Easy eloping - a runaway romance

When it comes to love, age ain’t nothing but a number. Mick and Judy Almond are proof that Cupid’s arrow can strike at any time. The couple, who live at Summerset at Karaka, met at the village, fell in love, and decided to elope.

Like strong trees, their relationship took time to grow. Judy and her late husband had moved into the village around the same time as Mick, who was a widower.

“We’ve both been here six years,” says Judy. “Our villas were opposite each other, but we became friends as we both liked gardening.” The pair would chat at their respective vege gardens at the village and a friendship grew. Judy’s late husband and Mick became good mates, and when he died, widower Mick was a source of support to Judy. “We were friends for a long time but realised over the years that our feelings for one another had developed. Mick said he was nervous to change the status quo – he was hesitant to take it further in case they lost their friendship. It was up to Judy to make the first move. “I gave him a hug, and that led to a kiss,” she says simply. The pair decided to remain discreet about their relationship and keep it private. “We would scurry across the road to one another after dark!” they say in unison, laughing. Intense speculation from fellow residents led them to confirm, two years ago on Judy’s 74th birthday, that they were in fact a couple. “There were 25 guests in attendance, and when we announced it, we surprised no one!” Mick says.

Once the cat was out of the bag, the couple decided to try living together, Judy joining Mick in his villa. “I was a little apprehensive,” Mick admits. “I got married at 23, and I had lived on my own for a long time after my wife passed away.” The adage goes, you never know someone until you live with them, but happily for Mick and Judy, keeping the lines of communication open and conversations going meant they adjusted well, and after a year they moved into a larger villa. “One extra room can make a lot of difference!” says Judy.

February 2024 was a leap year month and tradition dictates that when it comes to marriage proposals, the onus is on the lady to ask the gent. Judy had been out with friends celebrating a horse sale, and the Dutch courage prompted her to propose. “I said to my friends, ‘I’m going to ask Mick to marry me.’ I texted him ‘Will you marry me?’ right there and there, and he replied with ‘Yes, please!’ I told him he’d better put a ring on it!” laughs Judy. Unbeknownst to Judy, Mick had been pondering the same thing, and had been planning to propose. “She pipped me to the post!” he said.

The pair shared their happy news to fellow residents at the village Happy Hour to rapturous applause, and chose Judy’s engagement ring together the following week.

Then, discussions of the wedding began, with a lot of people putting up their hands to be in the wedding party. The guest list was getting longer and the couple didn’t want to exclude anyone. A ceremony for just the two of them was looking more and more appealing.

The couple decided to elope to Akaroa, a place that held a special place in Judy’s heart. Choosing 8 April as their wedding day, the couple booked in a marriage celebrant and photographer, and headed to Banks Peninsula. The ceremony took place on Akaroa Wharf. “It was just us, and it was perfect,” says Judy. “The witnesses were the photographer and the celebrant’s friend. It was a beautiful, windy day. I cried happy tears throughout the ceremony.”

When the couple arrived back at the village, they discovered their front door festooned with balloons by their friends, all of whom were delighted to hear the details of their private wedding, as were their families. The couple think that their late partners would be happy they have both found love again. “We have a few coincidences – my late wife and Judy both share the same birthday, 14 November, and we all lived in Waiau Pa at the same time, but our paths never crossed,” says Mick.

At home in the village the couple are kept busy with an active social life, enjoying bowls, croquet and social drinks. “I have never been so sociable in my life!” exclaims Judy. “I find it inspiring that there are many people here, far older than us, who are active and busy. There is so much for us to do, both inside and outside the village.”

Mick is on the Resident’s Committee and spends time in the resident’s workshop, while Judy helps organises croquet games and holds weekly guided meditation classes for residents. These days, though, they share a vege garden.

This is an article from the Summer 2024 edition of Summerset Scene magazine

Click here to read the full issue