Ashton Faulkner/Rocky View Publishing

John and Edie Cole of Airdrie were married in 1952 in Calgary, and on June 7 celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

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Airdrie couple celebrates 60 years

For Edie and John Cole, June 7 marks 60 years of happy married life. The couple, who have lived in Airdrie for the past 20 years, wed in Calgary in 1952.

Cole was born in Trochu, and John in Calgary. They met at the Hillhurst Baptist Church in 1948 when Edie moved to the city.

The story of how they met is one they both remember fondly and often laugh about together.

“John and his best friend Lawrence, who was later the best man at our wedding, always took turns dating the new girls who came to church,” Cole said. “John was ushering on one side of the church and Lawrence was on the other, and John took a walk around, and he said to Lawerence ‘I know it’s your turn, but she’s mine’ and he never swerved off that course.”

She said that although she missed it, John winked at her the first time he saw her. When her mother turned to her and said “that young man winked at you,” Cole said she decided, “This is the church for me!”

Cole said that three-and-a-half years later, after he hid an engagement ring in a bucket of theatre popcorn, she agreed to marry him.

Their first date was at a rugby game against Western Canada High School and Crescent Heights. Cole recalls having no idea what rugby was, but after a friend told her that John had a “supreme sense of humour,” she agreed.

Cole said the pair moved around Alberta many times during their marriage, from Edmonton to Drumheller to Lethbridge, as John worked for Imperial Oil for 36 years. They decided to settle down in Airdrie when John retired because it was a nice, quiet community.

The pair have two daughters, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Cole said her advice for a long and happy marriage is to always respect one another, and to always appreciate the person you have.

“I always feel that God’s love cemented us together,” she said.

“We respect each other. John was always a gentleman and always made me feel like a lady.

“I’ve always trusted him and we are very loyal to one another, I think that’s very important for any marriage.”

The Cole’s celebrated their anniversary on June 7 surrounded by family and friends at the Lougheed House in Calgary.