HE WAS a sailor and she was a teenager in love.
Now, a Bransholme couple are celebrating 60 years of marriage.
Following family tradition, Veronica and Jordan Milner married on Boxing Day in 1952 at St Mary's and St Peter's in Hessle Road, west Hull.
Veronica, 78, said they met in the Admiral Hawk Pub in Hessle after she had been to a picture house with her mother.
"I talk to anybody and started chatting to Jordan, who was in the Royal Navy," she said.
"I liked sailor boys and it was definitely the uniform that caught my eye.
"We started writing to each other and, a year later, he wrote to me asking to marry me.
"My mother and grandmother married on Boxing Day, so I wanted to do the same.
"It was a lovely day and we later had eight children in eight years."
Jordan served 14 years with the Royal Navy and travelled to the likes of Hong Kong before working at a car scrapyard until he retired.
Veronica has had a number of jobs including working in a fruit and vegetable shop and at Castle Hill Hospital.
The couple, of Raucerby Close, now have an even bigger family, with 21 grandchildren, 41 great- grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
Jordan, 84, said he enjoys having a big family and loves his wife dearly – although Christmas can be an expensive occasion.
"I love everything about Veronica but I daren't answer her back when she's bossy," he says.
Veronica said she loves his "cantankerous moods" but still danced with him to old records to celebrate their anniversary.
They also organised a huge family meal at the Lambwath Crown Carvery in Sutton Road, Hull.
"I've been up since 7am with music on full-blast dancing around," she said.
"Our marriage is brilliant and we've had a lovely Christmas.
"It's been a tough year with quite a lot of illness in the family but celebrating our special anniversary has definitely cheered us up."
The couple also received a card from the Queen and had an anniversary cake.
Veronica said: "I'm domineering but Jordan puts up with it. He's a great husband."
