據英國《每日郵報》報道，1972年，英國男子大衛·巴克與戀人達芙妮·索普訂婚。但從訂婚到步入婚姻殿堂，這對戀人卻走了42年。日前，這對八旬高齡的戀人才終成眷屬。

大衛和達芙妮在一次舞會上相識，不久兩人便訂了婚。不過這對熱戀中的準夫婦似乎并不急于成婚。

直至2013年達芙妮突然心臟病發，于是大衛決定不再等待，他在自己生日當天把未婚妻帶到一家餐廳，并單膝下跪向她求婚。而面對這突如其來的幸福，達芙妮則驚喜得尖叫起來。

盡管婚戒已經不再如從前那般合適，但熱情依舊的兩人在30名親朋好友的見證下，終于攜手走入婚姻的殿堂。

Two lovestruck pensioners have finally exchanged vows - 42 years after they got engaged.

David Barker and Daphne Thorp from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, spent the past four decades waiting for the perfect moment to marry.

Despite getting engaged just four weeks after they met at a dance in 1972, Mr Barker said the couple simply "didn't want to rush" into married life.

After Mrs Thorp had a heart attack last year the couple decided not to wait any longer, and despite her engagement ring not fitting anymore, they tied the knot yesterday.

Mrs Thorp said: "I suddenly realised I wasn’t getting any younger. I thought, 'I’m not going to live another 40 years, let’s just do it now,' and I’m glad I did."

The ceremony, which coincided with Mrs Thorp's 82nd birthday, was held at Huddersfield Town Hall before a reception took place at her daughter Susan’s cafe in nearby village Slaithwaite.

Mrs Thorpe said her wedding day was "perfect".

She said: "Everything I had hoped for and more.

"It was a brilliant day and luckily the good weather has lasted."

Mrs Thorpe, who has two children from her previous marriage, added: "I’m so excited to spend the rest of my life with the man of my dreams."

The wedding, attending by about 30 people, was in stark contrast to Mrs Thorpe's first one which she said took place in a church 60 years ago, "it was interesting to see how traditions have changed since then".

Before the big day, Mr Barker spoke of his unconditional love for Mrs Thorpe.

"She’s fantastic - a great woman and I don’t know what I would do without her. I’ve always loved her and always will."

And told of the night she picked him out from a crowd: "I remember the night we met. I was at my local dance hall while Daphne was taking a beginner’s class upstairs. They were all told to go and find a partner and make them dance with them.

"She came and picked me while I was standing at the bar, all I could think at the time was she was gorgeous.

"We danced together and we’ve been together ever since. She’d been nagging me we ought to get engaged and we’ve just never found the right time - we didn’t want to rush."

Mr Barker originally popped the question on his birthday, when he took his now retired post office wife to a restaurant and got down on one knee.

The retired rail worker said: "She was screaming across the restaurant 'We’re getting married!'"

The couple will go on a short honeymoon in North Yorkshire before returning to married life.

（來源：Daily Mail 編輯：丹妮）