Romantic hero opened a door and found key to her heart

[caption id="attachment_40944" align="alignright" width="407"] THEN (left): Deneys Vorster and Lynne Krog married at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Walmer on June 30 1984 .... AND STILL IN LOVE: Deneys and Lynne Vorster celebrated their 30th anniversary last month[/caption]

A ROMANTIC happy ending sums up a day that started out gloomy and miserable 35 years ago for Lynne Krog, who had just moved from her Humansdorp home into a new apartment in Central, Port Elizabeth. Lynne locked herself out – but handyman Deneys Vorster came to the rescue and stole her heart forever.

The Vorsters, of Newton Park, celebrated their 30th anniversary last month and shared their story.

"I had just moved in and locked my keys in the wardrobe by accident. It was around 5.30pm and I needed to get my clothes out so that I could go for supper," said Lynne, an aftercare supervisor. She remembers asking a neighbour's help, and Deneys was the "handy man" called out: "My knight in shinning armour showed up and saved me!"

She was instantly smitten by this tall gentleman who lived in the same block of flats and initially admired him from afar.

"Until I found out he had a girlfriend – then I kept my distance, forgot about him and carried on with my life. He was such a polite person though, he greeted everyone in the passage whenever he went past."

Later that year, their paths crossed again when they visited a mutual friend at the same time.

"My dreams finally came true when I heard he was now single!

"We became friends and went out with other friends on some weekends," said Lynne.

Deneys eventually asked her out: "There was some school reunion at the Edward Hotel and Den asked me to attend the function with him ... the rest is history."

In front of 120 friends and family they exchanged vows on June 30 1984 at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Walmer, with their reception at the St Columba's Presbyterian Church hall in Perridgevale.

Reminiscing on their big day, Deneys recalled: "Everyone had a good time, we were surrounded by so much love and laughter."

"The smile on his face as I walked down the isle said everything," Lynne added.

Deneys said his wife's commitment and unconditional love were very special to him. The Vorsters have three daughters – Nicola, Eleanor and Christine.