Georgina Cowe used to make herself scarce when she spotted Robert McDonald coming into the dance hall.
But, 70 years on, the pair are happily married and enjoying life with their 13 grandchildren.
The two, both of whom are 90, originally met while Mr McDonald – Bob – was a cadet in the army, before he left his hometown of Fraserburgh to join up with pals in the paratroopers.
And his wife, Gina, still recalls the fact he was not in the Gene Kelly class of dancers when he was a youngster.
However, he has since mastered the skill and, shortly after the war, was able to convince the then Miss Cowe to get hitched.
On Saturday, they celebrated their 70th anniversary, surrounded by family and enjoyed reminiscing on how the years had flown by.
Last night, she explained they had been blessed with a relatively smooth union.
She said: “During the war, there was a dance hall in Fraserburgh, and that is where we met.
“But he couldn’t dance – so I used to hide from him. But he did learn to dance, and here we are 70 years later.
“We have had a very happy life together. Yes, we’ve had our ups and downs, but we have been really lucky both with health and happiness.
“Sometimes we both want to be the boss, but I think I’ve won.”
Just a few days after their marriage, Mr McDonald, who was attached to the 6th Airborne Division which saw action across the theatre from D-Day to 1947, had to leave his bride.
He had been recalled by the army to fly out to Egypt.
But he eventually finished his service with the forces and took on a sawmill business in Fraserburgh.
Today, the duo live in Rathen and have a large family of children and grandchildren to dote on.
Mrs McDonald added: “We had five children – two boys and three girls. And we have wonderful grandchildren – 13 of them.”
Asked what the secret of their success was as a couple, Mrs McDonald suggested that there had to be a “balance” in every relationship.
She explained: “I got invited to the Queen’s birthday celebrations last year, because I was born on the same day.
“I was even married in the same year.
“While I was there, a lady come up and asked me the same question – ‘what’s the secret to a happy marriage?’
“I can only say that you have to be able to give and take.”
As part of the couple’s platinum wedding celebrations, Aberdeenshire Council presented Mr and Mrs McDonald with flowers and a bottle of 12-year-old malt whisky.
They also received a card from the Queen to mark the occasion.