It didn’t start out romantic — he stood her up on a blind date. But 60 years later, Mary Jane Weimer and George Longmire are married.
Mary Jane (81) and George (90) met in 1946, when George was a law student at the University of North Dakota and working at the Grand Forks Police Department, and she was working as a nurse in the same town. A mutual friend set up a blind date, but George said ”it wasn’t confirmed”, so he didn’t go, he told The Grand Forks Herald newspaper for its Saturday edition.
Later, after he realised he had stood her up, he called to apologise.
”I called her the very next night. I told her I was sorry and I didn’t realise it was a date,” he said. ”I asked her if I could make up for it and take her out to dinner.”
The two intended to marry then, but religious differences stood in the way. Mary Jane is a Roman Catholic and George is a Baptist.
”It was painful for both of us,” Mary Jane said. ”My family was very much impressed with him.”
Eventually, both met others who would become spouses and they started families. Mary Jane moved to another town.
Mary Jane’s husband died in 2003, and George’s wife died a year later. One day last May, Mary Jane called George. She had followed his career as a prosecutor and state lawmaker from afar, but they hadn’t spoken in 60 years.
”I knew his wife had passed away, and I just wanted to talk,” Mary Jane told the newspaper. ”If you are lonely, there is someone out there who could use a friend. Especially when you can use one, too.”
The two agreed to meet in Grand Forks to reminisce. Less than a year later, they decided to get married, and had a ceremony on Saturday.
Religion isn’t an issue any more, said Longmire’s daughter, Linda.
”They both maintain their faiths,” she said. ”Their love precedes pretty much everything.”
It’s been a comfort to see her father and Mary Jane rekindle their friendship.
”It’s inspiring, and a blessing. He deeply mourned my mother’s passing, and we were concerned about him,” Linda said. ”He’s been kind of rejuvenated. He’s not winding down his life, he’s expanding it.”
Mary Jane admits to a few pre-marriage jitters.
”I was a little nervous, wondering if at this age we could change our lifestyles to match,” she said. ”Now, I am feeling that it will be a happy time for all.
”Both of us are still well, and thinking straight and enjoying life. I look forward to caring for him, and he feels the same way.” — Sapa-AP