Barbara and John – a wonderful story of how distance is a small problem overcome
We were thrilled to hear of another two members Barbara and John who were married on 10th August 2024. We are delighted they have been willing to share their story to encourage you as Barbara says: “I hope people who join friends1st will find happiness like John and I have done.”
John joined us in April 2023 and Barbara joined us in September 2023. This is their story in Barbara’s words:
“I first came into contact with John from Northern Ireland in October 2023. John phoned me. When he first phoned I did think the distance was too far. I live in the Northeast of England but we both decided to talk on the telephone. John was so easy to talk to on the phone. We talked about our interests – we both like history. He told me he cared for his mum who was ill over a long period of time. He works as a painter. His sister was a Christian and so was his mother. We spoke about our school days. We both did not like school so we both laughed about that. I did think about meeting him so I asked him could I come over in January 2024.
I booked my flight and the air travel was just over eight hours from the Northeast. I stayed in a hotel near where John lived. When we first met at the airport, we were not talkative but as Saturday came we started to talk and on the Sunday when I went to his church we started to talk and found we really liked each other.
We went out for Sunday lunch and I had to go home on the Monday as I have a daughter with learning disabilities. I promised John I would phone him and come back to see him within a few months. When I returned home we phoned each other three to four times a day. I went back towards the end of January and stayed for a week. My daughter kept phoning so I had to return home because of my daughter being upset.
John came over to visit me in the February to stay for two weeks to see if he liked where I lived and how he got on with my daughter. He got on well with her. John found he liked living in the Northeast. He decided he wanted to stay for good so we both decided he should stay longer.
After about four weeks John asked me to marry him and I said yes. John was so easy going and very kind, loving and would do anything for me. We got married in August 2024. My family were worried at first as I had a hard time with my late husband but once they got to know John they were happy.
Joining friends first was a positive move for both of us. As we were both lonely and we found each other and we love one another we both feel blessed. We both like our church and John is a Christian. Thank you to friends1st for making it possible for me and John to meet.