After waiting patiently for over six decades, two teenage sweethearts have finally tied the knot. Len Albrighton, 79, and his sweetheart Jeanette Steer, 78, first dreamed of spending their lives together back in 1963. However, their parents stood in the way, not wanting them to merge their families. Now, at almost eighty years old, Len and Jeannette have finally said their wedding vows. They were engaged to be wed back in the 1960s when they were trainee nurses on the Isle of Wight and had plans to move to Australia to start their lives together.
Unfortunately, back in the 1960s, the legal age to marry in the United Kingdom was twenty-one, and Jeannette was only eighteen at the time. This meant she needed her parents’ consent to marry Len, who was nineteen. Tragically, her parents refused to give permission, and the wedding was called off, leaving the couple separated for six long decades.
Despite the heartbreaking separation, Len decided to pursue his dream of leaving the UK for Australia, as he was never truly happy in Britain. However, he and Jeannette managed to stay in touch over the years, and after sixty long years, they found their way back to each other. They have since married and are now living in Stevenage, Herts, Australia, experiencing a life together that they describe as nothing short of “fantastic.”
During their time apart, Len and Jeannette built their own families and lives. Len married another woman in Australia and even built a house on land that he had originally planned to share with Jeannette. He became a father of three.
Meanwhile, Jeannette remained on the Isle of Wight, where she and Len had grown up together. She married a naval officer and had two children, building a successful career in nursing.
In 2015, Len’s marriage came to an end, and he decided to see if his old flame was still in his life. He reached out to Jeannette and traveled to the Isle of Wight to find her.
“I was nervous not knowing how she would react or if I would even get to see her. I took a chance, and it was quite difficult to locate her, but I did. I just hoped she was alright- I didn’t expect anything more. I am pleasantly surprised by the outcome of my trip, and I am incredibly happy too!”
Two years after their unexpected reunion, Jeannette’s husband passed away, and Len was there to offer his support. Finally, after six decades of waiting, the couple happily tied the knot.
“Married life is absolutely fantastic- it couldn’t be better,” shared Jeannette. “It’s wonderful to have someone who treats me with respect. I enjoy doing everything and anything together with Len.”
Their story is a testament to the power of true love and the joy of finally being able to marry the one you’ve been waiting for, even after all those years apart.
