Meet Mavis and John Ryan, the Caribbean duo whose love has stood the test of time, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday 17th July.

John and Mavis came to England during the Windrush era. John made his voyage from Montserrat and Mavis came to England from Jamaica a year later.

In 1969, three years after Mavis’s arrival to the UK she received a knock at her door that would change her life forever. 

“First time he came to the house, he came to look for a friend but his friend wasn’t in… When I saw him, I fell in love at the sight of this young man – he was handsome, so friendly and happy,” Mavis told The Voice.    

John, who is better known as ‘Mr Ryan’ caught Mavis’s attention from the start and his warm, humorous nature won her over. “I remember it was a Sunday afternoon,  when I met her the old toes them were ‘wiggling’ – I knew this was a nice young lady,” Mr Ryan shared. 

From there the couple started dating, Mr Ryan took Mavis to the pictures and so they had their first date at an Odeon theatre.  They formed an inseparable bond and began an amazing partnership.

“I remember it was a Sunday afternoon,  when I met her the old toes them were ‘wiggling’ – I knew this was a nice young lady,”

“I did not want anybody else, if anyone came to ask me any questions I would tell them I’m not interested.  After I met him I told everyone I had a boyfriend, people told me not to put all my eggs in one basket but I don’t care,”  Mavis explained. 

Marriage

They couple continued to thrive and naturally marriage was the next step however not everyone was a fan of their union. 

“The only problem was that he was from Montserrat and in those days people from Jamaica called him ‘small island’ which he didn’t like,” Mavis explained. 

In those days caribbeans tended to marry within their islands however Mavis had fallen in love and she quickly sought advice writing a letter to her Mother who was back home in Jamaica.  “It’s nothing to do with the island you’re from, it’s about the person you are with,” Mavis’ mum advised her daughter. 

With that advice Mavis was ready to take the next step and marry Mr Ryan to the joy of his brothers and sisters who had been pressuring him about marrying Mavis. 

“I didn’t get down on one knee, I just asked her – would you like to marry me, and she said yes,” Mr Ryan tells The Voice. 

They couple got married in 1971, Mr Ryan was set to move to the US but he knew he couldn’t leave Mavis. 

Best moments 

Mavis and Mr Ryan have shared many achievements and beautiful moments over the last 50 years. They purchased a beautiful family home, welcomed six children together and travelled to various destinations. 

“Up to today we always share special moments,” Mr Ryan tells The Voice. 

Mr Ryan is 79 and Mavis 82, the couple brought the family home that they still live in today in 1976. After living off £3-£4 a week  when they first arrived in the UK, Mr Ryan found employment with British Rail which came with a significant pay rise.  They are an example of the hardworking nature of the windrush generation.

They have 6 children, 3 sons, 3 daughters and 23 grandchildren and Mavis has a very caring nature, always putting her children’s needs first. 

Another great memory was introducing each other to their respective Caribbean islands. 

“I like Monsterrat, the beaches and sea are beautiful…we also went on a Caribbean and Mediterrian cruise,” Mavis shared. 

The couple have visited many Caribbean islands, Mr Ryan remembers swimming in the freezing waters of the Portland river, the parish where Mavis grew up.

Greatest Challenges  

The couple describe some of the recent times as the hardest challenges they faced. 

Mavis is currently unwell and has been ill on and off since 2012 with a stroke last year leaving her bedriddned. Mr Ryan is her full time career and has vowed to spend the rest of his day caring for his wife. 

“It came automatically – I did not make a decision. One thing I said is that she isn’t going to any home she is staying here,” Mr Ryan explained. 

Earlier this year Mavis’s health took a turn for the worse and she was admitted into hospital, during this time hospice staff visited them to discuss Mavis going into a hospice. 

“I tell her [hospice staff]  I’m not going anywhere, I’m staying right here!” Mavis said. 

True to their marriage vows the couple have stuck together through sickness and health. 

Sadly, they recently lost one of their sons unexpectedly laying him to rest on the 2nd July.  “Having the children when they were likkle with a couple of pounds was hard but the biggest challenge right now is that she is not able to do anything and we’ve just lost a son,” Mr Ryan shared. Despite this the couple remain high spirited and their home is filled with joy and love. 

“Water come to eyes, my heart fills, but the Father God gives me strength,” Mr Ryan shared. 

Sound Advice 

Like many from the Windrush generation Mavis and John are filled with sound advice.  They have made black love last for over 50 years and to this day they are happy, humble and hilarious together with the two jesting throughout our interview. 

It’s not always bliss, “teeth and tongue must meet,” Mr Ryan tells us.  This means that arguments must happen in patios, however they advised to resolve issues and never go to bed angry. 

“No matter what kinda argument you have out there, never do it in front of anybody. Even if something happens outside, wait til you get home to talk about it.  “Never argue in front of anybody and never argue in front of your children,” Mr Ryam said. 

“Don’t run into a young man unless you’re very sure – these young men are not like the ones from years back – they don’t love the same”

Even though Mavis was head over heels for Mr Ryan and committed straight away she advises young women today to exercise more caution. 

“Don’t run into a young man unless you’re very sure – these young men are not like the ones from years back they don’t love the same,” Mavis shared. 

The couple also advised to share assets equally.  “We share things together…I don’t want everything for my own. We share it, if he’s buying something big he calls me before, everything we own both our name is on it,” Mavis advises. 

They are still very much in love and still have fun with one another. 

“Up to now I am still in love with her, as long as we’re both kicking I will love her,” Mr Ryan tells  The Voice

The Voice wishes John and Mavis a happy golden anniversary, 50 years of black love is definitely worthy of a big celebration and we hope they enjoy their day!