Securing a love in the fast lane

[caption id="attachment_34000" align="alignright" width="600"] THEN: Marlon Solomon married Noleen Saptoe at the Edward Hotel 15 years ago ... AND NOW: Noleen and Marlon Solomon celebrated their 15th anniversary last month. Picture: BRIAN WITBOOI[/caption]

ALTHOUGH the Solomons have not yet reached revered milestones like 50 or even 30 years of marriage, as a modern working couple – who recently celebrated their 15th anniversary – they have shared and overcome challenges.

Marlon, 41, who is a service manager at Telkom and Noleen, 39, a project assistant at Aurecon, an engineering management company, celebrated their crystal wedding anniversary last month.

They cited juggling work and child-rearing as their major struggle.

"My husband used to work long hours, a lot of over-time and was on standby sometimes," said Noeleen.

She said time spent alone with the children would be frustrating and tiring. "But, through all of that, we've learned to compromise, talk about and understand the reasons behind the workload and what's expected of the other's career," she added.

Marlon added: "I've learned a lot over the years and realised one has to balance things out. I try to switch off once I leave the office so that when I'm home it's family time with my wife and kids."

The Gelvan Park pair who share their lives with children, Michqa, 12, and Tireeq, nine, met through a mutual friend 20 years ago and married at the Edward Hotel on May 22 1999.

"Our marriage is team work, the more we put in the more we get out. With God as the foundation, we learn through our mistakes," they shared.

Noleen said her then suitor visited her (she was then Noeleen Saptoe) at her house one day and asked her out. "I was so shy, I didn't know what to say to him but from that day he visited me regularly. He proposed on my birthday August 8 1998 and we got married nine months later."

Marlon wanted to get married sooner than that but had to wait until his beauty was ready. "It was just meant to be,' he said. "When I met her it was love at first sight."

Noeleen said she "could see from day one that he's a very committed person and knows what he wants. I knew I was in capable hands."

Although Noleen admitted to keeping guests waiting for about an hour on their wedding day she said it was "a dream come true...something every woman dreams of". The then groom recalled that he was "cool and calm, just waiting for her". The Solomons said they had a simple wedding with about 120 family members and close friends attending.

In the 15 years of marriage one especially memorable event that the pair will always treasure was when their two children were born.

"My husband was next to me when both our kids were born," Noleen said. Her husband added: "she gave me two beautiful kids. I had never thought I would be a dad one day."

Noleen said she loved her husband's commitment to his family. "He is the most hard working man I've ever met! "If he would pop the question again I would definitely say yes...marry him all over again!"

"My wife is a family person and surprises me with nice treats now and again. I am not a man of many words – but if she wants something done, I am the man," added Marlon. - Balisa Ntloko