Paducah, KY couple wins love story contest

"I met my Joe at Kresges downtown Paducah when I was 15. He was the first boy I ever kissed. We dated about 9 months. When I told my Dad we planned to marry after high school, I was sent to California for the summer. When I returned I was instructed to break up with him. I obeyed. Soon after, Joe met another and after high school I moved to Texas. Marriage, children and life occupied the next 28 years.

One Saturday afternoon I took my daughters to "Downtown After Dinner.” It was a warm August evening. The bustle of the people on the street and the sweet tunes being played entertained us 3.

At the Gazebo downtown I thought I saw a familiar face and when he began to sing I definitely knew his voice. It was Joe, my first love. At break time I said Hello. We talked briefly, so glad to see you, etc. I went home and cried for 3 days. So many years had passed, I didn't realize until then, I was still in love with him.

We began seeing each other again after a few weeks of talking on the phone. It was glorious, I was so happy and my daughters liked Joe too. This Love story gets even better. We were married 1 year later. August 1, 2000. Funny how we met when we were so young, separated by family but reunited by fate. Truely, love had conquered all. We met at Kresges, reunited at The Gazebo downtown Paducah and now have our home in Paducah. That's my Love story, it maybe corny but it's true. I hope it brings a smile to your face, it did to mine and to my heart."