For the month of February, IOL is inviting our readers to tell us who they love and why to stand a chance of winning amazing prizes in our #MyHeart competition.
Our next winner is Sheila Paterson, who submitted the following entry:
I met David when I had just left school. He was playing in a local band and what attracted me to him is that he was very unaffected by his popularity and a very kind and gentle person.
We got engaged after a year of dating & married a year later.
THIS YEAR WE CELEBRATE OUR 50 YRS OF MARRIAGE!!
During our courtship, I travelled extensively all over the world but David was always on my mind, and it took just one letter from him to convince me that my heart was definitely back home.
He also travelled a lot with the band and it did concern me that he had loads of adoring fans – but in the end our love endured.
I count my blessings each and every day and thank God for choosing me to walk this path with David.
People often compliment me on the way I still look good and enjoy good health at the age of 72, and I attribute that to the good life which I have been fortunate to have with a good man by my side. I think we underestimate the importance of having the love and support and security of a loving, caring partner.
It’s difficult to describe how love grows as you age. It begins with a deep longing and desire in your HEART to be close to that special person, and as time goes by, it develops into something so much deeper. You have a spiritual connection to the SOUL of that person.
In David, I have complete assurance that he will be by my side no matter what – for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health – we have already been down those paths.
It’s an incredible feeling to go through your whole life with that assurance. Whenever I walk into our home, he is there to greet me with his arms wide open for a huge hug. The aroma of a cooked meal waiting for me greets me too. Nothing is too much trouble for him. His family is his life.
He is so gentle – yet strong. He is kind, caring and a true gentleman of integrity. A rare gem, and I would not trade him for the world!
I trust that we have been a good example to our children and grandchildren, and my prayer for them all is that they too will experience the magnificence of such an awesome and amazing relationship.
To celebrate our Golden Anniversary we would love to travel and spend quality time together.
How to enter our #MyHeart competition:
Tell us who you love and why. The IOL team is passionate about news for the heart of South Africa and we want to hear about who holds your heart. Whether it's the love of your life, your BFF, your cat, your mom, your boss or your second-removed cousin on your grandmother's side, we want to know why you appreciate them so much.
If you are our pick for the best story of the day, you will win one of our amazing prizes and be entered into our grand prize draw sponsored by Protea Hotels by Marriott.
Whether it's an urban escape, going off the beaten track or a romantic seaside soiree you’re after, Protea Hotels by Marriott has just what you're looking for. Visit protea.marriott.com/valentines-day for some unbelievable couple's experiences and imagine the possibilities this Valentine’s month.
So send an email to [email protected] telling us your #MyHeart story.
Or download our app on Android or IOS and use our MOJO feature to send us your entry.
TIP: The more words the better, and if you have pics and videos, you can send that too.
The competition runs from February 1 to 28.
Winners will be notified by March 1.
Winners will be notified by email or phone, so please send us your contact details with your entry.
Competition Rules:
Selected story entries, pictures and videos will be published on iol.co.za and our social media pages. The winners' names will be published on our website and social media pages.
Your privacy is important to us. When you enter a competition with us, we ask for your name, email address and mobile number. We use email addresses to notify winners to let them know they have won a prize. We use the mobile numbers provided in order to contact the winner and for prize delivery.
The competition is only open to people residing in South Africa.
Employees of Independent Media, the sponsors & their agents, or any company associated with the competition & their immediate families are not eligible to enter. • Prizes are not redeemable for cash. • The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. • Receipt of entries will not be acknowledged. • The entrant accepts that entry to the competition does not constitute a contract or any form of legal commitment between the entrant and IOL.