Miracle of Love: A 45-Year Journey After Separation
Real love remains real whether apart or together for 20 years. In my case, it's been 45 years!
Many of you who follow me know my story. I have written about it several times, but for those who haven’t heard, let me give you a brief synopsis.
Our Story: 48 Years Ago
It all began over 48 years ago when I met my 'high school sweetheart.' I fell in love at 16, a love that has truly endured the test of time. Can real love be found at such a young age? Yes, ask Romeo.
At 18, I joined the army, and we continued our relationship through constant correspondence and occasional visits. But the years apart were too long even for such young lovers, leading to a break-up that both of us later regretted.
The Years Apart
We both got married to different people after our break-up. Through the years, despite the separation, we kept in touch via social media, sharing updates and staying connected, albeit on a superficial level.
Some 40 years later, things took a turn when she divorced her second husband, and I, after 19 years, was diagnosed with COPD. Oftentimes, fate and circumstance kept us apart, but our deep, abiding love never waned.
A Glimmer of Hope
However, some 45 years after our separation, a glimmer of hope emerged. My friend, Gigi Wolf, set up a GoFundMe campaign for me to get a portable oxygen concentrator. One day, Lori, a Quora friend from my campaign, spotted it and reached out to me on Facebook.
A year after ending her relationship, Lori decided to take a chance. On March 5th, 2019, she knocked on the door of my life, and we were reunited. After 45 years apart, I could hardly believe my eyes. We hugged, cried, laughed, and talked until the wee hours of the morning. The love that had remained hidden all these years was finally revealed.
Rekindling Our Love
Our separation in the past was over a misunderstanding. She too had never really lost her love for me. Now, both of us are in our sixties, and we are sharing and cherishing a love that has endured for 45 years, a love deep and abiding, all-consuming, and miraculous.
Thanks to that intense love, my condition has improved. What time we have left is precious, and we understand the priceless nature of love. We now know through experience what real love is and what real love can do.
An Update to Share
The story doesn’t end there. After an incredible three months together, Lori had to move to a town a couple of hours away from where I live. She left the day before yesterday, and I miss her already. She’s moved in with her elderly mother, and her job has transferred her there. With no car or license, I must rely on her coming back on days off to see me.
Fate and circumstance seem once again to beplotting to keep us apart. But this time, I refuse to let it be the case. Our love refuses to let anything stand in our way. After three glorious months together, we cannot bear to be apart. She will look for a place of her own down there, and when she finds one, I will abandon my home and move in with her. My son can remain here, as I follow my heart. I will leave everything behind to be with her.
What is this 'everything' anyway? She is my everything, and her love lies at the bottom of everything I am. I will not let her go. I will not make that same mistake again.
Right now, it all seems like a dream come true. Thank you, Rose Dal-Molin and Jonas Karwoth, for translating my story into such beautiful languages, making it more romantic!