I Married My Childhood Sweetheart - 30 Years Later
92
The Phone Call
I took a deep breath and dialed the number; my palms were sweaty and my heart was thumping.
What if ‘HE’ answers it? Will I be able to speak?
My mouth is dry.
What do I do if it’s a female voice?
A mans voice: “Hello?”
“Hello, is that Nick?”
“Yes”
“It’s a blast from the past! - It’s Lesley”
“Les? xxxxxx Hell! - How are you?”
If he had said “Les who?” then it would have been a different story!
School Days
Over 40 years ago, when we were both 16 years old and at school, Nick was my first official boyfriend (Mum said I couldn’t have a boyfriend until I was 16!).
I remember he was tall and skinny, I loved his sense of humour and I loved his smile.
It was pretty serious stuff for our age. He bought me a beautiful necklace for my 16th birthday, and wrote my name all over his school books and satchel.
But he was "stubborn" and I was "difficult". We broke up with each other several times, and then always got back together. That is until the last time, when we broke up, went our separate ways, and moved on with our lives.
30 Years Later
30 years later and I had been widowed 10 years, with two wonderful grown up children.
I chose not to date anybody; I spent 10 years rebuilding my life and my childrens' lives, building a new career and a new home.
I was happy with my life again, I felt in control and everything was ticking along nicely.
Nick and I hadn’t seen each other since the school days, but I’d never forgotten him. In fact, there were occasions when I’d wake up in the morning and think ‘I’ve dreamt about Nick again’.
An old mutual friend told me Nick had been widowed; I was so sorry and sad to hear this and decided I would contact him.
Finding his telephone number was easy. He still lived in the same town.
Now, here I was phone in hand talking to an old boyfriend of 30 years ago.
Suddenly, everything changed!
Nick had also heard that I had been widowed; we both expressed an understanding at our loss. He said that he too had thought to contact me, but I had moved away and he had no idea where I lived.
We went on to chat about all kinds of things, I remember laughing a lot, I don’t know what was said, it went by in a beautiful hazy blur!
The phone call was very strange; it was almost like an "out of body experience"!
I put the phone down and looked at the children, then aged 19 years and 25 years, and said “This is HUGE!”.
They looked at me in complete bewilderment “What is?”
“It’s Nick - so, it is just huge!!”
(They must have thought I’d gone mad!)
Their Mum was never going to be the same again!
After several phone calls Nick and I decided to meet for coffee.
We arranged to meet in a town which was halfway for both of us, at 11.00 outside a bank.
There was a lot of debate on how we would recognise each other, but finally decided we would both take mobile phones and would phone each other as we approached the meeting place!
The Meeting
I was early, too early.
So I tried to walk slowly but I still got there too soon.
It’s just round the next corner...
I dialled the number,
My heart was thumping, my knees like jelly….
“Are you in position?”
“Les, I’m here”
I looked up, there he was, I would know him anywhere, that ‘stance’ - leaning against the wall transported me back 30 years!
We embraced and kissed, it was the most natural thing in the world to do.
We walked by the river holding hands and talked.
We talked about old times and new times, we talked about everything.
I knew even then, that I still loved him.
We’d both married and known happiness and love, we’d both known great sadness, and endured the pain of loss and loneliness. Yet, we still hadn’t forgotten each other.
I still had the necklace he bought me for my 16th Birthday.
He still had his school satchel with my name etched on it.
What a surprise, when we looked inside there was my name on all his books, even inside his old school cap!
Always and Forever
We got married a few months later in the year 2000, and what an emotional day it was.
Our family and friends were so happy for us and that made the day even more special.
We knew we had special feelings for each other all those years ago, but the time then wasn’t right for us.
Now - it is our time.
For my darling Nick, I love you more than you will ever know.
Flying Without Wings
"Flying Without Wings" is our song; it was released just before we met. It was as if it had been written for us, as these words convey exactly how we both felt!
- Sweetness Without The Wrapper
When I hear the words of a true love story I couldn't be any happier for that couple at this very moment Love that exsists and that is bolder than any sign I have ever seen Peace that fills the heart with a waterfall of emotion that is...
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Congratulations, and may you love each other always.
Hi J S Matthew, it still seems surreal! yes I think we were always meant to be together! thank you for dropping by, take care.
Hi WillStarr, always good to see you, Thank you for reading our story. Till next time, take care.
