Valentine’s Day has lost none of its romance for Joyce and Gus Rego over their decades together.

Mr Rego has lived for the past year and several months in Westmeath Residential and Nursing Care Home, where his devoted wife visits every day.

“Love is all that matters, isn’t it?” Mrs Rego said as she sat beside her husband for a Valentine’s Day lunch.

“My husband and I met more than 40 years ago. He will be 96 in June and I will be 90 in October. We’re still very much in love.”

The couple met when Mr Rego walked into the office at the Bermudiana Hotel and introduced himself to her, and they have had a “fantastic life” ever since.

Mrs Rego said: “Today is very, very special.”

Deanna Cumberbatch-Symonds, the unit co-ordinator for residences, said the Regos made a “beautiful couple”.

The nurse added: “Joyce comes in here every day to see him, and today she walked in with a heart-shaped box of chocolates.

“The nurse joked with her: ‘Are those for me?” and she giggled and said: ‘These are for my lover’.”