FOR Zhuang Qisen, 85 and his wife Ou Jindi, 83, who celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary Jan. 16, faith and understanding form the bedrock on which a long, successful marriage is built.

The elderly couple, who presently reside in Huanggang Village, Futian District of Shenzhen, are highly respected in the community. Their love story is one of hope and tolerance, which took root and quickly blossomed despite the fact that they met for the first time only on the day of their wedding.

Sixty-three years ago, Zhuang married Ou in a humble ceremony arranged by their parents. "Both families were poor, stir-fried eggs and some sweet potatoes were best offers for guests," Zhuang recollected.

They had no honeymoon. Ou simply got up early the next morning to cook for the entire household and help with farm work. "All women did like this. I didn't feel anything wrong with this," said a modest Ou.

Besides her domestic chores, Ou reared pigs and planted and harvested crops all by herself, after her husband left to join the anti-Japanese army a few days after their wedding.

"As a soldier, I must move around with the army to fight against Japanese invasion, while during the civil war, I was assigned to carry out undercover investigations. So I seldom went back home. She had to take care of everything. I am so grateful for that," said Zhuang.

War, poverty and other obstacles failed to tear the couple apart. Their family now comprises four generations, with a total of 32 members.

"What? Flowers! He bought me nothing, not even a hairpin. But I shared with his invaluable badges that honored his bravery and wisdom during the war," Ou said. The man she had spent 63 years of her life with, responded "A present on Valentine's Day is not necessarily important. What can be more priceless than being faithful to your partner for a whole life?"

Editor: Wing