AN IRISH woman has given new meaning to the idea of having a long engagement.
Betty has been waiting 35 years to tie the knot after getting engaged at the age of 17.
The Cork-based woman will finally get her dream wedding when she walks down the aisle next February.
Betty, 52, who will marry her fiancé, 58, next year said: "It was always the plan [to get married], we’ll do it this time, we’ll do it that time, but something always came up…so I think this is now our time.
"The food is booked, the music is booked, we’re going to have a lovely day."
Heading to online site DoneDeal he came across the wedding dress for sale sections and found an advert, which has since been taken down, that read: 'Stunning wedding dress for sale, size 12-14, never worn.'
Intrigued he phoned the owner and met Betty who said she was hoping to sell the dress for around €250.
"It's custom made, halterneck, embellished with beautiful beading, the back can be adjusted," she said.
"I had it custom-made to flatter my figure but when I tired it on, I’m 52, I was too old for it."
The white embellished custom-made dressShe added: "This is a wedding dress, an image I had in my head since I was 30, but I think I’m stuck in a time warp.
"Up here I’m 30 but the body is 52.
"I looked in the mirror and thought it wasn't me, but it will be gorgeous for someone else.
"If it doesn’t sell I’ll let it go for charity."
Betty has since bought another outfit - one that she says she's more comfortable in.
Until her appearance on the Today with Sean O'Rourke radio show Betty says her fiancé, who wasn't named in the report, didn't know she had two dresses bought for their wedding.
Asked if their pair might hold the record for the longest engagement in Ireland she said: "Longest I’d say. I was 17 when I got engaged.
"He asked my father if we could get married and my father chased him and said 'get out of it you’re too old and she’s too young'.
"So we moved out and got our own place and the story began from there.
"He’s my best friend and I’m quite sure I would be his best friend. I understand him, he understands me."
Betty and her partner are parents to two boys - William 32 and Scott, 22.
"And we have a lovely daughter-in-law Audrey, and three grandchildren Jamie, Aaron and Faye," Betty added.
Looks like this is one bride-to-be who's going to get her happily ever after.
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