We originally met 35 years ago at the Jewish Community Center in Worcester, MA and briefly spoke. Barry was 19 years old at the time and I was 15. His sister Annie was in my BBG group. That was it. He went his way and I went my way.

We both had married twice. My two marriages failed. One of his failed and he recently lost his wife of 15 years. We both joined JDate, searching for our soul mate. After all, “they say” the third time is the charm. I only joined for one month, praying that I would find the man of my dreams. I went out on three dates in the course of three weeks, all very nice men. One of which I have befriended.

I was updating my subscription options that were due to end on January 1, 2012 when my kitten, MaryJane, jumped from the window, landing on my computer keyboard with the arrow pointing to re-enroll and subscribed me for another six months at the cost of $185! I immediately panicked since it was Chanukah and I had spent down my allotted allowance for the month. Needless to say, thanks to MaryJane, she emptied my checking account. If that wasn’t enough, she deleted all my emails, except for one. This was an email from a gentleman who lived in Florida who was originally from my hometown of Worcester, MA. In the email, he asked me if I knew of his family. The last name did not ring a bell. He appeared quite different and after all, I met him 35 years ago. I saw that he was online and I decided to take a chance and email him back, after all, I had been dared by an ex-roommate to join JDate. What did I have to lose? It was Christmas Eve and I had only one week left to find my “Prince Charming.” After all, in my profile I mentioned that I was not afraid to accept a dare and I was willing to relocate if the circumstances presented themselves as positive.

I received an email back within 10 minutes of responding to this fellow Worcesterite’s note. I did not have a picture on the site, looks are so superficial, I believe that what is inside is what really matters. Looks are just a plus. I asked Barry if he wanted me to text him a picture from my cell phone, not reading his profile. I didn’t know that he is legally blind and that a picture was not important to him either since he can’t see it anyway. I decided to call him on his cell phone since he said that he had a very busy day ahead of him, he was going out to shul to say his morning prayers and to MatzoBall® that night. We began talking and found out that we had a lot in common. I knew the same people he knew and even knew the color of the house that he grew up in. You see, we grew up a half mile from each other.

We spoke non-stop for three days, almost 18 hours a day. On the third day, I knew that Barry was my “Prince Charming,” my “Knight in Shining Armor” who was going to rescue me and steal my heart. I also knew that we would get married in the near future. He told me that he had something important to tell me. I already knew that I had feelings for him, but I was afraid to tell him that I was falling in love with him, and I knew that was what he wanted to express to me. I said, “Oh no, you are not going to say the L-word to me.” He said, “I love you,” and I told him that I felt the same about him.

He then told me that he wanted me to come to Florida and visit him for as long as I wanted. The plans were made that night for me to arrive in Florida on January 10, 2012 for three weeks and to come home on January 31, with no strings attached. We spoke non-stop for two weeks with a countdown of our final meeting. Well, the days passed so quickly and everyone who we told the story to told us that it was BESHERT. We finally met, arms wide open, at 2:30 pm on January 10, 2012.

Once we hugged each other and kissed for the first time, we knew that this was kismet, luck, Beshert. We felt like we had been together like an old married couple for 35 years. Everywhere we go, people ask us if we are on our honeymoon. We look like a happy couple. I help Barry get around due to his blindness and he makes me so very happy just to be with him, guiding him around. People tell me that I’m a special person since they see how much I love doing things for Barry. If only they knew that it’s a small token for the love that he gives me.

I have been in Florida for three weeks now, and I’m staying for two more weeks at which time I will return to Massachusetts to pack up my belongings and move 1,500 miles to be with my man in Florida. Yesterday, Barry presented me with a two-carat diamond ring and asked me to be his wife. I said, “Yes” of course! After all, I was not going to let him get away from me this time.

We have already spoken with a rabbi and plan on tying the knot on December 24, 2012, one year to the date that we met. The nuptials will take place under the chuppah on the beach in Florida.

Thank you JDate for finally bringing us together after 35 years.

Sandy and Barry
Coconut Creek, Florida