Never Say Never: 5 Couples Who Found Love When They Least Expected It

Never Say Never: 6 Couples Who Found Love When They Least Expected It

Even with the advent of dating apps and social media sites, singleness is on the rise. According to the U.S. census, single people make up more than 45 percent of the American population, for a grand total of 110,600,000 unmarried people as of September, last year.

Seeing so many people who feel lost and lonely is a real downer. Not to worry! I’m here to bring you stories of people who encountered a love that they never anticipated, albeit later than they would have liked.

Some people don’t meet the love of their life until they are, let’s say, more mature. Others experience an early marriage that ends suddenly with death or divorce. These marriages are sometimes healthy and happy, but oftentimes are marked with physical or emotional violence. Either way, widows, widowers, and divorcees often find new love when they least expect it.

Perhaps the most exciting love stories are the ones that start with a chance meeting when the couple is very young. They go their separate ways to explore new opportunities, but somehow rediscover their love for each other and live happily ever after.

Take a minute to read these stories and find inspiration in people who discovered lasting love when they least expected it.

Oldest Couple to Marry

Oldest Couple to Marry

George and Doreen Kirby broke the world record for oldest couple to marry when they tied the knot in 2015, at the ages of 103 and 91. After meeting in 1988 through an organization to help the elderly find friends, they spent 27 years before they decided to get married. That’s right, they first found love in their 60s and 70s, and they didn’t walk down the aisle until George was in triple digits. It’s never too late to make a life with someone.

“It was about time, really. Doreen keeps me young and I can definitely say we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together.” –George Kirby

Love at First Sight—40 Years Later

Love at First Sight

Joao Crisostomo explored many avenues in his young life, including seminary. Along the way, he met Vilma Kracun via his then-fiancée. Vilma became a close family friend, and when she drifted out of Joao’s life unexpectedly, his wife helped him search for her. Joao tried to get in touch with his old friend for years, through a divorce and multiple jobs. Finally, he rediscovered the widowed Vilma via Facebook in 2011. On a whim, he traveled to France to reconnect and discovered that she was the same “pure…special lady” she was when they first met. He proposed on the spot. Talk about romantic! After a few moments of consideration, Vilma agreed. They were married in April, 2013, after more than 40 years apart.

“If we had not known each other before, one would call it love at first sight.” –Joao Crisostomo

Playground Sweethearts

Playground Sweethearts

After meeting through a dating site, Amy and Justin Pounders felt an instant connection. On one of their early dates, Justin chatted about his first crush, who shared Amy’s name. Later, the couple discovered they went to same pre-school and Justin’s mom found a picture of the two together. As it turns out, Amy and Justin found each other at a very young age and became preschool sweethearts. They finally married in mid their mid-30s and the rest is history.

“Our hearts found a connection at 3 years old very innocently, but it was enough to recognize it again 30 years later.” –Amy Pounders

Grinning So Much

Grinning So Much

Murphy and Lucinda Wilson’s engagement photos went viral last summer…and for good reason. The two senior citizens shine with joy in their images…looking more like they’re 17 than 70. Before their summer 2017 wedding, Murphy, a widower, felt he still had love left to give. He met Lucinda at church, and developed a friendship that grew into something special. The two feel that the Lord brought them together and blessed them with a love they never dreamed possible

“I’m thinking I’m going to be needing a facial massage because I’ve been grinning so much.” –Murphy Wilson

A Love Story Written in Code

Love Story Written in Code

In the 1950s, Cynthia and Howard Attebery became friends while working together in a lab. They would often write coded messages to each other, but they lost touch suddenly when Cynthia left for college. More than 60 years later, Cynthia received a coded letter and knew exactly who it was from. The letter came with a package of notes from their days in the lab. The new code said simply, “I have never stopped loving you.” Cue the waterworks!

Cynthia traveled across the country to meet her long lost friend and he proposed to her on the spot. They got married in 2013, to the delight of their family and friends. , CBC.ca

“Oh man, life is just amazing. Don’t give up hope. This is not what I expected at all. I’m 81 years old and he’s going to be 91… Really, how much time do we have? But you know, it really makes that amount of time precious.” –Cynthia Attebery