Joseph and Elizabeth Rahme have celebrated a remarkable 70 years of marriage with a heartfelt vow renewal, reflecting on love, enduring commitment, and the journey they have shared.
The event mirrored the golden double wedding that claimed the spotlight on October 10, 1954, when Joseph and Elizabeth first exchanged vows alongside Phillip and Jasmine Rissik — a union their families still fondly regard as the wedding of the century.
Marking this milestone, the Rahmes renewed their vows on Thursday, surrounded by the warm embrace of family, including their children and grandchildren, who proudly bore witness to their lasting devotion.
As Elizabeth offered a glimCelebrating 70 Years of Love: Joseph and Elizabeth's Heartfelt Vow Renewalpse into their remarkable journey with The Star, she spoke about the foundation of their enduring relationship: love and commitment.
“This day is very important to me because I’ve been 70 years married to this wonderful man, and he has been ill for quite a while, but it is important that he is still with me today.
“It has been a very long road. We had our ups and we had our downs, but we did it together with loads of love,” said Elizabeth.
She further spoke about fond memories they shared together as they marked this momentous occasion.
“I have good memories. I have travelled all around the world with my husband. I have been all over. We had beautiful days together, and we had our sad days. It was a hard road to climb. We got there, and it is still there.”
Joining the celebration was Dr Norman Cahi from Cahi Dental & Prosthodontic Practice in Parktown North, who shared a familial connection — his mother was Joseph’s sister.
Reflecting on their life together, he conveyed: “Jo and Liz have had a wonderful, productive life, a very successful life. They have been the most amazing couple, standing firmly together through tough times.
“Liz even had to endure breast cancer but she is a survivor. He has also endured a lot of ill health of late but he is nearly 90. He was the only son of seven sisters. He looked after all his sisters. He has looked after all his nephews, nieces, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.”
He further characterised the couple, saying: “He is our patriarch, and she is our matriarch. We love them dearly, and we are so thrilled to have them here to celebrate.”
The Star
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za