65 Years Later, Former High School Sweethearts Rekindle Their Love In Houston
“We are blessed to share this time of our lives together.”
The Buckingham
Jerry Hill and Mary Nelson are proof that you’re never too old for a second chance at love.
Hill and Nelson, both 86, grew up together in Muncie, Indiana. They dated through high school before ultimately going their separate ways after graduation in 1955.
"He wanted a career and I wanted to get married and have a family, so we just drifted apart," Nelson told ABC News’ Localish.
Hill joined the military and then eventually moved to Houston to work at the NASA Johnson Space Center. Nelson remained in Indiana, got married, and had three daughters.
In the spring of 2020, more than 65 years after parting ways, they reconnected through an alumni group on Facebook. Nelson shared with the group that she was sad to see her local pastor leave their church for an opportunity in Houston. Hill responded by saying that the pastor was at his church now. The high school sweethearts, who were both widowed at this point, picked up where they left off, reflecting on the years they grew up together, the people they knew, and their families.
The Buckingham
“Our fondness for each other grew into love,” Nelson said in a statement. “We share so much and it’s so right for us to be together, to love each other and be there to take care of each other. I feel we are blessed to share this time of our lives together.”
After FaceTiming for 15 months due to the pandemic, Hill finally flew to Pennsylvania where Nelson was living at the time for a visit. It was the first time they'd seen each other in person since their last high school reunion 20 years earlier.
“I was so excited when we finally met in person. Jerry put his arms around me, hugged me, and gave me a big kiss,” Nelson recalled. “It felt so wonderful to be in his arms, not alone anymore and with that special someone.”
After going back and forth between Houston and Pennsylvania, Hill asked Nelson to move in with him at his retirement community in Houston, The Buckingham.
"He said he wanted me to be the person to grow old together, and we’re doing that at 86 years old" Nelson said.
For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Southern Living.
