very large family. I was an only child and my dad died when I was 12, so that was a huge draw for me,” – Mary
As they near their 70th birthdays, Mary and Wayne continue to reflect on their extraordinary journey together.
“Sometimes I think back to when we first met, and then here’s this woman I met and married, and now we have four children,” – Wayne
