We asked readers to share stories of romance. Here are a few responses:

Soul mate

I met my husband while I was going through a separation with a cheating husband. My life was in a whirlwind with two children. My daughter was 4 and my son was 7 months old.

I didn’t know what my next steps were but I knew I had to move on. His name was Tom and he put pieces back that were broken in my soul. He took on the meaning of a soul mate.

Five years later we married and in 2006 we welcomed a son. Everyday is a challenge especially with a split family but we conquered the hard days and embraced the good days. The word quit was never in our vocabulary because we had three children and a lifetime of happiness depending on both of us.

I can’t imagine my life without my husband Tom and our little family. We tried to never sweat the small stuff and the big stuff became arguments that ended with love. Twenty-three years later and I still get many butterflies when he looks at me. I can’t wait to spend the rest of eternity with my husband making more memories and adventures.

Jennifer Ketchledge

Lehighton

Love to the end

My first meeting with my wife Darlene was on a cold Saturday morning in January 1998. We agreed to meet at Perkins Restaurant in South Whitehall Township, near Dorney Park.

We talked on the phone to set up the meeting. I answered her personal ad in the ISO (In Search Of) section of the Morning Call, a regular Saturday feature in the 1980s and 1990s.

She was in the nursing field and I was a high school teacher.

She was 1 1/2 years older than me, with both of us being in our late 40s.

The first thing I noticed about her was her attractiveness, On the other hand, I was a firm believer in dressing for comfort. In addition to being unshaven for a few days, I wore a trench coat, sweatshirt, sweatpants, sneakers, and a gold chain.

During the first six months of our relationship, she was a very patient woman, giving me four chances to “get my act together.” I realized then how special she was, turning my life toward different directions. She must have seen something in me.

All of this was brought out when we were interviewed by Bill White, a former columnist for the Morning Call. Darlene and I were featured in his Jan. 26, 2017, column, entitled “Unusual Proposals.” I proposed to Darlene in the early spring of 2000 at Grandview Cemetery at my mother’s grave.

My advice is to be honest and be yourself. Think “we” and not “I.”

We were a team, always taking care of each other and looking out for each other. Those 3 little words “I love you” can do wonders for your marriage. until May 21, 2023

We were together for 25 years and 4 months. We were married for 21 years and 5 months until May 21, 2023. Due to complications from an earlier stroke and dementia, she passed away peacefully in her sleep in the nursing home.

Another marriage made in Heaven.

Richard Ochs

Walnutport

Keeping relationship fun

I met my husband 35 years ago at a block party.

Our first date was the next day with my son in tow, we went to the same block party and he spent the entire night having a great time with my 4-year-old on rides and games.

We dated for six months when he asked me to marry him. I said yes. Four months later we were married.

He is a wonderful dad to my son. We keep our relationship fun and care about each others feelings, never go to bed mad. Always say I love you and always kiss good night.

Melinda Young

Weissport