This is such a beautiful love story! Im sooo happy for you :)
Hi Ashantina, yes it's wonderful!!! thank you
Wow! What a lovely story and beautiful start to the day. May the two of you live to love each other forever!
Hi Dexter, thank you for your kind words, we are so fortunate to have found each other again. Thank you and take care.
Hi movie master...what a nice love story.Thanks for sharing and looking forward to reading more of your hubs, they are so inspiring.
Hi Jo, even now I have to pinch myself sometimes to make sure I'm not dreaming!! thank you for your lovely comments, have a great day!
This is one of the best Hubs I have read so far! Thanks for sharing such an AWESOME Hub!
Your story plays like a beautiful movie with a very happy ending. I am so thrilled for you and Nick. May you both enjoy a long and joyous life together. :) vocalcoach
Love the mementos that you both kept, that is really special. Great story and I'm happy for you, from one widow to another, God bless
Hi neakin, what a compliment thank you so much, I have loved this opportunity to share our wonderful story.
Hi vocalcoach, thank you for your lovely comments and best wishes, we're so happy, we're enjoying life and it's great!
Hi Fossillady, I just could never bring myself to part with that necklace! we'd both kept love letters for a long time and I had kept a photo of Nick as well! thank you for reading and your words, take care.
Your love story is fantastic! I am so happy for your and your new husband. I am glad you told us this happy love story.
Hi Pamela99, I loved sharing our love story with you, we think it's special! and it's great to be so happy, it's the old cliche - I want to shout it from the rooftops!!!
I love a good love story. True love wins out in the end. Great inspiring story.
Sweet! It's amazing that those old school books are still in good condition. Must be very nice and sweet memories.... Best wishes!
Hi KKG, Yes, isn't it great! we are still a couple of love-birds! thanks for stopping, have a great day!
Hi myi4u, yes I couldn't believe it when Nick first showed me his satchel, I could remember him wearing his school cap and carrying that satchel when he use to meet me from school all those years ago! thanks for calling in and following, I am dropping in to see you now!
So wonderful to hear a real-life happy ending, where the people involved did not hurt anyone else to be together. May you have years of happiness!
Hi dearabbysmom, yes isn't it lovely to hear a happy story, I have so enjoyed sharing ours! thank you for your best wishes.
Wow, this is such a romantic story Movie Master. Thanks
for sharing it with us. :)
Regards,
A.CreativeThinker
Hi A Creative Thinker, My plesure, really enjoyed sharing our story, thanks for dropping by and hope to seeing you again.
What a beautiful story and I'm glad it ends well for you and Nick. Many happy years together!
Hi anginwu, thank you for reading our story and for your best wishes, have a lovely day, take care.
Movie Master,
This is a touchingly beautiful love story of two soulmates destined to be together. I am so happy for you, my friend.
Have a beautiful weekend, mar.
Hi mar, yes I think we were always meant to be together, and it's great!!! thank you for dropping by, I always love to see you, have a great weekend!
Hi Movie Master,
Your hub moved me to tears. What a beautiful love story.
You and Nick are a testament that true love does prevail.
Many more happy years to the both of you.
Hi Sueswan, thank you for your lovely comments, it's quite a story and we have loved sharing it! Have a lovely day!
Hi Movie Master, It's a Beautiful love story with a very happy ending. My heartiest Congratulation to you and Nick. May you have a very peaceful and exciting life together for years and years to come. May Heaven's choicest Blessings be showered on you and your family.
Best Wishes to you all,
Kamalesh
Hi Kamalesh, I have loved sharing our love story, even now it sometimes seems surreal:-) Thank you from both Nick and I for your warm, kind words and best wishes. See you soon.
Such a wonderful thing life can be, to reunite two soul mates when the time was right and when they truly understood the value of each other. This was wonderful. Thank you for sharing this. You are very lucky and may the two of you be happy together always.
Hi Qudsia, we consider ourselves to be so fortunate to have found each other again, I guess it's all about timing.
Thank you so much for visiting and your best wishes, I have enjoyed sharing our story with you.
Thank you for your follow and I look forward to sharing many hubs to come, take care.
This is so beautifully written, Duckie. A true fairy tale with a happily ever after. I love it. My eyes are "leaking" (that's what my brother used to say when he cried as a kid). Tears of happiness that after all those years you again found the love you once had together. Tears of sadness for the loss of your spouses. And a few tears for myself. I'm having a pity party. Beer in one hand, keyboard in the other. *I feel like "Debbie Downer" from Saturday Night Live right now.* hehe (:
Quite a journey you both had! Thank you, Duckie, for sharing this touching and very personal part of your life with the rest of us. (:
You are very blessed to have found true, everlasting love, even if it did take 30 years.
