By DAVID DUNKLEY, Staff Reporter
30 YEARS: Nathaniel and Louise Scarlett, 30 years of a wonderful marriage. -Ian Allen
NATHANIEL and Louise Scarlett believe the love they share is unbreakable and nothing, except for death, can make them part.
It's no surprise then that the couple from Black River, St. Elizabeth, already have 30 years of marriage under their belts and are looking for another 30.
"I don't see which way we could mash up, none," Mr. Scarlett, 75, told THE WEEKEND STAR as he sat beside his 73-year-old wife. "We trust God and ask him to guide us and take care of us and is must death part the two of us."
Nathaniel and Louise met in Black River, St. Elizabeth in 1957. Nathaniel operated a shop in the community but lived at a nearby district called Longwood, while Louise lived in the town with her sister and worked at a doctor's office there.
Nathaniel recalled that one day Louise came to his shop to buy goods and he began making conversation and sweet talking her. His arguments must have been good as soon after they became good friends.
They got serious about their relationship and began living together. After three years of living a common-law relationship, they were encouraged to get married by members of a nearby church.
This they did at a friend's house on August 20, 1960.
The couple are the proud parents of nine children, six girls and three boys. Three of the children are in the United States, two live in Canada while the rest live with them. Two of the boys and two of the girls are married. They say they have more than 30 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Both are members of the Black River Methodist Church. Shortly after the marriage Mr. Scarlett got a job with the St. Elizabeth Parish Council with which he worked for 25 years before retiring.
