A love story built on laughter, resilience, and devotion – Zeta and Russell’s journey shows that true love only grows stronger with time.
For Zeta and Russell, love was not about grand gestures or fairy-tale perfection. It was about showing up for each other, day after day, year after year – through the laughter, the challenges, and all the little moments that make a life.
Zeta sadly passed away soon after our chat with her and Russell, but we are honoured to be able to share their love story, which stands as a testament to the kind of devotion that lasts a lifetime. A tremendous 62 years of marriage! A love built on kindness, humour, and the simple joy of being each other’s person.
A love that began with a little white lie
Their story began, as all great love stories do, with a touch of mischief.
They first met at a swimming carnival in New Zealand, where teenage Russell confidently declared to his mates that he was going to ask Zeta out. And he did.
But Zeta, just 14 at the time, told him she had to babysit – a little fib to get out of saying yes.
“He must have carried that with him for four years,” Zeta laughed.
When fate brought them back together years later, Russell hadn’t forgotten.
“The last time I met you, you told me a lie,” he reminded her.
By then, Zeta was older, working at the nurses’ home where Russell was visiting another girl. When he arrived in the carpark, unaware that his date’s shift had changed, Zeta and her fellow nurses playfully pelted his car with toothbrushes and combs from the windows above.
Rather than being offended, Russell called up, “Instead of throwing things down on top of me, why don’t you come down and talk to me?”
So she did.
That night, when he asked her out again, Zeta’s answer was different: “Oh, I’d love to!”
And from that moment, their love story truly began.
A life built together, one adventure at a time
Since their wedding day on 25 May 1962, Zeta and Russell built a life full of love, family, and resilience. They raised two boys – Adrian and Ashley – and weathered life’s ups and downs with humour and grit.
“We weren’t made of money,” Zeta said, “but we always did our best and had many good times.”
One of those chapters was running a Motor Camp- a sprawling property that became more than just a business. It was a community, a place where travelers, families, and locals alike felt at home. But for Zeta, it was also an opportunity to care for others in the way only she could.
The Motor Camp wasn’t just a job – it was a reflection of the way Zeta and Russell lived their lives: looking out for others, finding joy in the everyday, and creating a place where everyone felt welcome.
The secret to lasting love
Ask Russell what has kept their marriage strong, and his answer is simple but profound:
“You’ve got to be tolerant. You can’t get too annoyed about things. You’ve got to look after your wife, and she’s got to look after you.”
Even when Zeta went into our Cypress Gardens Aged Care Residence, their bond remained unshakable.
“She always tells me how much she loves me, and I return that, don’t I?” Russell said. “Last night, I held her hand most of the night. We’ve spent a hell of a lot of time together.”
The power of love in later years
At TriCare, we understand that love stories don’t end when someone needs additional care – they simply enter a new chapter. Our communities provide an environment where couples like Zeta and Russell can continue their journey together, supported by compassionate care that respects the importance of these precious relationships.
Zeta and Russell’s love story is more than just romantic – it’s a reminder of the importance of connection, companionship, and care in later life.
Research from The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that older adults with strong emotional bonds experience lower stress levels, better cognitive health, and a longer lifespan.
Another study in The Australian Journal on Ageing highlights that socially engaged seniors experience greater well-being and a stronger sense of purpose.
At TriCare, love and companionship are valued, whether it’s long-time partners like Zeta and Russell cherishing every moment together, or friendships that make life richer and more meaningful.
A love that leaves a legacy
Russell describes Zeta as the kind of woman everyone loved, someone with an instinctive kindness that touched everyone she met.
“She cared for people. When we had the Motor Camp, she’d check on all the old folks. They had this system where they’d lower their blinds to a certain length at night, and if someone forgot, she’d drive over to make sure they were alright,” he recalls with pride.
And for Zeta, her favourite thing about Russell?
She grinned mischievously. “Probably couldn’t tell you, might be a bit rude.”
Their story is one of love – not just the romantic kind, but the kind that is woven into the very fabric of a life well lived.
This Valentine’s Day, celebrate the love that lasts
Not every love story begins with fireworks. Some start with a little lie about babysitting, a handful of toothbrushes thrown out a window, and a chance encounter that turns into forever.
This Valentine’s Day, Zeta and Russell remind us all that love is found in the small moments, the laughter, and the unwavering care for one another.
It’s a love that doesn’t fade. It only deepens. And that is something truly worth celebrating.
Happy Valentine’s Day. ❤️