Much love and many hugs,
Diana
Hi Diana my duck, quite a story eh? sometimes I still can't believe it, those first few months we were so up in the clouds, we were out of control!
After much sadness and grief we have found happiness again!
Many thanks for dropping by, lots of hugs x
What a wonderful love story. It's wonderful that after all those years ... Wow! I just can't find the words ... almost makes me want to cry and I am definitely not a cryer. So, I just do a deeep contented sigh. New love is grand. And then new love of an old love -- must be even grander!
How beautiful! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story.
Awwwww...so beautiful, amazing, wonderful!! Thank you for sharing your lovely story :))
Hi homesteadbound, it's quite a story isn't it? Nick and I still get very emotional and tearful about it all!!
Thank you so much for dropping by, I have loved sharing the story with you.
Best wishes.
Hello SJmorningsun25, I have really enjoyed sharing our story, thank you for dropping by and your comments, I appreciate it, take care.
Hello Sunshine, I was amazed that Nick still had his satchel and he was amazed I still had the necklace...
Thank you for dropping by it's always lovely to see your smile and thanks for your comments, my best wishes to you.
There was a reason you both still had those items. I love it!!! Who is the adorable girl in your avatar photo?
It is nice to read about this true life romantic story bringing you happiness.
What a fantastic true love story. You both went through heartache and pain and found each other again. Sounds like you were both destined to be together. Best wishes for the future.
Hello Sunshine, yes I think perhaps it was all meant to be...
The little girl in the avatar photo is me! It's an old photo I restored, taken in my nanny's garden, I was about 6 years old!
Thank you again for dropping by, have a great weekend:-)
Hi 2uesday, I'm glad you've enjoyed reading our story, I've enjoyed sharing it!
Thank you for your comments, you're very kind, take care.
Hello jacqui, yes I am convinced we were supposed to be together!
Many thanks for dropping by and your best wishes, it's nice to see you, take care.
Movie Master, I love your story. There is a time for everything and your time is now. There is a saying that goes "love is sweeter the second time around". I believe that is how you both feel.
I must say- Greatest hub and the most beautiful and inspiring love story I ever heard. Really very hear-touching, I understand what is the importance of true love in life.You know the best thing in your story is LOVE NEVER ENDS, it remains in the corner of our heart and time to time it realizes us that still I (love)exists.
Other main thing is that true lovers cant be separated.. . as you people meet. I vote it up. It is awesome, beautiful and interesting.
Hello blessingsforlife, I agree the time has to be right, and it wasn't right for us all those years ago...
Thank you so much for reading our story and your lovely comments, take caare.
Hello anupma, thank you so much for reading our story and your kind words, it's very much appreciated, my best wishes to you from both Nick and myself.
What a heartfelt story, I love it! true love never dies. Thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed it! Nasser.
Hello Nasser, I guess true love lasts forever!
Thank you so much for reading our story, I'm glad you enjoyed it, best wishes.
I love your hub! It was beautifully written as well.
Hello Alecia, thank you for reading our story, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Many thanks for your comments, best wishes.
Beautiful....:-)
Hello Delmer, thank you for reading our story, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for your comments, best wishes.
Aww ... this is so aww ... kind of hub. I voted up and clicked everything! Yeah, useful because it is inspiring. I laughed when you narrated about the phone call and your kids looked at you kinda weird. I just could picture you and them :) I really love this hub. I am aiming for forever with my own Jack. Thanks!
Hello Monette, yes my children thought I'd gone nuts!
Thank you so much for dropping by and your great comments, I've enjoyed sharing our story and I'm glad you enjoyed reading.
My very best wishes to both you and Jack.
What a beautiful, real life love story. So glad that you reached out to Nick at a time that was ripe for rekindling your high school romance and how amazing that you both kept tokens from the past. Love the photos of the items that were kept, especially the old school satchel. Thanks so much for sharing this. Voted up, beautiful, awesome and interesting.
Hi Happyboomernurse, at last it seemed the time was right for us! Thank you for reading our story and your wonderful comments and vote, it means a great deal to me, best wishes.
What a beautiful story! I am so happy for both of you. Thank goodness you nervously dialed that number so many years ago. Look what happened! I always think positively and think things will work out for the best, but this is a great story! I love the photos and how you presented it.
