They also wrote love letters to each other.

“We would write letters to each other daily. I remember showing my friends his letters and telling them how neat his hand writing was for a boy, only to find out after we were married that his sister used to write it for him,” she laughed.

Her parents were not happy with their relationship.

“He would visit on a Saturday and sit at my house until 10:30 pm. My parents were very strict and I was not allowed to leave him or go anywhere without my older brother. Then, on a Sunday morning they would be back by 8am. I remember my mum used to get so frustrated. Little did we know that he had family in Tongaat and used to sleep over there,” said Zulifa.

After four months of dating they finally married in 1994.

“I left school after four months of dating and we were engaged. Eight months after we were married.”

However, her parents were upset with her choice.

“They wanted me to finish school first and then think about marriage. My parents were not too happy with the decisions I made but I insisted and they had to finally give in and let me live my life,” she said.

The couple married in March 1994 at their home in Tongaat.

“It wasn't a very big wedding. There were only 50 people. It was just my close family and his. I was very excited because he was my first boyfriend. I was nervous and naïve. When our son was born, my parents mellowed. They were over the moon. He was the first grandson and the apple of their eye ,” she said.

Fazil said life had its ups and downs.

“It has not been an easy journey and we had a lot of obstacles in our path. But 31 years later here we are, happy and living life with our little family.

“We owe Lonely Heart’s our family because without it, we would not be here today. We have two beautiful kids together and a grandchild,” he said.

“There were lots of people who were not too happy but we still got married. It was tough at times but we always made it work,” said Fazil.

They said everyone should have their own Lonely Heart’s experience at least once.

“I would say just go for it. You will never know what fate has in store for you until you give it a shot and yes I would definitely do it again, I have no regrets.

“Times have changed and so have people. Today couples are too hasty to throw in the towel when times get tough. Our times were different. We always worked through the hard times together.

Marriage is for the good times and bad,” added Fazil.

THE POST

lonely hearts

Couple celebrate 31 years after meeting on POST's Lonely Hearts