Our families are over the moon for us.

“Our families are over the moon for us. They think it’s marvellous that we are together”: how Geraldine and Mal found true love in later life.

They say it’s never too late to find true love – and that’s exactly what happened when Geraldine, 72 and Maldwyn (Mal), 74, got together with a little help from some of their friends at the independent living scheme where they live in Cwmbran.

Geraldine said,

“We knew each other years ago, so when I first came to live here and saw Mal, he said, ‘I know you! You look a bit different!’ and I said, ‘You look a bit different, too. You used to have dark hair!. We used to say hello and have a little chat on the stairs but it was when we went on holiday with some of our friends here that we got to know each other. I thought, ‘What a nice man!’ and we used to stay up till late talking.”

The same friends then decided to play Cupid. Mal said,

“They used to push our chairs together to make sure we sat next to each other! Then on the last night of the holiday when we were leaving, I ran back to Geraldine and gave her a kiss! Some of them were hiding around the corner and one of them shouted, ‘We knew it!’”

Three and a half years later and Geraldine and Mal are preparing to tie the knot next month. Mal’s proposal happened when they happened to be looking at rings in a jewellery shop window in north Wales.

Mal said, “I plucked up the courage to say, ‘You probably wouldn’t accept if I asked you (to marry me)’ and Geraldine said, ‘You haven’t asked me! Is that a proposal?’ and I said, ‘I suppose it is, yes!’

Geraldine added, “I said to him, ‘What took you so long?!’

“Our families are over the moon for us. They think it’s marvellous that we are together. They can see I love Mal to bits.”

Mal said, “I loved Geraldine from the start. She always has a smile on her face, always happy.”

So what’s their secret to a successful relationship? Geraldine said, “It’s about enjoying each other’s company but also having your own space and interests – you have to think about the other person.”

The couple are looking forward to spending their special day with family and friends.

Mal said, “Our friends will be back in time for a cuppa and bingo after!”

We are thrilled to hear about Geraldine and Mal’s engagement. Everyone at Bron Afon hopes they have a wonderful wedding day and we wish them every happiness for their future together.