‘Christmas couple’ David and Eva going strong after 48 years

Christmas is a time of love and happiness, and when people are encouraged to spread the joyful message of hope while giving back to those in need.

But for David and Eva Williams, the season is also a timely reminder of when they joined hands and hearts in holy matrimony. Almost five decades of marriage and 11 children later, the couple share just how a bold gesture bloomed into happily ever after.

"We met in February 1974 and we got married on December 21 of that same year," David, 75 told THE WEEKEND STAR.

It was obvious that David was instantly drawn to Eva as he declared "She filled my eyes." So compelled was he to have her all to himself that he bravely approached her and made his feelings known.

"I went up to her, told her that I loved her and that I would have her to be my wife," he shared.

This love at first sight, however, was not returned by his beloved. In fact, Eva, 68 turned down his advances and went about her day.

"One morning I was going to work and we passed each other. What he said to me was that he would like to marry me. I said no," she recalled. However, the seed was planted and she couldn't stop thinking about him.

"The next time I saw him, I made up my mind and said yes. And you see when I said so, he said, 'Oh, I was giving you until the 20th of July'," she said. That date just happens to be her birthday. This became the starting point of their romantic journey.

"I thank God today because I am not sorry; I am not with regret. If he gets hurt, I hurt too," she added.

Eva explained that they decided on a December wedding date because it gave them time to court and receive the proper permission from her parents.

"He (David) gave me a letter to give my parents which said that he was going to meet them. When he came that Sunday morning, I was so nervous. However, when David stated his case of asking for their daughter's hand in marriage, my father said unto him, 'That's a man'," she said.

Eva noted that they spent that first holiday season as a married couple on 'lockdown', doing the things that newlyweds should do. It was the best Christmas spending quality time together as a couple and a family. Nine months later, their first bundle of joy was born. They have since had 10 more wonderful children and all 11 are grown up, active members of the church and happily married.

"No one can say that we failed. We stand on the promises of God," Eva said. Life wasn't always easy, David added, but he ensured that they did right by each other and by the children as dedicated parents. Taking the time out to steal kisses in between dialogue, David and Eva shared that the ingredients of a happy and successful marriage include love, communication, patience and understanding.

"I remember my grandmother saying 'teeth and tongue must meet', but if you keep the peace, things will roll on. And I've passed that on to my children also. Any problem, just talk it over and walk it out," she said.

She also opined that the only one who can fight battles is Christ.

"Today, at this moment, we are feeling jolly good that we are on the Lord's side and that we are blessed to see so many years of marriage. No one else could take us but God. The family that prays together, stays together," said Eva.