Love truly knows neither bounds nor timelines.
Joe Potenzano and Mary Elkind are living proof of that.
This October, they’re set to tie the knot, rekindling a romance that began 64 years ago.
SOURCE:YOUTUBE – EYEWITNESS NEWS ABC7NY
The two first crossed paths in 1959 at Joe’s sister’s wedding.
Mary was the radiant maid of honor, and Joe, the dashing best man.
“I fell head over heels for her, and she felt the same about me,” Joe, now 93, shared with a gleam in his eye.
However, life had other plans.
After a brief romance, they ventured onto different paths.
Mary chased her dreams in the world of professional dance, while Joe delved deep into engineering studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Mary eventually settled down with another man, raising a family in Rockland County, New York.
Joe, on the other hand, chose the life of a bachelor.
SOURCE:YOUTUBE – EYEWITNESS NEWS ABC7NY
Yet, destiny has a way of bringing souls back together.
Over the years, their families kept them connected.
Then, one day, feeling the weight of loneliness that often accompanies old age, Joe mustered the courage to ask Mary, now a widow for nine years, out on a date.
Mary chuckled as she remembered their conversation, “He asked me out, and then realized he didn’t even have my number!”
Their dates were filled with dinners, movies, and long phone calls.
One day, in the comfort of Joe’s home, he popped the question.
While Joe knew there was no way around it, he wanted to marry Mary, he was still just a little bit hesitant.
The problem? He wasn’t sure he was in the running for marriage material.
SOURCE:YOUTUBE – EYEWITNESS NEWS ABC7NY
“At my age, I wasn’t sure if I was gonna get shot down,” he said.
The two lovebirds are now eagerly awaiting their wedding day.
After the celebrations, they plan to escape to Cape Cod for a romantic honeymoon.
Mary reflected on their journey, “I’ve always had a soft spot for Joe. Sometimes, I’d wonder how life would’ve turned out if we’d been together. Now, I guess we’ll find out.”