As couples across Northern Ireland prepare to celebrate Valentine’s Day, one husband and wife say they are more in love today than when they wed over half a century ago.
John McClean (81) and his wife Hazel (80) are originally from Dunmurry, Co Antrim, but currently reside in Lisburn Care Home.
“I still tell her that I love her” – Northern Ireland couple celebrate 53 years of marriage
Ahead of February 14, the team there planned a special Valentine’s Day-themed party for the pair on Wednesday as they are the only couple staying at the home.
John said: “Fifty-three years later we are still here — and enjoying it even more, and I still say to her that I love her, and I do.”
They are both passionate Christians and met through their church.
Their minister asked John to speak during a service – at the time he was a student at Stranmillis College, training to be a teacher.
After the service Hazel’s mother introduced herself to John.
“She said ‘My daughter would like to go to college and become a teacher… she’s a Christian’, and I said ‘That’s great, that’s exactly what I needed to hear’,” John said.
John and Hazel McClean who are celebrating Valentine’s Day at Lisburn Care Home on the 12th February 2025 (Photo by Luke Jervis / Belfast Telegraph)
The pair soon became friends and John decided to invite Hazel to a local concert.
Hazel said: “John phoned to my home and asked me if I would go with him, and I said ‘Yes’ and I put the phone down and went into my parents’ room and I said ‘You wouldn’t believe this but John McClean’s asked me out’ and they were delighted. They were pleased, they approved of him.”
John said he liked Hazel for a long time before he actually asked her out, and admitted he was nervous she would decline the date.
“I wanted to see her out, see what she was like when she was out and about, I was pleased she said yes,” John said.
Hazel said she knew almost instantly that she wanted to be with John forever.
“I think we both knew that this was going somewhere, that it wasn’t just a night thing, I felt like it could really be the beginning of the rest of my life,” Hazel said.
John and Hazel McClean who are celebrating Valentine’s Day at Lisburn Care Home on the 12th February 2025 (Photo by Luke Jervis / Belfast Telegraph)
John and Hazel both went on to become teachers.
They married in 1972 and soon after welcomed a baby daughter.
Their daughter now lives in England so the pair rely on each other.
“I lean on him, I need him to be there for me, when I’m doing something, I’ll lean on John and he helps me out, it’s just an ongoing partnership,” Hazel said.
She admits there is no great secret to long-lasting relationships but is excited to enjoy more years of marriage with John.
“I do not have the answer, the magic key that will open the door to happiness forever and ever Amen,” she added.
“I’ll tell you about the two of us, we have just stuck together and John’s just always there, he turns up like a bad penny every time and it’s a very difficult thing to explain, never mind analyse. You can’t pin it on a board and say ‘There you go — that’s the way’.”