Albert and Alsaida Thompson. - elgin taylor

Elgin Taylor , Star Writer

Albert and Alsaida Thompson of Vineyard district in St Elizabeth have been together as man and wife for the past 58 years.

The couple met in Salt Spring district in the parish of St Elizabeth in 1943. Alsaida was born in this district, while Albert was born in Malvern, also in the parish.

Salt Spring district, which was situated some three and a half miles from the town of Black River, was later abandoned in the sixties because of constant flooding from heavy rains. The residents were relocated to Vineyard through a Land Settlement Scheme.

First encounter

Sitting in a soft-cushioned chair all spruced-up, the couple relived their first encounter with Life and Times.

"As a carpenter I used to travel to Black River and surrounding districts a lot and one day she went to visit an aunt in Black River and that's when I first saw her. But we did not get to talk then. It was some time after I went to visit her grandmother in Salt Spring and I saw her again and we got to talk," he said.

"I remember it was Good Friday and we began talking for a while and we just seem to hit it off," Alsaida said. The relationship blossomed over the next few months and years and ended in marriage on March 24, 1949.

God's help

The couple has had their ups and down over the years, but said that God has seen them through all the rough patches. Mr Thompson revealed that during the early stage of their relationship he was young and hot-headed and sought solace in the arms of other women.

His wife, in a voice free from malice said that there was one woman in particular that got her really angry because she was taking so much of his time. However, she stated that though she refused to speak to him for days, she prepared his cooked meals and washed and ironed his clothes.

This extraordinary couple said that all that is behind them now and they are more in love than ever before and enjoying each others company so much.

Both are respected elders in their community, and are affectionately referred to as 'Mass Albutt" and Miss Sita'. They are ardent worshippers at the Baptist Church in Vineyard.

Albert is 96 years old and his wife Alsaida is 90. The union has produced 10 children eight boys and two girls.