Love is the key to happiness, but the first step to pure contentment is acceptance.

It is also said that a happy wife will result in a happy life. 

Maarten Von Oosten is a living testimony of this saying. 

It has been 50 years and he is still married to the Dutch girl that he never dreamt of settling with. 

“We were both born in the Netherlands,” Maarten said when he sat down with Dear Tourist yesterday.

“We were only children when we moved to Canada with our families. I told myself that I would never marry a Dutch girl but what do you know, it was a Dutch girl that won my heart.”

Yesterday, Maarten and his Dutch wife were in Samoa to celebrate their love. 

Being in the island of Samoa has been a blessing for them because they got to explore a different part of the world. 

“There is a different atmosphere that we get to experience here in Samoa. There is so much positive and good energy that is found among the people. To love and to be loved,” he said.

The diverse scenery and the people are what they were looking for to celebrate their 50th year anniversary.

“We are on this cruise ship to celebrate love and the many years that we have been together. 

“To be in Samoa is the perfect place because we see love everywhere among the people. They smile for no reason, very generous and always helpful.”

 Maarten also shared the secret of their happy marriage.

“We enjoy so many things together. Like nature and also the Samoan country we are very interested in it. It is having similar interests and also a similar way of thinking that is very important.”

The 75-year-old said they lived in the same house for 49 years and they never wanted to relocate because they had a beautiful orchid greenhouse in their backyard.

Even if it was just for a day in our beautiful paradise, the couple both agreed that they would not change a thing about Samoa.

The father of two believes that the only thing that matters is happiness. 

“If you are happy that is good it means you have everything you need.”