Teen attraction blossoms into a lifetime love.For some couples, it’s ‘opposites attract’ and for others, like Jim and Lillian Staal, it was an instant connection that goes back more than 65 years.A partnership in love and life was forged the moment Jim and Lillian met as teenagers in their farming community of Greenwood in 1957.“We met at a meeting of Queensland Junior Farmers,” said Jim.The organisation was founded in 1946 to help young people living in rural areas to connect with one another and to foster better farming practices. Today’s Young Farmers Connect provides similar opportunities.Jim and Lillian, Living Gems Toowoomba homeowners, met at one of the monthly meetings and soon Lillian was appointed secretary of their local chapter. One year later, Jim was elected president.“We got on well straight away, but I was only 16 at the time and my parents wouldn’t let me date until I was 17,” Lillian recalls.But the attraction was already there, and it blossomed...

What to do when looking for love in later life.It’s never too late to consider love and romance, according to Elisabeth Shaw, CEO of Relationships Australia.However, there are things that have changed since the first flush of youth that you may want to consider – especially if you’re looking for a new relationship after divorce or being widowed.“Starting a new relationship in your 50s is a different proposition than when you’re younger, especially if you’ve had long-term relationships in the past,” said Elisabeth.“In the end, you need to be able to answer the question, ‘am I ready for this?’.”Elisabeth recommends doing a life ‘stocktake’ before diving into the dating market. One part of this process is to do an honest evaluation of previous relationships – looking at what worked and what didn’t.“Are there any unresolved issues?” she asks. “Do you need to work on your self-esteem? Have you reached a point where you’re comparatively at peace with your past? Have...

There is an easy familiarity between Laura and David Tester from Amber at Living Gems that demonstrates the friendship their relationship is founded on.A second marriage for both, the couple married in 1984 and have enjoyed a life of adventure and exploration in the years since.“We were friends before we got together,” said Laura. “We were part of a badminton club in Victoria and we played regularly both at B-grade and A-grade levels.“Unfortunately for me, I was in a car accident overseas and injured my shoulder, so I went from playing three times a week to nothing. It was very frustrating sitting on the sidelines watching David play when I couldn’t.”“We had wanted to go to Egypt and China before COVID, but I think we’ll be staying local,” said Laura.Those local travels have taken them to Uluru as well as destinations closer to home, some of them via motorbike. David still gets out on the open road on his Kawasaki.“I...

Author reveals the passion between the pages.USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Ellen Carter uncovers the history of romance fiction and why she loves writing it.Romance fiction may be one of the most misunderstood genres in literary history. But to dismiss it as simply light-weight, disposable fiction is to ignore its long and fascinating history.In a literary context, romance comes from 'Romans' and is used in the same context as the 'romance' languages of Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian. It refers to the storytelling style made popular by the Romans that focuses on a main character who is on a quest for some noble good.Famous examples include Medieval chivalric romances such as the Arthurian legends and The Knight's Tale from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales which also included elements of courtly love.A more modern example of this type of romance can be found in any number of film westerns where our stoic cowboy is on a quest and there is either a romantic...

Romantic and affordable ideas for Valentine’s Day.Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and with a little bit of imagination and a heart full of love, you can surprise your sweet Valentine without breaking the bank.As Douglas Booth once said, “The most romantic things are very small, kind gestures from people you love.” So, on Tuesday, 14 February, make your beau swoon with these budget-friendly romantic gestures.Handwritten love letterThere’s nothing more romantic than receiving a handwritten love letter from your partner. Go old-school and pour your heart into words on paper. It’s a thoughtful way to express your feelings for your beloved and let them know how much you love and appreciate them.A relaxing massageSettle in for the night with your valentine and pamper them with a massage. You can set the spa vibe with a scented candle, massage oil and some calming background music.Breakfast in bedWho doesn’t love waking up to breakfast in bed? Dish up a little love...

Top ten romantic movies for Valentine’s DayRelive a romantic night where you held hands with your beloved and stole a kiss in the darkened cinema.With more than a century of great films to choose from, we’ve selected a top ten list of romantic films from each decade.So, if you’re looking for a nostalgic date night, why not grab a box of popcorn and bring a pack of Jaffas to your Living Gems cinema or check out the resort’s DVD library to organise your Valentine’s Day night at home.It Happened One Night (1934)Starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, this screwball comedy is about a down-at-heel reporter who gets the scoop of his career when he stumbles across an heiress on the run. Smartly written with delightful performances, it’s no surprise that it won every major Oscars category including Best Picture.The Shop Around the Corner (1940)Margaret Sullivan and Jimmy Stewart are just a delight as two sparring employees who don’t realise they...

Secrets to long, happy relationships revealed.Communication, forgiveness, laughter and sharing experiences are just some of the secrets to keeping the spark alive in a long and loving marriage, according to Ruby by Living Gems’ Neville and Shelagh Clune who have spent the better part of their lives together.Both agree that keeping a long-term relationship alive and thriving can be difficult but worth it.There has been much research into how to maintain a loving relationship over the long-term, with the need to keep nourishing the bond couples share identified as key.Ways to do this can include trying new things together, communicating regularly, making the effort to spend quality time together, and reliving some of the activities shared earlier in the partnership that contributed to a couple falling in love.Couples that play together stay together, according to Tony Brook University researcher Arthur Aron, Ph.D. His studies showed that participating in new and exciting activities as a couple increases relationship quality, makes it...