11-14-2023 7:21pm

Finding Love on Facebook

Christine Larkin Editor

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - FINDING LOVE ON FACEBOOK

Love can show up in the most unlikely places, even over 60. If you think you're getting too old for technology, you just might find love on Facebook.

I moved back to Long Island in 2012 after living and working in New York City for more than 35 years. About a year before that, I was reading through my messages on Facebook and discovered that an old high school classmate had messaged me. I was shocked that he would write to me. I remembered him immediately from high school. He was one of the "Bay Brats." That's what we called the guys who lived south of Montauk Highway near the bay in Bay Shore. They were clammers and surfers. We shared a class together in our junior year. I used to notice his shoes. He had a distinct style that was grunge before it even existed. I wrote him back. We talked about taking a walk together. I said, "I love sunsets." He wrote back, "I enjoy walking at dawn. Either one. Between dusk and dawn, God space." I knew this was it. He was speaking my language. I met his family on our first date. As he stepped into my car, we looked into each other's eyes, and that was it. I haven't looked back. We've been together for 11 years through thick and thin, and then some.

Love can happen in a moment. I do believe in love at first sight. It's a chemical reaction. It's in the mind, and we have little power to stop it.

I read an interview recently in AARP The Magazine. It was adapted by StoryCorps. It's a love story. You already know mine.

Love Lost, Then Found

Jimmy Neeley: We had a class together. That's how I first noticed her.

Becky Neeley: It was 1969. That was your senior year and my sophomore year at Longview High School.

Jimmy: I asked you out, and I was the first date you ever had. We dated through that year.

Becky: And then after senior year, you decided to enlist. You were just 17.

Jimmy: I was on pins and needles waiting for letters from you. I had already bought an engagement ring and was planning to ask you to marry me. I was pretty sure you'd say yes.

Becky: I didn't even look at the ring. I just said, "No, I can't marry you." My Mom did not want me involved with anyone in the military during Vietnam. My dad was injured in World War II, so perhaps that was part of it. "Just make a clean break," she said.

Jimmy: You went on to college, met your husband and were married for 43 years. Life just took us on different paths. But I always wondered how you were doing.

Becky: I became a widow in 2017. I watched my husband take his last breath in our bed in the house we'd lived in for 30 years. He had cancer. I was 62. I didn't expect to be a widow that young. About a year and a half later, my daughter suggested I become more active on Facebook, and I saw your picture. you were wearing your police uniform, and I thought, Is that my Jimmy Neeley? And I saw then that you had become a widower.

Jimmy: My wife and I had been together for 34 years, and she had been really ill the last eight years of her life. I had no idea if I'd ever date again. When I got your message, you told me that you understood, because you lost your husband. And I was thinking, well, It'd be great to have coffee and catch up on old times.

Becky: Our cars pulled up at the very same time. I felt like I was a teenager again going on my first date.

Jimmy: I was on cloud nine, and I looked forward to talking to you again. I'd call you and we'd spend hours on the phone. It didn't take long for me to realize I was falling in love with you.

Becky: My heart was really moving towards a deeper commitment with you. But I was still really scared. Then my son pulled me aside one day, and he said, "Mom, why would you avoid happiness that God put before you?"

Jimmy: We went back to the same spot from 49 years before, and I asked you to marry me again. This time you said yes.

Becky: Your mom and dad had married on Valentine's Day, so that's the date we chose: February 14, 2020.

Jimmy: So, you're my valentine. I wake up and every day I thank God he brought you back into my life. I'm just very happy.

Jimmy and Becky Neeley, now ages 70 and 68, live in Rockwell, Texas. That's Amore!

This story really pulled at my heart strings. It's one of many, and it can be yours. If love is meant to be, neither time nor space can keep it apart. So, if you're looking for love, maybe you should look on Facebook. There might just be an old flame that still has the hots for you.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, there are hundreds, maybe thousands of love stories that are still unfolding. For more true American Stories, go to storycorps.org.

SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - BEYOND MONET

Through the use of cutting-edge projection technology and an original score, Beyond Monet breathes new life into over 400 of Claude Monet’s artworks. Occupying over 50,000 square feet, Beyond Monet is the largest immersive experience in the country, offering guests ample room to safely enjoy the exhibit. Don't miss this beautiful, immersive experience on Long Island.

Now open:

October 7, 2023 - January 2, 2024

Hours of Operation:

Sunday: 11am – 6pm (last entry 5pm)
Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday & Thursday: 11am – 7pm (last entry 6 pm)
Friday & Saturday: 11am – 9pm (last entry 8pm)Location

Samanea New York Mall, 1500 Old Country Road, Westbury, NY 11590 2nd Floor/Center.

For more information, visit Long Island | Beyond Monet

Support your local news!

SKYLARK'S INSPRIATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”
- Dr. Seuss

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What's your love story?

Please put your answer in the Reply section below. I'd love to hear from you.

Support your local news!

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - LOVE WILL FIND A WAY by PABLO CRUISE (1978)

BONUS TRACK! LOVE WILL FIND A WAY by LIONEL RICHIE

ABOUT SKYLARK LIVE AND HOW TO FOLLOW ME

My brand, Skylark Live, consists of a weekly newsletter, Skylark Live Town News, a monthly vlog, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, and monthly in-person chats called The Skylark Sessions. They are all designed to inspire and motivate women to thrive in older age through knowledge and self-awareness at 60 and beyond. Andiamo! Let's go!

Skylark Live Town News - My weekly newsletter features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, motivation, music, places I've been to, and ideas I want to explore. I represent Bay Shore and towns beyond. There is also a calendar of events. And, I throw in Italian words because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a paying subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. That gives you a head's up. You can also advertise your business or event on my newsletter. Just click the link to subscribe: https://skylarklive.town.news

The Skylark Sessions (a work in progress): The Skylark Sessions are in-person chats in a round-table format. There is a new topic for each session. I moderate, but this is an open conversation. I will post the date, time, topic, and location on my social media sites as well as on my Patreon account. There is a $5 cash donation per session. You can RSVP at christineskylark@aol.com.

60 and Beyond with Skylark Vlog - This is my first Monday-of-the month vlog that is inspirational and motivational and is a reflection of what I've written about in my newsletters throughout the month and what we've talked about in my Skylark Sessions. My vlog is recorded and posted on my YouTube Channel, as well as on my Patreon account and my social media sites. Just click my Tube Channel link to subscribe:

Support me on Patreon - This is where you can support my brand for $5 a month. This enables me to carve out time to write my newslettters, create my vlogs, and coordinate my Skylark Sessions. Just click the link: Skylark Live | 60 and Beyond with Skylark | Patreon

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Thank you for your love and support. Apprezza la giornata. Cherish the day.