1956. It was Mrs. Symons who initiated the relationship. And ten years later, they were newlyweds. "We actually met at The Royal Gazette building when it was on Reid Street. I was 23 years old and worked there for three years as a compositor. I think I met him one Sunday afternoon when I was out for a walk.

I introduced myself and when I went to work at The Royal Gazette , I found him there.'' Mrs. Symons said she and her husband managed to raise two children and have a successful marriage despite the most trying of circumstances.

"We're able to put more time together now, but my husband was working at night and when he got home in the morning I was off to work. I believe that if you work together, anything can last. There's too much of this pulling at one end. It must be a give and take situation.'' In that light, said Mrs. Symons, any role taken on by today's women, should not have a detrimental effect on relationships. "Today, both spouses sometimes have two jobs and women are taking on more responsibilities. Half the time when they get home, there's no time even to cook for the kids and being at home with your family makes a difference. "Any problems should be straightened out before you marry. Also, people today insist on having this and that in their house. It just doesn't make sense. When we moved into our home, we made do with what we had. We didn't have to have the best of everything right away.'' PHOTO Robert and Iris Symons 1956