A Strandfontein couple got a huge surprise when a long-lost, much-loved treasure — their wedding album — reappeared in the unlikeliest of places — the local library, where it was found by staff during a spring cleaning.
Head librarian Hawa Williams said staff had stumbled on the album, stored áway among donated books.
It wasn’t the first time it was discovered during a sprucing-up, only this time staff were determined to find its owners.
So they played detective…
“We took a closer look at the pictures and even showed it to some of our patrons,” said Williams. Their persistence paid off when they spotted crucial clues in the photographs – a section of a local church and the couple’s names, Nico and Tania.
Library staff member, Juliana Sylvester, took charge of the investigation, contacting the church secretary who began asking around the congregation. The trail led them to Nico, who was in another province when he received the exciting news about his long-lost wedding album.
‘A small miracle’
Originally planning to surprise wife Tania on his return, Nico Manuel couldn’t contain his excitement and called her immediately. She wasted no time rushing to the library to retrieve their precious memories.
“Tania was delighted to be reunited with the couple’s wedding photos,” Williams said. “As she flipped through the pages she shared happy memories of the big day, a bittersweet moment as she pointed family and friends out who had since passed away.”
“Even though quite a few pages aren’t in the album we are happy!” the bride of more than two decades ago declared. “I call it a small miracle.”
She realised then she and her husband had accidentally donated the album along with other books at the time, after many years of wondering which mire their precious wedding memories had got lost in.
Manuel left a very grateful note in the library’s comments book: “Thank you to the beautiful people at Strandfontein Library for holding onto our precious memories. Much appreciated. Love, Nico and Tania.”
The staff at Strandfontein Library were thrilled to be part of this happy reunion and wished the couple many more happy years together, now with their wedding memories safely back where they belong.
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