Their wedding was booked for today at noon - but Ulster couple Michael Spathaky and Marian Chambers tied the knot at three o’clock this morning.

It’s the time difference. Their wedding was in Sydney, Australia - nine hours ahead of Northern Ireland.

But what difference does a few hours make when you first met 51 years ago and finally got it together more than half a century later?

Michael and Marian were wed on board a romantic cruiser as it sailed down the River Napier in Australia’s biggest city.

It all began at the desks of Portadown College back in 1956, when Michael met Marian and they became teenage sweethearts - both were in the ‘A’ Stream at the school.

But the first buds of love faded when Michael’s family - his dad, Ron, taught French - decided to return to dad’s roots in England.

The young lovebirds kept in touch for a while by letter, but soon then went their separate ways - he to Norwich University, where he graduated in physics and became a teacher, and she into the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

Marian married Portadown man Sam Chambers and Michael wed Diana Jones in Leicestershire.

Later, the Chambers emigrated to Oz and the Spathakys settled into wedded bliss in England.

However, both their partners died of brain tumours - Sam in 1998 and Diana a few years later.

In between, Marian contacted her old friend via the Friends Reunited website and they became firm friends - they had chalked up five children and nine grandchildren between them.

When Diana died, their old love was rekindled and Michael travelled to Australia to see his old flame. The rest, as they say, is history.

In October, the newlyweds will come to England for a blessing and to Portadown for a party with old friends from Portadown College.

Michael’s parents - Ron and Kath - are still alive and well, but are unable to travel out for the wedding. They will be special guests at the reception in October.

Source: belfast telegraph