I'm a cashier and there's an elderly couple that comes into my store every Sunday without fail.
I've gotten to know them quite well over the last three years and while it's taken some time to put together all the pieces, getting to know their story was so worth the wait.
The couple (I'm going to call them Mary and John) met when they were 7 years old.
Mary had moved states and John was her new neighbor. They spent all their time together.
When Mary was in her early teens (I'm assuming 11 to 13 from the way she tells it) she moved again and lost contact with him.
John never stopped thinking of her.
When John was choosing colleges, he chose them with her in mind. He picked a major he didn't care for at a school he wasn't interested in, in the hopes he might run into her because it was the type of job she would have been interested in when she was young.
He didn't find her.
He did however go on to become a pretty successful vet.
A couple of moves, one failed marriage, and two kids later, Mary got a dog. She took her dog to the vet to make sure he was up to date on all his shots and whatnot.
While running tests on the dog, John and Mary made small talk and she noted on his accent. They began talking about where they'd lived in the past and quickly realized who the other was.
Mary hadnt thought about John in years but John hadn't forgotten her. He had gotten over his pinning years ago but he still thought of her often.
He asked her on a date.
She said yes.
And within six months he asked her to marry him.
They had just celebrated their 50th anniversary around the time I was getting to know them.
53 year of marriage now and they still hold hands while they walk through the store. He holds the door open for her to get in and out of the car. She gives him kisses on the cheek when he makes her laugh. On days she's not feeling well, he'll come in and make her "love you baskets" and on days he's busy and overworked, she sneaks in and buys him his favorite snacks and (if we have them) a new novelty pen for his collection. Because "he needs reminders that it's okay to rest and enjoy the little things" And they still look at eachother like there's nobody else in the world.
By far one of the most magical couples Ive ever met and I hope with everything in me that one day I can find a love like that.