Imagine Kathy Tucker’s surprise when husband Malcolm arranged for the delivery of an imported Italian woman’s racing bicycle in celebration of the couple’s 30th wedding anniversary on Monday, May 28.

What made this anniversary gift even more special is the fact that Malcolm is still in South America where he is working as a civil engineer on a project in Brazil.

Kathy told the Zoutpansberger that her husband was recently back in town for a short vacation. She believes this was when he and Mohammed Rasool from Cycle Centre began plotting the whole anniversary gift idea.

Kathy jokingly says that she has been married to Malcolm for 30 years, but instead of a medal, she got a bicycle. The bicycle is the only one of its kind in South Africa, as far as is known. Kathy says that while Malcolm was here, they saw a similar bike in Gauteng, but that this one is a 1600 woman’s bicycle. Kathy says that in South Africa, bicycles meant for women are only available in the 1400 models.

Kathy smilingly tells of the morning she received her gift.

She heard someone at the door and was very surprised to find Mohammed standing there, with a bicycle wrapped with a big pink ribbon.

"I started crying with joy – even Mohammed was almost in tears," says Kathy.

When Malcolm called her later that day to wish her a happy anniversary, he told her that she should also be expecting flowers to be delivered to her.

Kathy said that, although Malcolm is on the other side of the world, the two of them talk frequently over the phone.

"I am a very lucky woman to have a husband like Malcolm. Though our 30 year marriage was not always without its problems, we still managed to work through all the problems together," says Kathy. She adds that a lot of marriages do not last long these days as it is just too easy to give up when a problem comes along.

Kathy was anxious to try out her new bicycle on the road, but was sad that she could not send Malcolm something on their anniversary in return as it will be too expensive and would take some time getting to him. Kathy thanked both Malcolm and Mohammed for the gift and for getting it to her on time.