Respect and love: Ingredients for a good marriage,
Ascott and Hope McCormack - Leighton Williams, January 16, 2004

WHEN ASCOTT AND Hope McCormack met in college, they saw each other as just mere friends. But destiny had other ideas, and on September 9, 1967, they became man and wife.

"When we met, we were both at school at the time. For four years we were around each other as just friends as we went out in a group. Then we talked for two years and then we became engaged before we got married," said Mrs. Hope McCormack.

The McCormacks, who reside in St. Andrew, have been married for 36 years. They say it is this friendship along with prayer, respect and understanding each other that has kept their marriage together over the years.

"Respect is essential. You say to yourself here is someone who has made the difference in your life and is very important to you. So it brings out the love in you and since truth is essential, you try to respect the person regardless of what happens," said Mr. McCormack.

The couple says their marriage has weathered every possible storm over the 36 years. There has been economic problems coupled with being separated by distance. However, they say it is the distance that has affected them the most.

"Ascott used to work in the country and I remember I would look forward to seeing him every Friday evening. Then, when he was in Ocho Rios he used to come home on a Wednesday and leave the following morning. I think him being away could have been a blessing in disguise as seeing each other was like a renewal and it made us even closer," said Mrs. McCormack.

She adds; "He could have found someone else down there and this would have ended our marriage but he, like myself, took our vows seriously, that's why we have been married for so long," she said.

Mrs McCormack, who was the more talkative of the two, described her husband as a strict but hilarious person. She adds that he was unable to keep any form of malice as he was always willing to end any disagreement between them.

"My mother called him a statesman because he was so strict. However, he could always let his hair down. If you see him in a group he would be there giving jokes and having fun as everyone else," she said.

On the other hand, Mr. McCormack described his wife as a bright and hardworking individual.

"She always has a smile on her face. She is a bright person not just in terms of academics but in everything that she does. She is very swift on her feet and in her thinking and any subject she touches takes on a new life.

The couple who drew closer to each other every time they spoke in the interview say they are actively involved in their church. They sing together at church and both say they are family people.

The couple has two daughters and three grand children and says maturity has also helped in keeping their family together.

"Marriage is for mature and responsible people. There is a saying that says love is blind but marriage is the eye opener. Many people get married in the spirit of lust and afterwards have problems. There are people who want their marriage to work but don't work to make it succeed. Marriage is about giving and sometimes you have to give less than you take," said Mrs. McCormack.