A change of plans leads to love for Ian and Meredith

In 2008, when Mr Ian Ottway received the news that he would have to alter the plans for his upcoming holiday to Western Australia, little did he realise that Cupid’s arrow was about to strike.

‘I was living in Albury, Victoria, and I had a phone call to say the particular coach holiday that I had booked was cancelled due to a lack of numbers,’ Ian says. ‘The organiser offered me a spot at a different time, mentioning that the group would include some people from Adelaide. The change of date didn’t bother me – I was retired from my career as tailor in the army – so I said yes.’

Also on that tour was Meredith, a retired schoolteacher from Prospect, South Australia. Both Ian and Meredith had previously been married but had lost their spouses to cancer, Ian twice so.

‘We hit it off straight away,’ Meredith says. ‘We always had things to talk about, and over the two-week holiday we found that our paths kept intertwining.’

When the holiday finished, the couple shared a warm ‘goodbye’ kiss, but they both knew they wanted to keep in touch. Regular phone calls and visits took place, and it wasn’t long before Ian made the move across the country. He moved in with Meredith and, with the blessing of their children (they each have four), they decided to get married.

The couple tied the knot at Carrick Hill on May 13, 2012, surrounded by family and friends. Meredith was 73 and Ian was 77.

‘When Meredith walked through the garden archway towards me, the foliage came up on either side and then dipped in the middle, forming the shape of a heart – it was just beautiful,’ Ian says.

Valentines’ celebrations

In 2022, Ian and Meredith moved into Resthaven Westbourne Park.

‘I visit Meredith’s room every morning and we spend the day together,’ Ian says. ‘We have our meals together in the dining room and at night I make sure she’s in bed before I go back to my room to go to sleep.’

Last year, to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Resthaven Westbourne Park invited residents to wear the outfits they had worn on the day they were married, as well as put their wedding photos on display. Ian and Meredith proudly donned their wedding attire and Ian surprised Meredith with a bunch of artificial red roses.

‘When Meredith held the flowers against her red wedding outfit, she looked every bit as beautiful as the day we were married,’ Ian says.

The flowers now sit proudly on Meredith’s dressing table.

Keeping active

‘I will get older, but I’m not getting old,’ Ian laughs. He stays active by walking to the Mitcham Shopping Centre, and regularly does quizzes and crosswords to keep his mind sharp. He also fills in at the Resthaven Westbourne Park shop, having previously volunteered there a day a week.

Meredith enjoys the activities at the home, including watching Andre Rieu concerts and taking part in balloon tennis and Bingo. They are both looking forward to celebrating their 12^th wedding anniversary later this year.

Valentine’s Day will offer another chance for the couple to reflect on their later-life romance with joy.

Click here to find out more about Resthaven Westbourne Park