Lessons in Love: Do Opposites Attract?

Dawn & James
“How are we different? Oh, she's highly volatile, and I'm not!” says James, “So, in that respect, she's quite different from me. Dawn will fly off the handle and then 10 minutes later is wanting to make up and wondering what I'm upset about. Whereas I take a long, long time to get annoyed. And then when I do, I'm annoyed for a long time. And in that respect, we are quite different, but it's been good because that's helped me let go of things more easily and not hang on to a bad mood for a long time, because Dawn has already forgotten about it. Whatever it was. Goldfish!” he laughs. 

James adds that he and Dawn also have plenty in common, which helps their opposite sides gel: “We both look at the world the same way – with a healthy sense of the ridiculous.” It’s a love of laughter that brings them together, even when they do not see eye to eye. “I think we are very similar in most ways that are important because honestly we like to laugh,” says Dawn. “We tend not to dwell on the negative stuff for too long, we have to resolve it as quickly as possible. And I think we both like that.”

Maria & Anthony
Despite being married for more than 40 years, Anthony and Maria are the first to admit they are very different people. “I'm fairly quiet and Maria’s a bit wild you might say, compared to me,” says Anthony. And the couple are living proof that opposites can attract – here’s their insider tip on how to make it work: “Opposites can attract, but you still have to be easy going. If you're not, there could be too many dramas. So, I think you've got to be patient,” says Anthony.

Keiren & Alistair
When asked how they are different, Alistair looks at Keiren with a smile and says: “I’m pretty laid back and chilled on the surface.”

Keiren nods: “If we were dogs I’d be the snappy Jack Russell and Al would be the dependable Golden Retriever.”

Despite their differences, the couple say they approach every situation with generosity and an open heart. They admit to being homebodies with a mutual love of entertaining. “We love to entertain and have a laugh (and a wine) with friends,” says Alistair.