IT was love at first sight for Minas and Despina Zeremes when they met on a Brisbane tram six decades ago.
The pair, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this month, first met when Mrs Zeremes - then Despina Xenoudakis - was headed to work.
"As soon as dad saw mum she caught his eye. She made all her own clothes and was wearing a white and black striped top with the collar up and a black rock and roll skirt," daughter Maria Bourke said.
"He admired her and followed her to the Rialto Theatre at West End. Mum ... came from a very strict Greek family (and) was too shy to show any interest."
In the weeks and months that followed, Mr Zeremes would find excuses to get closer to her, riding up and down her street on his motorbike.
"(At the theatre), dad would go out at interval and talk to her sisters and buy them drinks and chocolates so he could get closer to mum," Mrs Bourke said.
"They would go to the Ahepa Hall and Cloudland for dancing. Mum thought dad was interested in her sister."
Later, Mr Zeremes asked to meet up with her and asked for her hand in marriage.
"Mum was so excited," Mrs Bourke said.
"Dad had to write to his parents in Egypt to ask for their blessing. The first letter dad got back (said) 'no,we did not send you to Australia to get married.'
"Dad then wrote back and said 'I want this girl - she will be my wife with your consent or not.'"
His parents soon gave their blessing and on January 3, 1960, the pair were the first couple to be married at the new Saint George Greek Church at South Brisbane.
Mrs Zeremes worked for an accounting firm until she fell pregnant with the couple's first child, while Mr Zeremes worked as a mechanic. The couple later ran a service station.
They have lived in Cleveland since 2001.
"The (highlight) of their marriage to each other has been raising four children, 10 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren and teaching them all family values and how to love one another," Mrs Bourke said.
"They are the most amazing parents, grandparents and great grandparents we could all have ever asked for."
Mrs Zeremes said she did not know if there were any secrets to a happy marriage.
"We just respect each other and we love each other. We never go to bed angry and always say goodnight and I love you."
The couple and their family celebrated their anniversary at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort on the Gold Coast.
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