It's been a quiet but joyful time - just the two of us. We decided to spend Christmas alone, with no family, no friends and it's been smashing....he even cooked the entire Christmas dinner on his own! (okay I peeled the vegetables)! And it was excellent.

This Christmas would also have marked my parent's 46th wedding anniversary (they got married on the 23rd December 1961) - sadly, my father didn't make it through a battle with cancer last year. My parents had one of the most solid marriages I have ever seen - they made it through everything in their vows from 'for richer, for poorer, for better for worse, in sickness and in health to forsaking all others' ...and were an inspiration to everyone they knew.

Also celebrating a long and happy marriage this Christmas were Francis and Ida Ruth Southey, who renewed their marriage vows on Christmas Eve after 65 years (yes, SIXTY FIVE years) of wedded life. Their original wedding took place on 24th December 1942. Both ceremonies were a surprise for Ida - her husband organised everything without telling her. How fabulous is that? A true Mr Romantic.

I bet life hasn't been plain sailing for them - no marriage is without it's ups and downs - and yet here they are. Married for 65 years. Wow! I have no idea how they've done it - but it's marvellous - even if Ida Ruth shrugs it off as normal.

"As my mother always said, when you are married, you are married for life and that's what we did," Ruth said. "It's just life, that's what it is. Just life."

She's right.