Hi suzette, I don't know how I plucked up the courage to make that phone call! thank goodness I did:-)
I'm so glad you enjoyed our story, thank you for your very kind comments, take care and have a great day.
Wow! Wow!! Wow!!! Such a sweet true life story brought tears of joy to my eyes. You re sweet. I love everything from beginning to the end. Be blessed
Hi ubanichijioke, it's always good to see you and I hope all is well with you.
Thank you for reading our story and your fabulous comments.
Take care and my best wishes to you, MM.
Alright Movie Master. You just got'ta, I mean you got'ta post a Youtube vid we can listen to while reading this. I know there is a special song, come on now!
What a _______________ story. My emotions are all twisted in a knot both ecstatic for you and Nick and being transported in time. Give him a 'guy' nudge for me. Wow! You are a courageous women, temptress of fate, a regular dare devil. Good for you!
Hi tsmog, there is a special song, I don't know why I didn't include it before! I will add it thank you.
Nick appreciated the 'guy' nudge! and thank you from both of us for your fabulous comments.
Take care, MM
I'd like to link this Hub with my new poem Her First Sweetheart". It's about a man and woman getting together after 30 years! Their romance doesn't end in a beautiful way such as yours, though. Yours is such a sweet love story, I love it. Regards, Mary
Hello Mary, it's nice to meet you, thank you for the link, I have just visited your hub, the poem is beautiful.
Thank you for reading our story, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Best wishes MM
Hi, Your story is so similar to mine, but yours has a very happy ending, I'm happy for you! I look forward to following you.
Hello Mary, we are so lucky to have found each other again!
Many thanks for the follow, and I look forward to following you, see you again soon, best wishes MM
All the way across and up MM. This was such a great story. If I was able, I would make a movie about it all. It is that sweet and special MM. I couldn't be more happier for you and thanks for sharing such an inspirational story. I voted funny because it is funny how things work out. You can't deny the Lord's work. Sometimes, we just don't see it til later. This has truly brightened my day. This is special. I am so happy for you.
Hi TLW - and your visit and comments have made my day!
Somehow I always knew Nick and I would be together one day and it's wonderful!
Best wishes and thank you. MM
Hi MM, This is the kind of love story that lifts your heart:-)
Bell
Hello bell, thank you for following the link here and reading our story, your comments are much appreciated, best wishes MM
Hello Movie Master, I am so glad that your new poetry guided me here. What a precious story, told with charm and panache.
Hello Mike, thank you for following the link to our story and for your lovely comments, best wishes MM
how sweet. I almost cried.
Dear MM,
This is one that brought tears of joy. I am truly a hopeless romantic and this just touched my heart so..I am so happy you and Nick found love or I should say it found you both once more. So precious and proves love WILL have its way..
Love and best wishes always,
Sunnie
Hi kikalina, thank you for reading our story, best wishes MM
Hello Sunnie, I think perhaps we were always meant to be together, I guess 'now' is our time and we are both so happy!
Thank you so much for your comments and best wishes, take care MM
I am a hopeless romantic and adore hearing love stories like yours. How touching (and telling) that both of you had hung on to keepsakes from your earlier time together. My husband is also a blast from my past (we reconnected after about eighteen years) and, like you, I feel that now is the time we were meant to share.
Hello cybersister, how lovely to hear your love story too, that's wonderful, we are both so lucky!!
Thank you for your comments, have a great day, best wishes MM
Fantastic story with a real feel good factor.
Hi Ivona, thank you for stopping by and reading our story. Glad you enjoyed it!
Best wishes Lesley
Soooooo sweet! I love this story, in fact I am just so happy for you!I hope you and Nick grow to love each other more and more!
Hi Charlotte, thank you for reading our story and your lovely comment, I am so pleased you enjoyed it!
Take care and best wishes Lesley
Lesley: I LOVE your story - got goosebumps reading it. True love never dies and it's interesting how there is enough love to go around! Now I feel all emotional and compelled to write my love story - I will in time! BIG hugs to you and so happy for you both and for your children. Voted up and across the board. :)
Hello Sue, thank you for reading our story - I hope you write your own story one day, I will look forward to reading it.
Many thanks for the votes, have a wonderful weekend and see you soon, best wishes Lesley
J.S.Matthew Level 7 Commenter 12 months ago
What a beautifully inspiring Hub! I guess you are soul mates destined to be together! Thanks for sharing.
JSMatthew~