For every night of their marriage Albert Dyer has reached over and kissed his wife, Barbara, on the forehead before turning out the lights.

That’s around 21,900 goodnight smooches.

The Dyers were married 60 years ago, on September 16, 1954 at St Mark’s Church in Smith’s. They first met as teenagers.

“He was working on a job near where I lived on St Mark’s Road,” said Mrs Dyer. “I used to walk by him and would stop and talk. We would have little conversations. One thing led to another. It was just conversation that attracted us to each other. He would tell me what he was doing on the job and things like that.”

They don’t really remember where they went on their first date but they believe it was probably to the movies.

“It hasn’t always been easy,” Mrs Dyer said. “Everyone has their ups and downs. It was sometimes a rough road but we tolerated it and enjoyed each other’s company.”

Their advice to young couples just coming along is to try to understand each other.

“If you have an argument, try to get it sorted out,” Mrs Dyer said. “You don’t want to go to bed miserable. As mature as we are, every night he leans over and kisses me on the forehead. I think sometimes young couples, when they first get married, they want too much.”

Mrs Dyer worked for 31 years at the Mid-Ocean Club as supervisor of the house. Mr Dyer was a mason and built more houses around the Island than he can count today. He also built his own home on Somersall Road in Smith’s.

“It took me about six months,” said Mr Dyer.

Mrs Dyer and their then teenage daughter Alberta, helped him where they could by doing tasks such as laying slate.

“It was very satisfying to live in a house built by our own hands,” said Mrs Dyer. “We’ve now been living here about 40 years.”

Like most couples, they have amusing stories from their decades of life together.

“When we had our first car, he was teaching me how to drive,” said Mrs Dyer. “We got up to the top of the hill near where the Tucker’s Point Club is now and I turned off the key. He said ‘why did you turn the key off?’ I said, ‘well, I’m just trying to save gas’. He was annoyed. He said, ‘Turn that key back on.’”

Mr Dyer said he’d never forget their first day of marriage.

“I woke up in the morning and she said she was going to make me breakfast in bed,” said Mr Dyer. “I thought, this is the life. I’d never had breakfast in bed before. She came into the bedroom in tears. I said, ‘Honey, what’s wrong?’ She said, ‘I just burned the eggs’.”

In their younger days they loved to fish in St David’s, in Dockyard, but particularly from Watch Hill Park in Smith’s. They don’t do it as much anymore. She said they mostly caught yellow grunts.

They have travelled extensively. Mrs Dyer likes to play bingo and Mr Dyer likes to golf.

“I did try to teach her how to golf once,” said Mr Dyer, “but she insisted on trying to play with her left hand when she is right-handed.”

The Dyers celebrated their 60th anniversary quietly with a dinner with their family. They have one daughter, Alberta Dyer Tucker, a son-in-law Jay Tucker, and a granddaughter, Tanaya Tucker, who has just passed the Bar.

“We just want to thank the Lord for getting us this far,” said Mrs Dyer.