At 28, I’d be lying if I told you that cupid pierced my heart on many occasions.
Instead, I want to share the story of a family member who landed the woman he wanted, albeit nearly 30 years after they met. His name is Richard and her name is Sharon (they asked me to leave their last names out of this blog). I have clashed with Richard numerous times over the years, but I could never question how deeply he loved Sharon.
The two dated in high school, before she left her small Massachusetts suburb for the big city of Boston. He also moved a great deal. Once they reached their twenties, there was little to no communication. She married in her late 20s, adopted a child in her late 30s and divorced 11 years later. Richard knew nothing of marriage, child or divorce. It didn’t matter.
“I was in love with her and I just went looking for her,” he explained.
Unsure where she was living, he went straight to her brother’s house.
“I was completely shocked, because I hadn’t seen him in 12 years,” said Sharon.
“I always liked him, I never stopped liking him,” she continued.
It was love that drove Richard.
“I was willing to take it, whatever was—was,” said Richard.
What was so remarkable about this woman?
“I liked the way she acted, the way she looked, her intelligence, the whole nine yards,” he exclaimed.
Twenty years later, now in their sixties, the couple remains together.
There have been tumultuous times during that stretch; but to this day, Sharon is still taken aback by Richard’s pursuit.
“I am very impressed at his tenacity; I am a different sort of person. When I end relationship--I end them,” said Sharon.
When asked if all that time spent thinking about Sharon, not knowing, until they were back together—was rewarding, he simply said, “yes.” He is disabled and suffers from diabetes and a heart ailment. Through the tumult, the woman he waited for, and loved stuck by him.
“I couldn’t ask for a better woman,” said Richard. She loves him too.
While no one wants to wait three decades for “the” one, Richard did.
Evidence that during an age of instant gratification and on-demand everything, love while elusive, can still be a rewarding pursuit—no matter how long it takes.
Evan White, Reporter
