Life and times: Jessie celebrates 50 years with her very own superhero

A woman who had life-saving surgery just 18 months ago has celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary with her beloved "Flash Gordon".

Jessie Logan (ne Hughes), 68, of Musselburgh, was only a teenager when she caught a glimpse of her future husband Johnstone, 71, a young man whom she said had beautiful "thick, blonde, wavy hair", just like the adventure hero.

"I jokingly used to call him my very own Flash Gordon," she said.

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That was back in 1958 at the Wallyford Institute where the pair were attending a dance.

They were engaged the following year and married at St Michael's Church, in Inveresk, on 2 April, 1960.

Jessie, who also celebrated her birthday this week, was born and raised in Musselburgh and attended the town's grammar school.

Johnstone, who was born deaf, was educated in Edinburgh at the deaf school. On leaving school, he worked in Musselburgh's cotton, paper and wire mills before entering the building trade.

Jessie is a long-serving care worker with East Lothian Council, but 18 months ago she required life-saving care herself.

Owing to extreme bad health, she was given a multiple organ transplant by surgeons at the ERI – professionals she cannot thank enough for saving her life.

"That's what they did – save my life," she said. "My family was so worried. Johnstone was a rock of support."

The events of the last couple of years made their golden wedding celebrations even more emotional as they joined family and friends for a party.

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The couple were serenaded by two pipers and presented with gifts, before renewing their vows in front of guests, who included the best man, bridesmaid and flower girl from their wedding day.

Jessie said: "I believe the secret to a long and fulfilling marriage is to never go to bed on an argument.

"I think a lot of younger couples these days do not talk about things – you really have to work hard at a marriage."

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