Why reunions are important to attend for mature singles
By Tom P Blake - Finding Love after 50
This article first appeared July 24, 2003. The message is as important in 2016 as it was back then.
It's the time of year for reunions – one of the prime places for older singles to find romance. Here’s proof:
After graduating from Lakewood High School in Long Beach in 1962, Cheryl got married. She attended her 10-year high school reunion but didn't attend another reunion until the 40th last September.
"I had been divorced for many years and went under duress with a fellow graduate and her husband," said Cheryl, who has three children and seven grandchildren. At the reunion, Cheryl saw a man named Guy walk in.
She approached him and said, "Do you remember me, my name is Cheryl?" She had never dated Guy, but recalled him as "being fun and nice." Cheryl invited Guy to sit at the vacant chair next to her at the table where she and her friends were seated.
Guy was a widower of three years. He has a son stationed in Iraq (2003), three grandchildren and has lived in Riverside County since 1985.
Guy described his response to Cheryl's question at the reunion: "I looked into her eyes and said, 'yes, I remember you.'" Guy also told me, "At that moment, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her."
Wow! If all single men were this decisive – and easy – middle-age and senior dating wouldn't be as difficult as they seem to be.
Guy said, "Before we departed that night, I asked her if I could spend some time with her on Sunday and she said yes. We went to Huntington Beach and spent nine hours walking and talking."
They had lunch at Chimayo restaurant. Three days after meeting at the reunion, while watching the sunset from Dana Point, California, Guy gave Cheryl his graduation diamond ring and asked her to marry him. What happened?
Guy says, "She said 'yes' and made me the happiest guy in the world."
Another Wow! No indecision on either person's part. One might have expected a red flag at sunset to be hoisted on such an important and quick decision. Instead, a green flash!
Weren't things happening too quickly?
On New Year's Eve at sunset (this is one romantic, sunset-loving couple), Cheryl and Guy were married on the island of Hilo in Hawaii. I was wondering – and you readers likely as well – how this fast-moving, fairy-tale love story is working out.
Cheryl says, "This is the most love I have ever felt and the most amazing marriage for us both. We cannot get enough of each other and NEVER run out of things to talk about."
Cheryl added that they talk about the present – their children and grandchildren – and about the 40-plus years ago when they first knew each other. Guy says, "We've had a great time since the reunion."
If you're thinking of skipping your reunion this year, you might want to reflect on Cheryl and Guy’s story and reconsider attending.
Weekly comments:
Christine, San Clemente: "Your column has long been needed, and your non-psychobabble, real-life attitude is greatly appreciated."
Response: Non-psychobabble? That's the best definition of this column I've heard in the nine years of writing it.