Cards and phone calls from family and friends marked the Dunedin couple's 60th wedding anniversary yesterday before a larger celebration on Saturday night.
"The years have just disappeared," Mrs Crombie (nee Nicholls) said.
They met in 1943 at an Otago Patriotic Review, Hello Victory. She danced and he operated the lights.
"I had a bird's eye view of about 250 girls, and I knew how to pick 'em," he said with a grin.
It took him two weeks to "pluck up the courage" to ask her out.
In the meantime, he did his best "to be there in time to organise the door for her". Their first date was to a Scottish Society ball.
The attraction for him was her friendly nature and it was not until years later she revealed she had also had her eye on him.
They married in Knox Church and he was "overwhelmed" as she had finally agreed to marry him.
However, she had known the importance of ensuring they had good jobs and were settled before tying the knot.
Mr Crombie found work at Roslyn Mills, where he stayed for over 40 years, and Mrs Crombie did an apprenticeship in dressmaking.
Three children and involvement in many community groups, in particular Scouts, left them so busy they had to book time to see each other.
In 1999, they were both awarded Queen's Service Awards for services to the community, which was a humbling experience.
"And we are still keeping busy," she said.
Keeping track of their six grandchildren via the internet had become a new pastime and computers allowed them to produce books about their experiences.
Email had been conquered, with the next goal "to get on to that Facebook business", Mr Crombie said.
Mutual respect, consideration, a caring attitude and sense of humour were their secrets to a successful marriage.
"We have had a wonderful time. I don't regret any moment," he said.
