Bryce and Hazel Gibson spend many days each week together in the Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Building. On a warm day, they may be found outside in the garden, enjoying the fresh air and views of the busy street. Being together is something they are very familiar with, having recently celebrated a rare and impressive milestone – their 75th wedding anniversary.
Several times a week, Hazel, who lives at Parkland Clayton Park, makes the trip to central Halifax to spend the day with Bryce.
Their love story starts many years ago when they met at school. Hazel was in Grade 4, and Bryce, Grade 5. They were living in the same neighbourhood in North End Halifax.
Bryce says he knew from the beginning that Hazel was the one for him. After meeting her, he recalls saying to his friends, “See that girl? That’s the one I am going to marry.” They both chuckle at the memory and at Bryce’s self-confidence.
Bryce remembers telling Hazel’s parents his intentions early on, and they both agree that her family got along with Bryce from the beginning.
They were born two years apart - Bryce on October 1, 1922 and Hazel on October 2, 1924. They laugh at how close their birthdays are.
“There are lots of funny things to laugh about,” says Hazel.
Hazel shares a story about when they were “going out together” before they got married. She recalls plans to visit a nearby lake with her father, siblings, and Bryce. Since they didn’t have a car, they had to use bicycles. She says that “girls did not drive bicycles in those days”, so to make sure his best girl could join in on the fun at the lake, Bryce taught Hazel how to drive a bike.
After many years spent together as children, they were married when they were young adults. When asked how they have stayed together happily for so long, Hazel says, “We have never fought. In fact, my dad told me I was too lazy to fight and I think he was right!” She continues, “We’ve always gotten along. We just seem to fit, to suit each other.”
They believe they have similar personalities which has served them well as a couple and as a family.
“We always got along with the kids, and we never had a lot of fights in the family,” says Hazel.
Another hint about their happiness as a couple may be their active and busy life, filled with a large family, including four sons, 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. In addition, they share an interest in volunteering and helping others, as blood donors and organizers of blood clinics, and as long-term volunteers at the IWK – Hazel for 50 years and Bryce for 30 years. Hazel also taught Sunday school, and they were involved in Scouts and Cubs. Bryce was heavily involved in the Shiner’s, including serving as Potentate, the head of the local Philae Shrine.
They also made time to travel as a couple and with their family.
Bryce shares how he purchased an empty cube van many years ago that he renovated into an RV-type vehicle, complete with a toilet, sinks, stove and bunk beds. The Gibson’s travelled thousands of miles, across Canada and the US, as a couple and as a family.
Anyone spending time with this charming and lively couple will quickly sense the love, admiration and lifetime of memories they share with one another and their loved ones.
Congratulations on 75 years of marriage!
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