Dare to Love Octogenarians
Encountered a lovely couple during my less-than-lovely graveyard shift. Both are in their mid-80s.
Both were widowed in their late 60s after 40+ years of marriage.
He decided to "try something new," and signed up for ballroom dance classes. She research dating tips on the Internet b/c "it had been so long."
A mutual friend set them up, and they went ballroom dancing on their first date. He was busy trying to remember the steps and not step on her feet. She was busy trying to make eye contact b/c that showed interest (thank you, Internet). They shared stories over coffee afterwards.
Both married each other in their early 70s. They have been happily married for twelve years now. "We're just so happy we found each other." (As he unearthed their wedding photo from his wallet.)
What a tribute to the strength of the human spirit, a force that triumphs after such devastating loss! The human heart is unbelievably capable of limitless resilience. Maybe that's all "second chances" are, optimistic subordination to the power of human connection?
"What I would really like said about me is that I dared to love. By love I mean that condition in the human spirit so profound it encourages us to develop courage and build bridges, and then to trust those bridges and cross the bridges in attempts to reach other human beings." -Maya Angelou
Both were widowed in their late 60s after 40+ years of marriage.
He decided to "try something new," and signed up for ballroom dance classes. She research dating tips on the Internet b/c "it had been so long."
A mutual friend set them up, and they went ballroom dancing on their first date. He was busy trying to remember the steps and not step on her feet. She was busy trying to make eye contact b/c that showed interest (thank you, Internet). They shared stories over coffee afterwards.
Both married each other in their early 70s. They have been happily married for twelve years now. "We're just so happy we found each other." (As he unearthed their wedding photo from his wallet.)
What a tribute to the strength of the human spirit, a force that triumphs after such devastating loss! The human heart is unbelievably capable of limitless resilience. Maybe that's all "second chances" are, optimistic subordination to the power of human connection?
"What I would really like said about me is that I dared to love. By love I mean that condition in the human spirit so profound it encourages us to develop courage and build bridges, and then to trust those bridges and cross the bridges in attempts to reach other human beings." -Maya Angelou
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