Okay, I'm forewarning you, get your hankies ready.... this story will tear at your heart strings.
Frank + Karen met 54 years ago in Charleston, SC. Karen's father and brother were both in the service, her mother had recently fallen ill. Karen feared that both her father and brother would be deployed simultaneously. She was not yet 18; if something were to happen to her mother while they were away she was uncertain as to what would happen to her.
Frank was a navigator in the Air Force. He and Karen had been dating for some time when he was also deployed. He had left her the keys to his car and apartment while he was away. Frank was terribly smitten with Karen, he carried her picture in his pocket. During his deployment he had a full size portrait painted from this very same picture.
Soon after Frank's deployment, Karen's worst fears came to fruition; her Mother passed away and she was to go live with a family in NYC. Karen, a heartbroken 17 year old girl, was all alone mourning the loss of her mother. She drove the car to Frank's place one last time; parked it in the garage, and left the keys on the counter. Not as much as a note left to inform Frank of her whereabouts. Just like that; in a heartbroken moment Karen had completely disappeared from Frank's life. No ill intent, just a mourning young girl, not realizing the depth of Franks affection, trying to piece her life back together.
Frank returned from his deployment with Karen's hand painted portrait, a ring, and the intent to propose. He found his car parked neatly in the garage, keys on the counter, and his love no where to be found. He searched for her for years to no avail...
Karen met the man that she would spend her life with; they married and had children. Frank, after giving up on finding Karen, finally moved on. When he brought the woman he would call his wife to his home for the first time, she wanted to know who the woman hanging above the fireplace was. Frank told her the story and when they decided to start their life together the portrait was removed, never to be seen again.
Fate stepped in between Frank and Karen, they moved on and lived their lives, fully, happily, and without regret. As the years went on, children grew, age took its toll; Frank and Karen both, unfortunately, found themselves saying goodbye to their spouses far too soon.
A lot has changed in the area of technology since Frank and Karen were youngsters. Finding someone these days is as easy as a quick search on Facebook and a stroke of decent luck. This proved to be true for Frank, who despite 54 years of absence, still had a curiosity about what happened to Karen. He quickly found her and didn't hesitate to contact her. No romantic inclinations, just wanted to catch up and see how the world had treated her; Karen and Frank met up in Atlanta, GA. Karen was amazed to find out how in love with her Frank had been, she honestly had no idea. Her daughter Karissa recalls sitting at the table, awestruck, watching tears stream down her mothers face as Frank relayed the story to her.
Seconds in her presence, after years of her absence, Frank found himself smitten once again. Frank and Karen were married at last, on July, 30th 2016. I believe everything happens for a reason...I'm glad to see such a happy ending!
Congrats to Frank and Karen! I'm so glad you chose me to capture your day, I was honored to be witness to such a wonderful story!
Frank + Karen met 54 years ago in Charleston, SC. Karen's father and brother were both in the service, her mother had recently fallen ill. Karen feared that both her father and brother would be deployed simultaneously. She was not yet 18; if something were to happen to her mother while they were away she was uncertain as to what would happen to her.
Frank was a navigator in the Air Force. He and Karen had been dating for some time when he was also deployed. He had left her the keys to his car and apartment while he was away. Frank was terribly smitten with Karen, he carried her picture in his pocket. During his deployment he had a full size portrait painted from this very same picture.
Soon after Frank's deployment, Karen's worst fears came to fruition; her Mother passed away and she was to go live with a family in NYC. Karen, a heartbroken 17 year old girl, was all alone mourning the loss of her mother. She drove the car to Frank's place one last time; parked it in the garage, and left the keys on the counter. Not as much as a note left to inform Frank of her whereabouts. Just like that; in a heartbroken moment Karen had completely disappeared from Frank's life. No ill intent, just a mourning young girl, not realizing the depth of Franks affection, trying to piece her life back together.
Frank returned from his deployment with Karen's hand painted portrait, a ring, and the intent to propose. He found his car parked neatly in the garage, keys on the counter, and his love no where to be found. He searched for her for years to no avail...
Karen met the man that she would spend her life with; they married and had children. Frank, after giving up on finding Karen, finally moved on. When he brought the woman he would call his wife to his home for the first time, she wanted to know who the woman hanging above the fireplace was. Frank told her the story and when they decided to start their life together the portrait was removed, never to be seen again.
Fate stepped in between Frank and Karen, they moved on and lived their lives, fully, happily, and without regret. As the years went on, children grew, age took its toll; Frank and Karen both, unfortunately, found themselves saying goodbye to their spouses far too soon.
A lot has changed in the area of technology since Frank and Karen were youngsters. Finding someone these days is as easy as a quick search on Facebook and a stroke of decent luck. This proved to be true for Frank, who despite 54 years of absence, still had a curiosity about what happened to Karen. He quickly found her and didn't hesitate to contact her. No romantic inclinations, just wanted to catch up and see how the world had treated her; Karen and Frank met up in Atlanta, GA. Karen was amazed to find out how in love with her Frank had been, she honestly had no idea. Her daughter Karissa recalls sitting at the table, awestruck, watching tears stream down her mothers face as Frank relayed the story to her.
Seconds in her presence, after years of her absence, Frank found himself smitten once again. Frank and Karen were married at last, on July, 30th 2016. I believe everything happens for a reason...I'm glad to see such a happy ending!
