When Helen Andre met Davy Moakes it was love at first sight, yet when the pair presented to Helen’s parents for their seal of approval on their wedding they didn’t get it. Rather than upset her parents, Helen and Davy called the whole affair off. That was 65 years ago.
Davy, now 86, and his bride Helen, 82, first fell in love at Art College in 1951. However, Helen’s parents had concerns that Davy wouldn’t be able to provide for his family if he followed his career path as an artist and refused to give the couple their blessing.
Helen has been married and widowed three times, while Davy lost two spouses of his own.
Yet, when the pair reconnected (thanks to Helen’s daughter and that thing you all love — social media) the flame was reignited.
Helen and Davy had a quiet ceremony at the registry office in Ripley, Derbyshire. Helen’s three children and the couple’s close friends were all in attendance.
“I couldn’t be happier, all my dreams have come true,” an elated Helen told the Daily Mail.
“When I was 19 and my mother and father stopped me marrying him I was heartbroken and I never stopped loving him…
“I have loved Davy my whole life. Now I’ve got him I’m enjoying every minute of it. I feel like a teenage again, really it’s like nothing has changed.”
“It’s so strong the love between us,” Davy said.
“Even after all this time, it still feels the same. It’s just perfect, it’s just how it was.
“We’re no spring chickens so we decided if we still had these strong feelings for each other then we best get on and get married.
“Helen is medically blind, and when I saw her I thought if we’d been allowed to marry her before I’d be taking care of her.
“So all I wanted to do is care for her now. I can’t actually remember how we proposed, it wasn’t anything dramatic, it would have just been over a nice kiss.”
The pair got back in touch after Helen found a sculpture by Davy’s son Adrian, 57, in the village where they’d first met.
Her daughter Debbie tracked Davy down using social media, but he was married to his second wife.
She passed away 18 months ago, and after that Davy visited Helen and they released they had feelings for each other.
They married in a registry office then went on a two-week honeymoon in Cyprus.
Helen’s parents, Gertrude and Aaron West:
It was after the loss of Davy’s second wife Margaret that they reconnected.
Helen had been widowed and was living with her daughter Debbie.
Davy moved to be closer to her in Derbyshire, and they decided to tie the knot because they are “old fashioned” and didn’t want to just live together.
“I have loved him my whole life,” Helen said.
“We always got on, but after we had children we couldn’t be together.
“But now I’ve got him. I’m enjoying every minute of it.
“I feel like a teenager again, it really is like nothing’s changed.”