73 years and they're still in love

Stan and Daphne Burton say their marriage is a partnership.

Kari Bourne

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What's the key to a happy marriage?

• Keeping the romance alive.
• Hanging out together often.
• Giving each other space.
• Considering each other's feelings.
• Never forgetting to compromise.
• Sex, sex and more sex.
• Not sweating the small stuff.
• A combination of the above.
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STAN and Daphne Burton’s recipe for marital bliss is simple.

The couple that plays together stays together.

Stan and Daphne, who celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary at their Buderim home yesterday, said they still loved each other today as much as the first day they met.

They are looking forward to May 13, when Daphne celebrates her 100th birthday.

“The secret to making a marriage stay strong is to make sure it’s a partnership,” 93-year-old Stan said.

“My favourite thing about Daph is that she has always been so understanding.

“She’s a really strong person, too.”

The Burtons lived in Papua New Guinea for six years after they were married, until the outbreak of World War II.

Unable to have children, they took comfort in each other’s company, something they said made them closer and stronger as a couple.

Stan joined the army while in Papua New Guinea and Daphne returned to Australia, where she was actively involved in the war effort.

Her worst nightmare came true, however, when Stan went missing in action for three months.

Daphne said that while he was missing she thought she would never smile again.

“The day Stan got back from the war was the happiest of my life,” she said.

“While he was missing it was agony.

“All I could think about was if he was dead or if he had been taken captive.

“It was so hard.”

Daphne said she and Stan had been blessed with a happy life.

It is a life she would not change one bit.

“I love his generous spirit and he is the most understanding person I have ever met,” Daphne said.

“I could not have chosen a better husband.”

What's the key to a successful marriage? Tell us what you think, leave your comments below ...