Jake and Mary Jacobs marked their 70th anniversary of a happy marriage last year, but their journey wasn’t simple.
Mary, who is White, and Jake, who is Black, lived in the same city in 1940s Britain. At that time, there weren’t many Black men there.
Even though Mary’s father told her to leave, Mary chose love over easy choices.
“When I told my father I was going to marry Jake, he said, ‘If you marry that man, you will never set foot in this house again.’”
Mary and Jake first met at a technical college where Mary was learning typing and shorthand, and Jake was undergoing Air Force training. They met during the war when Jake moved from Trinidad to Britain.
Jake impressed Mary with his understanding of Shakespeare, and they got to know each other. One day, they invited Mary and her friend to join them for a picnic. Unfortunately, someone passing by saw them and reported Mary to her father. The woman was shocked to see two English girls talking with black guys. After this incident, Mary wasn’t allowed to visit her father again.
After Jake returned to Trinidad, they kept in touch through letters. A few years later, he came back to the U.K. to find a better-paying job.
Jake surprised Mary by proposing, and she, at 19, said yes. However, when she told her family, they kicked her out.
“I left with only one small suitcase. No family came to our registry office wedding in 1948.”
Mary’s father was upset about her marrying a black man, and Mary didn’t realize that society felt the same way.
The early years of their marriage in Birmingham were tough. Mary cried every day, hardly ate, and they faced many challenges. Nobody would talk to them, they couldn’t find a place to live because nobody would rent to a black man, and they had little money.
Even walking down the street together was hard because people would point at them, Mary explained.
Mary and Jake were excited to become parents, but at eight months, Mary gave birth to a stillborn child. She mentioned it wasn’t due to the stress she was under, but it deeply saddened them, and they didn’t have any more children.
As time passed, their lives improved. Mary became a teacher and eventually an assistant principal, while Jake found a job with the Post Office. They made new friends, but Mary felt the need to explain to people that her husband was black before introducing them.
“My father passed away when I was 30, and even though we reconciled by then, he never approved of Jake,” she shared.
Currently, Jake, 89, and Mary, 84, live in Solihull, a town south of Birmingham. They recently celebrated 70 years of marriage.
Jake said he has no regrets, but he also mentioned that today’s black youth may not fully understand the challenges he faced in 1940s Britain.
“When I arrived in the U.K., I faced abuse every day. Once, on a bus, a man rubbed his hands on my neck and said, ‘I wanted to see if the dirt would come off.’ Back then, working in an office as a black man with white girls wasn’t considered safe,” Jake explained.
Despite all the challenges, bias, and abuse, the pair is still deeply in love and has no regrets about being married. They have been happily married for more than 70 years.
These two are a true inspiration, and I wish them a lifetime of pleasure because of the love they have for one another.
YOU WON’T BELIEVE HOW STUNNING THESE 11 WOMEN LOOKED AT THE 2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
The 2024 Paris Olympics brought together the best athletes from around the world for an exciting event. Among the many incredible performances, 11 women stood out not just for their skills but also for their beauty.
The Olympics began in July in Paris, France, where athletes from all over the world competed. The games were filled with impressive achievements and thrilling moments.
However, 11 women stood out for both their athletic talent and their undeniable beauty. From Ukrainian stars to American champions, these stunning athletes captured hearts at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
11 – Iryna Gerashchenko
Iryna Gerashchenko from Ukraine made a big impression at the 2024 Paris Olympics as a top high jumper. Not only did she showcase her amazing athletic skills, but her striking beauty also caught everyone’s eye. Iryna has become a standout figure both on and off the track.
On May 19, 2022, Iryna Gerashchenko posted a beautiful photo on Instagram. She wore a red and white blouse with a Ukrainian flag fin. Her dark, straight hair framed her face gracefully, accentuating her high cheekbones and expressive eyes. With minimal makeup, her flawless skin and natural beauty really shone through.
On March 7, 2024, Iryna Gerashchenko showed off a different side of her beauty. She wore a stunning red strapless gown with feathered details, radiating confidence and sophistication.
The bold red color beautifully contrasted with her fair skin, and the strapless design highlighted her toned shoulders and collarbones. Her makeup was more pronounced in this photo, enhancing her striking features.
10 – Gabby Thomas
Gabrielle Thomas, better known as Gabby Thomas, is a top sprinter from the United States who made a big impact at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Known for her impressive speed on the track, Gabby also caught attention for her striking beauty and magnetic presence.
On November 6, 2023, Gabby Thomas shared a powerful and graceful photo on Instagram to announce her partnership with New Balance. Her captivating eyes and light brown wavy hair framed her face beautifully, highlighting her radiant complexion.
In the sleek black athletic outfit, her toned physique was on full display. The crop top accentuated her well-defined abs, and the fitted shorts showcased her strong legs, perfectly blending beauty and athleticism.
9 – Apsara Sakbun
Apsara Sakbun, representing Cambodia, made her Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games as a swimmer. She quickly became a fan favorite with her impressive performances in the pool and her stunning beauty.
8 – Luana Alonso
Luana Alonso, a rising swimmer from Paraguay, made her Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games. Competing in several swimming events, she drew attention for her impressive skills in the water and her striking beauty.
7 – Yaroslava Maguchih
Yaroslava Maguchih, from Ukraine, competed as a high jumper at the Paris 2024 Games. Renowned for her remarkable talent in the sport, Maguchih also drew global attention with her stunning beauty and graceful presence.
6 – Dina Asher-Smith
Dina Asher-Smith, from the United Kingdom, made a notable debut as a sprinter at the Paris 2024 Games. Renowned for her impressive speed and agility on the track, Asher-Smith also captivated fans with her striking beauty.
5 – Yulia Levchenko
Yulia Levchenko, representing Ukraine, competed as a high jumper at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Celebrated for her remarkable athletic talent, Levchenko also won admiration for her stunning looks and charismatic presence.
4 – Simone Biles
Simone Biles, the iconic gymnast from the United States, is widely considered one of the greatest gymnasts ever. At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, she dazzled not only with her outstanding athletic achievements but also with her stunning beauty and magnetic presence.
3 – Daria Bilodid
Daria Bilodid, from Ukraine, competed as a judoka at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Renowned for her exceptional skills in judo, Bilodid became a standout athlete. Her stunning beauty also captivated many spectators and added to her popularity.
2 – Suni Lee
Suni Lee, representing the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is a celebrated gymnast. As she showcased her exceptional skills on the gymnastics floor, Lee also drew global attention for her stunning beauty and vibrant personality.
1 – Alica Schmidt
Alica Schmidt, a standout track and field athlete from Germany, made waves at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Renowned for her impressive speed and dedication on the track, Schmidt also captured widespread attention with her striking beauty.
The 2024 Paris Olympics was a showcase of extraordinary talent and memorable moments. Among the athletes, 11 remarkable women stood out not only for their incredible skills but also for their striking beauty. These athletes demonstrated that strength and elegance can go hand in hand, captivating audiences around the world.
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