A journey together: Wedded bliss at Siena

Years ago in front of a magistrate in London, Ismail and Geri Haffejee proclaimed their love for each other among family and embarked on the journey of marriage. Forty years later and an ocean away, the Siena residents recently renewed their vows at the age-qualified community's social center in Summerlin.

With their two children and family from as far away as Sweden and England looking on, the happy couple were the first to renew their wedding vows at the social center and toasted champagne to many more years of happiness.

"I always thought that if we were still together healthwise and otherwise that we should renew our vows to celebrate our anniversary. When I mentioned the idea to my husband, he had no objections. We didn't want a big bash. We wanted our family there. We had it in the social center when it was open and a lot of people who walked into the center also watched," Geri Haffejee said.

"(Siena's activities director) Kristyne Blake helped me plan the ceremony because we had no idea of how to set it up. Among the things she suggested was a balloon archway and that worked well. We also had the (Siena) catering department help us and they made a two-tier cake and provided the champagne ... It was a very special day for me, just like it was 40 years ago."

They first met through a friend in England.

"In 1953, I left South Africa and went to England to finish my education and that is where we met," said Ismail Haffejee, a retired custom-cabinet maker originally from Johannesburg, South Africa. "Geri went to a party with a friend of mine and I was there. My friend came up to me and asked if I would take Geri home and I did."

His wife offered a little more insight of their meeting.

"I was the girl that you would take home to your mother for tea, but not the one to go to a party with," Geri Haffejee said, laughing.

"I think things worked out with us because he was mature and a gentleman ... I was 21 and my husband was 34 ... We're from different cultures, different religions and different customs that we grew up with, and we brought all of these things into our marriage."

As they say, the rest is history.

"My husband owned a custom-cabinet shop in London and we moved to the United States for our daughter and son. During our (renewal of vows) ceremony they said that one of the best things that we did for them was moving to the United States because there are so many opportunities for them here," Geri Haffejee said. "We love America. It is a wonderful place to live. I go back to England sometimes for a fix, but I love our life here."

After settling in Southern California, Ismail operated a custom cabinetry company and Geri specialized in nails in a beauty business until retiring a few years ago.

A zeal for travel led them to Las Vegas about six years ago.

"When we were in California, my wife finally made me retire and we decided to go and see the United States. We sold our house and all of our cars, and bought an RV and traveled. Nine months later it was time for us to go back. At that time, the prices of homes in California had skyrocketed and we looked at living somewhere else and decided to move to Las Vegas ... And 18 months ago we moved to Siena," Ismail Haffejee said.

The couple purchased the Como 6160 floor plan at the community, a three-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath home that measures about 2,000 square feet. Handcrafted cabinetry adorns several of its rooms.

When they are not working at part-time jobs, Ismail may be spotted on the community's golf course and Geri in the fitness center. The guard-gated community also offers residents event planning and catering services, which the Haffejees utilized when they renewed their vows.

What advice do the Haffejees offer to couples aiming to reach that 40th anniversary milestone?

"Honoring your partner and having your partner as your best friend. Having respect for each other is also very important," Ismail Haffejee said.

Working together is also important.

"Marriage is not always bliss and you learn to get along with your partner. Trust is important. When we were married, we had all of these plans and ideas of what we would do in our life together. Over the years, we have done all of those things. Now we have our best part of our lives left to spend together," she said.

"... We've been very lucky, as well. We have not had any tragedy or bad health, and we didn't have any war. All of these things make a difference."

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