We all have rules for life that we live by. It’s how we get through the world – hopefully a little happier for those guidelines. Getting to live the ripe old age of 100, though, can seem a hard goal to reach. But for one woman living in England, that isn’t so hard if you live by just two very specific rules.

Her advice: No. 1, Don’t talk to strange men and No. 2, work with children, who keep you feeling young. Olive Westerman celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by friends at Deeswater Grange Care Home, where she lives. They had afternoon tea, and for her, that was a lovely way to mark the special occasion. She even got birthday wishes from royalty!

Olive Westerman celebrated her 100th birthday. Photo by Deeswater Grange Care Home

Westerman said she spent much of her life, alongside her late husband Sam, traveling. Sam worked as a writer and travel clerk, she said. The couple for a time, lived in Singapore.

I have spent some time living overseas and my favorite place to live was Singapore – I loved it there. It was such an interesting and exciting place to be, and so different from England.”

The couple decided against having children of their own, and instead focused on spending their time traveling the world. “Me and my husband met at the local church we used to attend every Sunday,” she said about how the pair met.

“We got chatting one day after mass and we hit it off immediately.” “What I loved about him most was his kind and gentle nature,” Westerman said. “And the fact he was always trying to help others.” Alongside her tip about avoiding “strange men”, she said that her work as a nurse in the nursery department helped keep her feeling young. 

Olive Westerman shows off the gifts she received for her 100th birthday. Photo by Deeswater Grange Care Home

“Over the years I have spent a lot of time working with children, and this will certainly help to keep you young at heart,” Westerman said. “I actually can’t believe I’m now 100, but it feels amazing,” she said.

I was absolutely thrilled to receive a card from King Charles and (Queen) Camilla.”

In addition to enjoying lunch with staff at the care home, and her friends, she was given a gift that started with her husband Sam, and to this day is still tradition for her – a bottle of Estee Lauder perfume. But it was her last piece of advice that mattered the most. “I think that the best advice I could give is simply to be happy and content to be alive, and to make the most of what you have.”

Sources: Daily Mail | LADBible