In July 1965 Modesta met Ted, and it was instant attraction and love at first sight. Their meeting was by chance. Teds old banger for a motor car had broken down in a country lane when Modesta and a friend passed by as they were out walking. As they passed him, Ted noticed that they seemed to be laughing at his predicament. A little later on the same day Ted met them again. Modesta smiled at him and Ted immediately asked her out for a date. After a few short months of dating, Ted and Modesta both felt that they belonged together, and they were married at St Ambrose Catholic Church Warlingham on the 9th of October 1965. This was the beginning of 54-year long journey together.