It began in a small Greek city by the sea, in the years after war – a chance meeting between two young souls who had already known hardship but still believed in love.

Seventy years later, Chris and Nikolitsa Bakopoulos, both 88, sit side by side at Scalabrini Bexley, quietly celebrating a lifetime that has carried them from Patras to Sydney, from post-war Greece to the heart of Australia’s Greek community.

There are no grand gestures or rehearsed speeches – just the soft murmur of shared memories, the laughter of their daughters, and the gentle pride of a couple whose bond has never wavered.

From war-torn Greece to a new beginning

Chris was born in Kardamas, Elis, in 1937 – between Amaliada and Pyrgos – in a Greece scarred by war. His childhood was marked by displacement and resilience.

“We lived through the end of the Second World War,” he tells The Greek Herald. “Then came the civil wars in Greece. They were very difficult years.”

At the age of ten, he was taken by his aunt to Patras, where he learned the barber’s trade – a craft that would shape the rest of his life. It was there, amid the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in 1954, that he met Nikolitsa, a sweet-natured young woman from nearby Kallithea Patron.

“What began as a friendship turned into something more,” Chris smiles. “In July 1954 we got engaged, and on October 30 we married. We were just 18 years old.”

Their happiness was brief – just nine days after their wedding, Chris left for Australia to avoid military conscription.

“We married on October 30, and on November 8 I left for Australia,” he says quietly. “It was very hard to leave her.”

Separated by an ocean, reunited in Sydney

Chris arrived in Sydney on 11 December 1955, travelling by ship to Wollongong, where he shared small rooms with other Greek migrants. By day, he worked cutting hair; by night, he attended English classes.

“My first need was to learn the language,” he says. “With work, effort and the help of God, we did well.”

Separated for over 14 months, the couple stayed connected through weekly handwritten letters. Chris also took up work at the Port Kembla steelworks, saving every penny he could.

Then, on 21 February 1957, his young bride finally arrived – alone, travelling on a propeller plane. After falling ill in Singapore and spending a week recovering, she was joyfully reunited with Chris.

“From then on,” he says softly, “we have been together.”

A home built on love, sacrifice and faith

The early years in Australia were difficult but filled with determination.

“It wasn’t easy, not only for me but for all the immigrants of that time,” Chris reflects. “But we had love, and we made it through.”

They began life in Wollongong before moving to Redfern, where Chris opened his first barbershop, followed by a second in Five Dock in 1962. His warm manner and skill quickly made him a local favourite.

In 1972, Chris and Nicky took on a new venture, opening a milk bar and takeaway in Drummoyne, where their dedication and hospitality continued to define them.

Five years later, they settled permanently in Bexley, where they lived for 48 years — a home that became both a family hub and symbol of all they had built together.

Chris continued working in barbering and later real estate, while Nikolitsa found fulfilment in hospital services. Their lives were guided by faith, hard work and love for family.

Nikolitsa’s quiet strength

When asked about her life in Australia, Nicky answers simply and sincerely: “Very nice, very nice. I love this country. I love all my people. I love my husband and my family.”

Chris’s admiration for her is unshakable.

“Unfortunately, Nikolitsa was illiterate. She didn’t go to school because of the wars,” he says tenderly. “But she was a good wife, a good mother, a good housewife — loved by all and always willing to help. You cannot help or respect anyone if you don’t have love.”

Though her health challenges meant she could not work for long, her warmth and care became the heart of the Bakopoulos family.

Family: The heart of everything

Together, they raised three daughters — Maria, Shirley (Fotoula) and Stella — each carrying forward their parents’ values of love, faith and endurance.

Their eldest, Maria, describes her parents with affection.

“Mum’s koulouria and galatopita were something else,” she laughs. “And Dad was a popular, respected barber. He was like a psychologist, politician and priest, all in one. He sang in church choirs since he was a boy.”

Their two grandsons, Nicholas and Raymond, continue to honour their grandparents’ story with pride and love.

“It’s so rare to see two people together after 70 years,” Maria says. “They had many difficulties, especially Mum with her health, but they made it through everything — always together.”

The secret to 70 years

When asked about the secret to a seventy-year marriage, Chris doesn’t hesitate to answer.

“Love, care and respect,” he says simply. “That is the most important thing. You can do nothing if you have no love, care and respect for your partner and family. It’s very simple.”

Their later years at Scalabrini

Now residents of Toscana at Scalabrini Bexley, Chris and Nicky are relishing the peaceful lifestyle and community spirit of aged care.

“They’re one in a million,” says a staff member who has cared for the couple for years.

The staff organised a special afternoon tea on Thursday, October 30, to mark their platinum wedding anniversary – complete with music, flowers and family by their side.

“Scalabrini has become a wonderful new home for Mum and Dad,” Maria shares. “Dad wakes up every morning and he goes to my mum’s adjoining bedroom to say good morning and see if she’s okay.

“Scalabrini have always been devoted to each other and to our family. It’s comforting to know they’re in a place that values their dignity, heritage and wellbeing.”

Chris and Nicky were overjoyed by the celebration. “We thank the Scalabrini team very much,” Chris says. “They gave us this great opportunity to remember again the beautiful memories of our life.”

A love that endures

As the afternoon light fades across Bexley, Chris and Nicky sit side by side, grateful for the years behind them and the peace they share now.

“We remember the difficult moments,” Chris reflects, “but above all, we thank God that we can still sit together and celebrate.”

Theirs is a love that has outlasted war, distance and time itself — a partnership built on kindness, faith and endurance.