MY TRUE love STORY
We’re paying tribute to our readers’ real-life relationships this Valentine’s. It’s the second-time around for widowed 88-year-olds Frank and Mary Smith, who were just good friends for many years. Frank tells their romantic story…
I lived with my wife Maureen in Upper Halling in Kent from 1959, and our friends, Ernie and Mary Scudder, lived opposite us from 1962.
Ernie and I had worked for the same company, and our wives used to get together for card night once a week.
Sadly Ernie passed away from cancer in 1995, and then the following year, my wife Maureen also died from cancer.
It was a really sad and difficult time for Mary and I, but I would do odd jobs and check her car for her. I was a useless cook, so I relished the meals that Mary would trot across the road for me.
Sometimes, Mary would invite me over for a glass of wine, but come 10.30pm, it was: “Lock the door behind you!”
Then one day she asked me if I would like to go on holiday to the Isle of Wight with a group of friends. I was glad to get out and meet people and we had a great time.
We started getting closer and I said I was tired of going to and fro across the road, and would she consider marrying me? After some considerable thought and time, much to my relief, Mary said yes, and we married in March 1998.
We both had 40 years of happy marriages to Ernie and Maureen, and between us have five children, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
On March 20, we will be celebrating our silver wedding anniversary!”
How did you meet the love of your life? Send a current photo and wedding picture to siobhan.mcnally@mirror.co.uk