A Batemans Bay couple made the most of Wednesday’s lucky date – 12/12/12 – knowing full well a special triple date wouldn’t occur for another 88 years.
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Couples around the world tied the knot on Wednesday to mark the special triple date, which won’t occur again until January 1, 2101.
Neale and Ann Ashby were among them and were married at the Murramarang headland on Wednesday afternoon, exactly a year after Mr Ashby popped the question.
“Last year I saw a lot of people were getting married on the 11th of the 11th, 2011 and it got me thinking that the 12th of the 12th 2012 is the only time in our lifetime it would come around,” Mr Ashby said.
“That got me starting to plan it in my head but I didn’t say anything to Ann about it. It came as a complete surprise.”
On December 12 last year, a Tuesday, the then Ann Hayward returned home from a day’s work to find a proposal waiting for her.
“I said ‘marry me in exactly 12 months’ time’,” Mr Ashby said.
“She was rapt, she was really happy… and she said yes, fortunately!”
“I didn’t expect it because he didn’t give any hints, and because it was a Tuesday night… that caught me out!” Mrs Ashby said.
“I guess it’s pretty romantic. He put some thought into it, that’s romantic.”
The couple has been together for about seven years.
Mr Ashby, a teacher, said he knew the dates were lucky, but there were other reasons for choosing the date.
“Being a pragmatic male, it’s a date I’ll always remember, so I’ll never forget our anniversary!” he said.
“We’re just hoping it’ll be a nice day and that’ll bring us good luck.”
Mrs Ashby said it was exciting getting married on a day that was significant.
“It’s never going to come around for about another 100 years, we’re not going to be around,” she said.
But, she said, dates aside, it would still be special.
“Any wedding’s on a special day, no matter what the date,” she said.
The couple met at a night out in Wyong on the Central Coast, started dating and moved to Batemans Bay when Mr Ashby started teaching in the area about six years ago.
On Wednesday they married at the Murramarang headland and ventured to the resort for the reception.