Arnold, 98, and Muriel, 93, met when Muriel was just 18.

Arnold was serving in the defence force and Muriel was working at her first school teaching job.

“It’s a long time,” Mrs Forrester said.

“We got together, we clicked, and that’s it.”

Mr and Mrs Forrester have spent the last 25 years in Townsville to be closer to family and warmer than in their native ­Victoria.

Over seven decades and four children later, the couple insist the secret to a long, healthy and happy marriage is as simple as a little give and take.

“When the heat’s on in the kitchen you get out, never have the last word,” Mr ­Forrester said.

“We love life, we wake up in the morning and look around, it’s all ours.”

The Good Shepherd Home residents visited the Palmetum Botanic Garden’s Bromeliad Heart yesterday, created by staff of Townsville’s Botanic Gardens, ­setting the perfect romantic Valentine’s Day backdrop for a summer stroll.

Townsville City Councillor Verena Coombe said the heart was the perfect drawcard for Townsville residents to ­explore and appreciate local parks and ­gardens.

“The way I see it, it’s a reminder to love your garden but certainly also an opportunity for lovers of all kinds to come into the parks and enjoy, and have a selfie,” she said.

The heart was first displayed in the park on February 1, and will remain for another fortnight to celebrate the month of love: plenty of time for a belated Valentines Day picnic and a perfectly Instagram-worthy photo.

“I think tonight’s a beautiful opportunity, particularly in the cool of the afternoon, to come out and maybe have a picnic in the garden and check it all out,” Cr Coombe said.

“We’ve got some beautiful gardens in the city and this is one of them.”

Originally published as Love in eternal bloom