Love knows no bounds, and this heartwarming story proves just that. Meet Maurice Benton, a sprightly 90-year-old, and Joanne Orris, a lively and independent 92-year-old. Affectionately known as “Mo and Jo,” this inseparable couple has been living together for an incredible 37 years. And now, they have taken the next step on their journey together by saying their long-awaited “I do’s.”
Their love story took an unexpected turn when Mo popped the question to Jo while she was having a heart attack. In the midst of that terrifying moment, surrounded by fear and uncertainty, Mo mustered the courage to ask the woman he adored if she would marry him. And, much to his surprise, Jo agreed, seizing the opportunity to solidify their love.
Both Mo and Jo had turned down each other’s proposals many times before. But Jo’s heart attack brought their mortality into sharp focus and made them realize that their time together is precious. Jo, a mother of two and a great-great-grandmother, looked into Mo’s eyes and finally said, “Yes.”
In Jo’s own words, “When I said yes, I think Maurice was so shocked, he nearly had a heart attack as well. We’ve been laughing ever since. And it means there won’t be any problems with the taxman.”
Mo, a devoted father to two daughters and a doting grandfather to five grandchildren, couldn’t contain his joy. “I’ll still be her slave, doing all the washing and ironing,” he lovingly quipped. “Jo’s not so mobile, but fortunately, she’s got a sharp brain like nobody else. It was about time she made an honest man of me.”
On March 19, surrounded by their loved ones, Mo and Jo exchanged vows. With the help of a vicar and a registrar, their dream of becoming husband and wife finally came true. The joyful occasion was marked by laughter, flowing champagne, and a feast prepared by Mo himself. As they celebrated their union, Jo playfully remarked, “The only downside is he can’t call me his mistress anymore.”
This heartwarming tale reminds us that love has no age limit. It knows no boundaries of time or circumstance. It is a force that can ignite even in the later chapters of our lives. So let Maurice and Joanne’s story serve as a reminder to cherish the love we have and to take the leap of faith when our hearts guide us towards happiness.
