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More than six decades after meeting at a dance, a couple have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.
Pam and Pete Peck, of Brewer Road, Cliffe Woods, first set eyes on each other at a school prefect function.
But had one of them sneaked in under false pretences?
Mr Peck, who attended Northfleet School for Boys, said: “You weren’t actually meant to be there Pam because you weren’t a prefect.”
Ex-Northfleet School for Girls' pupil Mrs Peck responded: “No, I was the book monitor, I was allowed to be there.”
They went on their first date to the cinema aged 15.
Just before their 17th birthdays, after persuading their parents, the love birds were married at All Saints' Church, Perry Street, Northfleet.
Pam walked down the aisle in her sister’s dress with roses in her hair.
They honeymooned in Deal, where Mr Peck’s brother was stationed with the Royal Marines.
For six years, they lived with Mrs Peck’s parents. She worked in a Gravesend pharmacy and he was an apprentice mechanic.
In 1966, they moved into their first property in Dene Holm Road, Painters Ash.
“When we got married my dad said 'look after her, my boy'..." Pam Peck
They had two children - Kevin, 59, and Alison, 49.
The couple moved to Cliffe Woods in 1988 and are now great-grandparents to two little girls. They have four grand-daughters.
Their first holiday out of England was to Guernsey in 1987 where Mrs Peck had an eternity ring made to measure.
She said: “It’s a forever ring, meaning you promise to be together for eternity.”
Daughter Alison, who lives in Rainham, said: “They’re joined at the hip, they are never apart, the furthest away they’ve ever been is when mum went to do jury service in Maidstone."
Mr Peck said: “We’ve always stuck together through thick and thin, we’ve worked as a team.”
His wife replied: “When we got married my dad said 'look after her, my boy'.
“I’ve heard that every day for the past 60 years.”
As for the secret to their long-lasting love, they say be patient, understanding, work together and be caring. Mrs Peck added: “I used to think he didn’t tell me he loved me enough. Now he says 'love you, love you, love you' all the time.”
