Thirty one years ago today, Rebecca and I enjoyed our first date here.
"In a branch of Dorothy Perkins?" I hear you say.
"No", I reply, "in 1983, this was the Lord Nelson pub in Loughborough Market Place."
I had asked Rebecca out a few days before, on the 23rd she tells me. What has lasted 31 years with barely a cross word, so very nearly didn't get started at all. I had arranged to meet Rebecca in Loughborough Bus Station (sadly demolished several years ago to make way for a still half empty shopping centre), and when her bus arrived she wasn't on it. At the same time, my Uncle Alan (who was a bus driver for Howlett's, who have since closed down) was in Loughborough Bus Station waiting to take the service bus to Sileby. So after being "stood up" I went and sat on his bus with him. A couple of minutes before he was due to leave and take me to Sileby and back, up roared a white Ford Cortina driven by Rebecca's dad, and out jumped Rebecca. She had missed her bus!!!
So, off we wandered to the Lord Nelson for a few drinks and to get to know each other better. I remember drinking a couple of pints of Worthington and putting Heaven Seventeen's Facist Groove Thang on the jukebox.
The rest is history. We married after university in 1989, and I am still blessed by the love of the wonderful lady I am proud to call my wife. Our marriage has been strengthened by the years, and the love and company of two amazing sons. I confess to a sense of contentment from early in our relationship that I never dreamed could exist during my very turbulent childhood.
We had met in Mrs Roe-Ely's Economics A level class at school, and today I gave Rebecca a handmade card commemorating the fact and she gave me a packet of Love Hearts.
As for the Lord Nelson,according to Billy's Book of Loughborough Boozers it opened sometime around 1828, and sadly closed in 1987 to make way for a shop that looks rather like it may be closing sometime soon, judging by the sign above the door.
You are such a soft hearted and sensitive person Sean and it's so good to hear a man not afraid to be in touch with 'feelings, emotion and love'. So often boys were brought up to keep all that sort of stuff in check, wish there were more around like you! Happy anniversary and may you have many, many more.
You really ought to frame this one Sean with your story about it on the back. Thanks for sharing it, and congratulations on the 31 years. Handmade card! You big softie.
I love a story with a happy ending. I wish you Many more years of happiness to follow. I'm most impressed busy the handmade card- most of us can only dream of such treats!
Aww what a heartwarming story Sean. Steve and I also met 31 years ago this year - in a Club. Quite amazing especially as neither of us were the clubbing type but I had gone to accompany a friend who had split up with her boyfriend and Steve was there for a similar reason! Like you we have been blessed with two wonderful children and have barely had a cross word in our 31 years!!
I must Fav the picture and the story! It's heartwarming to read about how you met, married and grew in love with each other! Your wife is a lucky woman!
This is a wonderful story, Sean, and I read every word to Linda (merely 27 years for us). I admire your sentimentality and willingness to share it with the entire world. The photo is cool too.
Great photo, I thought it had been taken in the 80's got a great retro feel to it. Lovely story, nice to hear a happy story. I met my husband on a blind date 29 years ago this month, the club is now a housing estate. I had a perm and he had hair, we were both skinny, he still is, but then I have the excuse of 3 kids.
More stories of a great family life and marraige need to be told...thanks for sharing and I hope all the rest of your time together continues to make awesome memories like the ones told here...oh, and awesome capture too!
Lovely story, Sean, just found this. Congratulations to you and Rebecca! And Economics 'A' level! - takes me back to 1961, I had left school, was working at Worthing town hall, doing Economics and British Constitution at 'A' Level. For family circumstances and less opportunities then didn't go to university. But did a part-time degree with the now Westminster University in the 1970s.
Aw you old romantic! It warms the cockles of my heart to know that love has worked out so well :) Bless you both and may you have many many more years of happiness together x
Fab capture and a charming glimpse into Rebecca's and your story. Love your gift exchange. Congratulations to you both, may you be blessed with many more, happy years together.
The place I met my wife 18 years ago was a bbq restraunt and now its a jewelry store . lol
Must confess I was a bit alarmed to think you first met in a Dorothy Perkins store! Good job read the beautiful comment,.
My wife and I (45 years and going strong) met on a Vietnam protest rally in London. Make love not war, as thy say.
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