The 100 year old lady and the story of her love…

Noah: “So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s going to be really hard; we’re gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me… everyday.” The Notebook.

It’s not often you happen to meet a lady who is 100 years old. A lady who would pass for much younger, such was her spirit and sharpness of mind. A lady who, despite her incredible age, walked away after our brief meeting with shoulders back and only the gentle link of her elderly daughter’s protective arm for support….But one chilly day in March I met such a lady. It started as a brief initial exchange of pleasantries in a doctor’s surgery while she waited for her daughter and lead to her telling me about the love of her life..

Rose met Edward before the war in the beautiful city of York that they had both grown up in. The year was 1929 and they were both 15 years old. They were each other’s first love and quickly became inseparable. Edward got a job, they saved their money, got married young and bought a little house on the outskirts of York. Soon Rose became pregnant with their first child, a beloved son, followed a few short years later by a beautiful daughter. They were happy and very much in love.

“We were so happy and so in love” she told me “not even a war could come between us…”. At the age of 25 Edward was sent to fight in WW2. They spent six difficult years apart. Rose raised their children at home while Edward fought for his country in Europe. They missed each other greatly but kept their love strong through writing to each other. When the war ended Edward was finally able to return back to his family. “We were never apart again after that.” she said wistfully. “He was the most wonderful man, he would do anything for you, everyone loved Edward…”

Rose and Edward were together for 64 years before he passed away 21 years ago leaving Rose heartbroken. She finally left the home they had shared in York and moved to live close to her son in the Welsh borders. She was visiting her daughter when we met.

As her daughter appeared, it was time to say goodbye. “You must have really loved him” I said to Rose. She paused for a moment and smiled before clasping her hands together and holding them to her chest “I am still in love with him my dear” she said before raising from her chair and saying goodbye…

The story of Rose’s love was heart warming and beautiful and I felt lucky to have been given a glimpse of it. I felt sad for her that she had lost her one and only love but at the same time happy that she experienced such great love. As they say ‘better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all’.. Rose’s story echoed a wonderful film I have watched since called ‘The Notebook.’

As teenagers, Allie (Rachel McAdams) and Noah (Ryan Gosling) begin a whirlwind courtship that soon blossoms into tender intimacy. The young couple are quickly separated by Allie’s upper-class parents who insist that Noah isn’t right for her. Several years pass but when fate leads them to meet again, their passion is rekindled, forcing Allie to choose between her social class and her soulmate. This beautiful tale has a particularly special meaning to an older gentleman (James Garner) who regularly reads the timeless love story to his ageing companion (Gena Rowlands).

This is such a beautiful love story and a really watchable film. The characters are utterly believable thanks to the brilliant performances from the lead cast and there are some truly memorable and tear jerking moments in the movie that had me reflecting for days to follow. So if you’re looking for a great film to watch over the Easter holidays then reach for your On Demand on Sky as it’s currently now showing!