In 2020, Jake and Mary Jacobs marked their 70th anniversary. This amazing marital milestone is a story worth telling, but the challenges this couple faced make their accomplishment even more extraordinary.
In the 1940s, Jake was among the few Black men residing in Great Britain. Mary could have chosen an easier path by leaving Jake, but she understood that was not an option — they were profoundly in love.
Mary remained by his side even though her father warned her to leave Jake.
Jake and Mary first crossed paths when Jake arrived from Trinidad during World War II. After reaching Britain, he enrolled in a technical college as part of his airforce training. It was there that he met Mary, who was also studying typing and shorthand.
During this period, Mary lived in Lancashire and started having conversations with Jake, who captivated her with his extensive knowledge of Shakespeare.
One day, Jake and a friend invited Mary and her friend to join them for a picnic. Unfortunately, the outing was spoiled when a woman cycling by noticed two British girls chatting amicably with black men. She reported the “incident” to Mary’s father, who was taken aback and prohibited his daughter from seeing Jake again.
Upon Jake’s return to his homeland, the duo kept writing together. A few years down the line, Jake made his way back to England, where he received an attractive job offer.
Jake and Mary came together again, and she was taken aback when he popped the question. At just 19, she happily accepted his offer. Unfortunately, when she shared the news with her parents, they disowned her and kicked her out of their house.
Mary mentioned that although she was aware her father was “horrified” by the thought of his daughter marrying a Black man, she was too innocent to understand that many others at that time held similar opinions about their relationship.
Mary mentioned that the couple struggled to walk down the street together because people would rudely point at them.
She quickly found out she was pregnant, and the couple was thrilled at the idea of becoming parents.
Unfortunately, Mary delivered a stillborn baby at eight months. She expressed:
Before long, the couple found their lives becoming somewhat easier. Mary took on a teaching role, eventually advancing to the position of principal assistant, while Jake landed a respectable job at the Post Office. They even succeeded in making new friends, but Mary often felt compelled to clarify that she was married to a Black man before introducing her husband.
Today, May is celebrating her 84th birthday while Jake is 89. The couple enjoys a peaceful and joyful life in Solihull, situated south of Birmingham, where they recently marked 70 years of marriage.
Jake claims he has no regrets, yet he advises young black individuals today that they are unaware of the struggles faced by interracial couples and Black people overall during the 1940s.
Even though they encountered unjust difficulties, bias, and mistreatment, the couple’s affection remained strong as they stood by one another through tough times.
We celebrate Jake and Mary for reaching 70 wonderful years of marriage. This couple is a testament to the idea that love can conquer all obstacles.
You can also check out a video about this lovely love story below.
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