Couple say the secret to a lasting relationship is putting 'their marriage before their kids'
- 11 months ago
A couple who got engaged within three months of meeting say their relationship is still going strong 30 years on because they 'put their marriage before their kids'.
Sonya Heath, 52, met her partner, Al, 53, at a camp where she was working as a nurse, and they hit it off instantly.
Sonya wanted to be sure he was the guy for her and on their first date she grilled him on his values, financial stability and family dynamics.
Luckily for Al, he passed the “interview” with flying colours and Sonya came home to tell her family she could see herself marrying him.
Three months later, Al proposed on Christmas Eve and the pair wed the following July.
They’ve since had three children together – Summer, 27, Levi, 24, and Quinten, 22 – but insist they have always made their relationship "a priority".
The parents even tell their children they love each other more than the three of them.
As well as going on family holidays, the couple have always made sure they go on a trip once a year without the kids and have regular date nights.
The loved up pair are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary in July this year and Sonya said she is "more in love" with Al as time passes.
Sonya, a music pastor, from Toronto, Canada, said: “I remember seeing him and thinking that guy is good looking. He is something else.
“When we spoke, and I thought ‘he’s the sweetest’.
“We swapped numbers and went on a date.
“I interviewed him. I wanted to make sure we aligned.
“I didn’t want to be with a playboy. I wanted to be a guy who adored me and loved me.
“I came home and said to my mum ‘I think he’s a guy I could marry’.
“We are celebrating 30 years in July.
“I’m more in love with him.
“We decided to put our marriage ahead of our children.”
After meeting in July 1992, Soya and Al, a pastor, quickly hit it off and started dating in September of the same year.
When Sonya was away on holiday with her family, Al packed a backpack full of letters for each day they spent apart – to remind her of him.
After both knowing they were both “all in” Al got down on one knee on Christmas Eve 1992 and Sonya said 'yes'.
They quickly planned the big day and tied the knot in July 1993 – and have been happy ever since.
Sonya said: “We’ve always had boundaries with how we speak with each other.
“We never call each other idiots for example.”
After starting a family, the couple still wanted to prioritise their marriage and continued to have date nights and take holidays – just the two of them.
Since their children all left home in 2019 the couple have been embracing their empty nest life – taking more holidays and adventures together.
Over the years they have visited 36 counties together.
Sonya Heath, 52, met her partner, Al, 53, at a camp where she was working as a nurse, and they hit it off instantly.
Sonya wanted to be sure he was the guy for her and on their first date she grilled him on his values, financial stability and family dynamics.
Luckily for Al, he passed the “interview” with flying colours and Sonya came home to tell her family she could see herself marrying him.
Three months later, Al proposed on Christmas Eve and the pair wed the following July.
They’ve since had three children together – Summer, 27, Levi, 24, and Quinten, 22 – but insist they have always made their relationship "a priority".
The parents even tell their children they love each other more than the three of them.
As well as going on family holidays, the couple have always made sure they go on a trip once a year without the kids and have regular date nights.
The loved up pair are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary in July this year and Sonya said she is "more in love" with Al as time passes.
Sonya, a music pastor, from Toronto, Canada, said: “I remember seeing him and thinking that guy is good looking. He is something else.
“When we spoke, and I thought ‘he’s the sweetest’.
“We swapped numbers and went on a date.
“I interviewed him. I wanted to make sure we aligned.
“I didn’t want to be with a playboy. I wanted to be a guy who adored me and loved me.
“I came home and said to my mum ‘I think he’s a guy I could marry’.
“We are celebrating 30 years in July.
“I’m more in love with him.
“We decided to put our marriage ahead of our children.”
After meeting in July 1992, Soya and Al, a pastor, quickly hit it off and started dating in September of the same year.
When Sonya was away on holiday with her family, Al packed a backpack full of letters for each day they spent apart – to remind her of him.
After both knowing they were both “all in” Al got down on one knee on Christmas Eve 1992 and Sonya said 'yes'.
They quickly planned the big day and tied the knot in July 1993 – and have been happy ever since.
Sonya said: “We’ve always had boundaries with how we speak with each other.
“We never call each other idiots for example.”
After starting a family, the couple still wanted to prioritise their marriage and continued to have date nights and take holidays – just the two of them.
Since their children all left home in 2019 the couple have been embracing their empty nest life – taking more holidays and adventures together.
Over the years they have visited 36 counties together.