Few people will need reminding of the devastation that COVID-19 has caused, as the shadow of Omicron hangs over us.
But a couple in their 70s from Penrith — who both beat COVID in autumn 2020 — were determined that this Christmas would be a special one.
At St Andrew’s Church in the town, Barbara, 78, and Frank Langley, 72, walked down the aisle again and renewed their marriage vows.
Watched by around 30 friends and relatives — all wearing face coverings — the couple repeated their commitments in a celebration and thanksgiving of married life.
The couple, who still regularly enjoy a romantic twirl around the dancefloor on Saturday nights at the Beacon Social Club, first said I do in 1978 at Penrith Methodist Church and on January 14 celebrate 44 years together.
And as the Rev Beth Honey rightly noted at the service the week before Christmas, their “infectious and mischievous” friendship and love for each is clear to see in their eyes.
Rev Honey told the congregation: “Today is a celebration, a celebration of love and a celebration of commitment, a celebration of family and a moment in time to look back and be thankful.
“Life has thrown Barbara and Frank, as I’m sure it has many of you, significant challenges, even in recent months and years, but we arrive here today at this moment.”
Barbara’s sons — Stewart and Gary Pimblett — jointly gave their mother away with the couple’s son Richard acting as best man to Frank.
The scene was completed by Finnish granddaughter Sophia, two and a half, who was the flower girl, and joins their three grandsons to complete a foursome of grandchildren.
Barbara told the Herald: “I’m a tough old bird and COVID was very mild for me, but Frank was really, really poorly with it.
“I thought I was going to lose him and he wouldn’t let me call out a doctor or an ambulance.
“He was really poorly for about a week and when he recovered I told him that he didn’t know how worried I had been and that we needed to do something to show our appreciation for each other.”
Frank, a retired roofer, declared the wedding day “lovely” and said it had brought back many good memories.
He told the Herald that Barbara meant everything to him and kept him going, but of his own battle with COVID, Frank would only concede he had been a “bit rough for about three days — like a really bad hangover!”
Barbara, a regular volunteer at charity shops in Penrith, confessed she even got her dress from one and said the special day was “wonderful”.
The service saw the entire congregation vow to “support and uphold” them in their marriage in the years to come and give the happy couple a rousing round of applause.
They left church to the mandolin of the Irish classic Sweet Sixteen — having met on a village green — before heading off for an intimate but scaled-down reception at The George Hotel.
There they were serenaded by singer Michael Trotter, whose parents run the Beacon Social Club.
