A couple who had spoken only once since their divorce in 1961 have re-married, tying the knot exactly 50 years on, right down to the time of the ceremony.
Sandra and Terry Kaufman, both 67, from Field Close, Westbury, met at school in Edmonton, London, when they were just 14 and married three years later.
But their marriage deteriorated after just three years.
Mrs Kaufman said: “Money was tight and Terry took a job up north. Our relationship started to drift, until I came to the heartbreaking decision that we should get a divorce.”
Both remarried. Sandra had six children with her second husband but they divorced in 1983 and Terry had one child, and nursed his second and third wives through their final illnesses.
Apart from a chance meeting at the supermarket in 1973, the childhood sweethearts had not spoken to each other until last February.
Mrs Kaufman said: “Terry and I had a mutual friend and her daughter had a friend who I found out was actually Terry’s niece.
“She mentioned his name and I couldn’t believe it. My friend got hold of Terry and gave him my number and he phoned me the next day.”
After a number of phone calls, the pair were reunited and Mrs Kaufman proposed later that year.
She said: “It was a leap year so I did the proper thing and asked him to marry me.”
Mr Kaufman said: “I didn’t think we’d ever get back together but once we got talking again I thought it might happen.”
The couple married at All Saints Church in Church Lane, Westbury, at 3pm on November 29, 2008 – 50 years to the day and at the same time as their first wedding in 1958.
Mr Kaufman added: “Two of our friends who live in Spain came over for the wedding. They met at our original wedding all those years ago and are still together.”
The newlyweds are now planning a honeymoon in Spain.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel