A Love Story

A Presbyterian Leader blog post by Rev. Noe Juarez

There are many families who will be missing their loved ones this Christmas. It is my hope and prayer that God will strengthen your faith through this beautiful love story of Marie and Howard Leonhard. Merry Christmas everyone! Howie, I dedicate this story to you:

Marie’s Love story actually begins at the age of 68, widowed and a very, very busy, working lady, living in Florida, with a good job, and a home, she thought she had the world on a string!  After raising three wonderful kids and looking back on her past marriages that kind of left her thinking “being on my own was the best of all worlds”.  She though those “prince charming romances” and the “happily ever afters” were only in story books, movies or they only happened to someone else!   Any spare time she had was filled with church work or being involved in club activities.  So who needs a man?

            Life was soon on the brink of changing when a letter came in the mail inviting Marie to her “50th High School Class Reunion” from Pennsylvania.  WOW!   How great it would be to see some of the people in our small home town where she had spent all her school days!! - She thought -  “I won’t even know any of them”, “No one will even recognize me after 50th years”!   1200 miles was a long way to see people who she wouldn’t know and who would not remember her.   Now, she was thinking of flying 1200 miles to go back to what?  Back to who?  Then another thought struck.  Since her daughter Diane lived near Washington DC with her hubby, 2 teen-age daughters and her 2 year old daughter Sarah, she thought it would be good to fly to Washington, rent a car and take Diane, Sarah and the two older girls, Rose and Marie back to her hometown.  That was the clincher, it’s a done deal!

            The day of the reunion finally arrived and she had more second thoughts about going.  But as she walked in the door she heard a voice at the registration desk saying “Howard Leonhard”.  Her ears perked up and she thought “at least there will be one person there that I will know but only because of my eavesdropping.”  She remembered Howard - tall, good looking, great athlete.   After registering, when she walked to the door “he” was standing in the doorway.  Trying to be cute, she said “Howard… I'll bet you don’t remember me, do you?”    There was just a blank stare so she mumbled “Marie”…. what a difference…..  his eyes lit up and he seemed genuinely happy to see me!  After a few nice words, he went his way and she saw some of the gals that she recognized so she went off to reconnect with them. You could call it luck or the Grace of God, but when they were seated for the luncheon, ‘he’ was by her side.  They had a great time and talked and laughed more than they did in the 12 years of school, more than she had laughed in a long time. They just seemed to click.   The conversations were all about good old Highspire High School, teachers and classmates but they did learn that they both lost their spouses many years before and had no attachments.

As they finished lunch, Marie asked Howard if he knew how to find the Ladies Room.  He said, “I’ll show you”, (Even though he did not know…) taking her arm and leading the way.  What a gentleman!  Not to mention the sparks that flew as he touched her arm!   Later in the evening at the reunion he asked for her address. Marie just happened to have business cards with her name, address and “e-mail” so she handed him one of those.   When the party broke up, Marie really hoped that he would walk her to her car and they could continue the conversation but that didn’t happen and she truly thought she would never see him again.  From the time the invitation to the reunion came to that moment, there were no thoughts of making a love connection, the thought never entered her mind but now she felt like a giddy school girl again. She just couldn’t get him off her mind.  He really touched her in a way I thought would never happen.  but oh well, back to reality and the lonely hotel room.  The next morning she went to breakfast at one of the local restaurants, hoping that he might wander in but that didn’t happen either.  So she picked up her daughter and granddaughters and headed back to Washington and then home to Florida.  It was a wonderful visit with family but it felt like something very important was left undone.

            Two days later back in Fort Lauderdale she was on the Internet checking messages.   Her eyes lit up when she an e-mail address she didn’t recognize?  Could it be??   YUP, it was!!   He was happy that she came to the Class Reunion and really enjoyed her company, so Marie replied with a polite but friendly answer.

After many, many e-mail messages back and forth, Instant Messages, phone calls and cards…..  one day he wrote, “I just have to come to Florida to see where this is heading?”  So after 30 days of messages and phone calls, Marie found herself waiting for a plane to arrive at the airport.  What would they say?  How would they act?  It was impossible to predict what their reaction would be when they met face to face and actually “touched”!  Looking back, it was unbelievable how they connected and it seemed as though they had always been meant for each other.  All it took was that first hug and kiss; and we both knew we had to be together!  This was already a lifetime commitment.  After 11 wonderful days getting to know all about each other, the good and the bad, they were back at the airport for his return to Pennsylvania.  Deep inside was the worst fear of Marie’s life “that they would never see each other again”.  How wrong she was.  Within a few days of separation and endless phone calls and e-mails, the subject of wedding bells came up and they were married 3 months to the day after that 50th class reunion.  Their marriage was performed by the local Mayor at the Leonhard family reunion on Labor Day week-end 2000 in the Park with many of their children, grandchildren, relatives, in-laws and classmates to wish them well.   Two weeks later we had a “Celebration of Marriage” at Sunset church in Fort Lauderdale performed by their minister with a marvelous reception done by their friends.

            Was it love at first sight?  You might say that (after a 50 year separation).  Marie prefered to think that with so many coincidences in a period of 3 months, it was much more than luck.  They truly believed that only God could have orchestrated such a miracle.   Marie writes:  “These have truly been the happiest years of my life.”

