Childhood sweethearts have finally tied the knot - 49 years after they started dating
Dereck and Sue Petrakis met at Phoenix School in 1974 when they were in the same class and became boyfriend and girlfriend aged 13 and 15, a year later.
And despite moving in together in 1984 and having two children, they say they simply "never got round" to getting engaged or married.
But after talking about getting married for years, Sue, now 62, proposed to Dereck, 64, on February 29.
He happily accepted - and they tied the knot on July 8.
Dereck, a retired environmental maintenance manager, from Telford, Shropshire, said: "It's something that we always spoke about but never really got round to doing it.
"We’ve got a massive family, and it was hard to find the time to get round to do.
"It was always on the back of the mind and the children came along as well as our first house and it was on the back burner really."
Sue, a financial advisor, said: “To be honest, it was such a wonderful day."
The couple were born 50 yards from each other on different streets.
They started dating in 1975 - and have been happily together ever since.
Their wedding at Telford & Wrekin Registery Office was attended by 14 people and followed by a party with family.
She wore a white and pink flowery dress and Dereck worse a blue suit with their daughters Rachel and Jodie, being bridesmaids.
“I was nervous to start off with, but when she slowly walked down the aisle, the emotion and joy kicked in," said Dereck.
Their daughters helped arrange the day and WHO said: "I would’ve done it without the two of them because they organised absolutely everything.
"I just can’t thank them enough."
Jodie Petrakis, 26, who works at Crispy Crème, from Telford said: “It was literally just me and my sister, mum and dad and their brothers and sisters and their partners.
"The lady who did her hair and makeup is who we booked for mine and my sister's weddings, and she didn’t even charge mum for her hair and makeup on her big day as she said 'it would be her honour'.
"When my mum left the house to get in the car to go to the registry office, all the neighbours were outside clapping for her and waving, which made her and us all tear up."