            Is everything perfect?  Of course not, that only happens in fairy tales but they found that when two people really love each other and realize that God’s hand was involved in the union, they can compromise and work out anything that comes their way. 

            Is it worth it?  You bet it is!!  A good marriage is the best investment anyone can make!

            This past September Marie and Howie celebrated their Twelfth Wedding Anniversary and now “Marie is watching over Howie”. As Marie and Howie favorite song says:

There's a somebody I'm longin' to see, I hope that Marie, turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me,
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood,
I know I could, always be good, To one who'll watch over me…
Won't you tell her please to put on some speed…Follow my lead, oh, how I need, Someone to watch over me”  

“I can’t imagine my life without “Howie” and obviously he is in it for the long haul too”.  “It is truly NEVER too late for happiness!” said Marie before she went into the aternal arms of God.

 

Comments

[Howie Leonhard]

Pastor Noe

I am overwhelmed with happiness of the thought that you would blog our "Love Story". I am so appreciative that Marie's story gets out for others to read and appreciate. I miss Marie every moment of the day. Thank you for supporting me through my loss of my beloved Marie. Your buddy, Howie

[Ross Taylor]

Such a beautiful, honest love story. It's better than a Hollywood script. Thanks for sharing this again. We love and miss Marie dearly. You two were made for each other. Howie, you're on our minds and we love ya.

Ross and family

[Karen May]

Hello Pastor Noe,

When Dad met Marie at their class reunion. He was so giddy when he talked of her. When he went down to Florida to get acquainted with Marie after the class reunion. I kinda of knew he had a lot of love for this lady Marie. And I had worries of him leaving Pa and moving to FL. But,once we met this smiling beautiful lady, my worries were over. I knew they were meant for each other and that they would take very good care of each other. You could see it in the both of them, the love they had for each other. I too miss Marie so much. She became our family too. Dad had to share Marie with us. This story I tell to alot of people when I talk of my Dad and Marie,almost every time there were tears of joy. Marie will always be in the hearts of this Leonhard family.

[Noe Juarez]

It is a wonderful love story; Perhaps a producer will make a movie about it. Merry Christmas!

[Lucy Walters]

Thanks for a wonderful love story. I know it to be true as Marie was a great friend of mine. When I met Howie I knew they were meant for each other. Truly a match made from Heaven. They made each other so happy.
I really miss Marie. Also thanks Howie for the beautiful Christmas card.
Love
Lucy Walters

[Rose Constantini]

Everytime I hear this story I am moved to tears. It gives hope to me that God will grant me the same kind of love and appreciation with someone that you two so clearly had for each other. Grandma is watching over you everyday, Howie. God bless you, and Merry Christmas!

[Diane Warhurst]

It is one of the most beautiful love stories. It reminds me of how powerful Gods love for us is. The beautiful tapestry that God is weaving for us in our lives. We need to trust in him completely and let go. Thank you for posting this beautiful story. God bless and merry christmas to you and your family

[Eleanor Barnes`]

My late husband, Bill and I were in Germany visiting our son and his family where I was talking on line to a mutual friend who said, "guess who just got engaged?" I replied I hope it isn't you (she had been recently divorce4d) and she said; "no, Marie Gallant did." I was speechless. I did think she was dating anyone and was really surprised. I came home a month later and our whole club attended their Celebration of Marriage. These two people were so happy and you could see the bond between them as they stood there and repeated their vows.

Howie made Marie the happiest woman in the world and Bill and I and everyone else who knew them were happy for them. Marie is still watching over Howie from wherever her star is shining All of us who are members of the Pilot Club of Ft. Lauderdale miss Marie's ever present smile and her willingness to help us whenever we couldn't figure something out to our satisfaction. I will never forget the sparkle in her eye when she spoke of Howie and how she brought this very nice gentlemen into our circle4 of friends and acquaintances. All of us should be as lucky as these two were to have shared the last twelve years together showing us that love is not only for the young. God Bless you, Howie!

[Janice Carulli]

This is truly a beautiful love story and so happy my Aunt found such happiness in her life. Howie we know how difficult it must be missing her warm smile and caring way. I know she is watching over you and still with you everyday.

Thank you Pastor for sharing their story and hope it inspires others. rIP Aunt Re and hugs and kisses to you Howie.

The Carulli's - Leonard, Janice Anthony and Michael

[Mary Schiano]

The love story between Howie and Marie is wonderful. Their love for each other was and is an inspiration for us all. I remember when Marie told me that she had been cooresponding with an old High School friend. The twinkle in her eye and the smile on her face were an indication of the joy that was to come for the two of them. Their love was certainly a gift from God, not only for them but for all of us who shared in it with them. And while we miss Marie we know that she is in heaven looking down on Howie with a twinkle in her eye and a warm smile on her beautiful face.

[Fran Leonhard]

Marie and my Dad had 12 happy years of marriage - they loved life, their church, their family and friends and best of all each other and it showed. We are truly blessed to have had Marie in our lives. I am thankful for knowing her and what she brought to our family and to me as a person. Marie was an easy person to like and love. Thank you Marie and Rest in Peace. Thank you Pastor Noe for sharing Marie and Howie's Love Story.

[Roberto Andrade]

Hello Howie:

Congratulations for wonderful love story. I have good memories of you. Howie's good sense of humor and Marie good work at Sunset, she always was taking good pictures.

God bless you my friend.
Roberto