Couple Finally Ties The Knot 43 Years After Breaking Up Due To Pressure From Bride’s Mother

A 69-year-old woman, Jeanne Gustavson, has recently revealed to People that she got married to the love of her life after losing contact with him for the past 43 years. “When he proposed, I said, ‘A thousand times yes!'” She told the outlet in an interview on the Valentine’s Day special. “We’re trying to make up for 42 lost years.”

Gustavson had earlier expressed her regret for breaking up with her college sweetheart. “I can’t turn back the clock. I wish I could,” she told CBS News. “I would have married him.”

Jeanne Gustavson says that her mom opposed their relationship

The 69-year-old explained that she met Stephen Watts, in the German club at Loyola University in Chicago where they both had their college education. Even though Gustavson stated was years ahead of her and they both began a relationship. Giving more details about the relationship, the 69-year-old told People that she discovered that Watts had all it took to be the perfect boyfriend. “He was extremely handsome, dressed impeccably, always a gentleman,” Gustavson told the outlet. “Everything you’d want in a boyfriend.”

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However, Gustavson said that when her mom found out about the relationship, she expressed her disapproval and objected citing the fact that he was not white. “My mother was absolutely livid,” she explained. “What didn’t she say? How could I disgrace the family? It was not pretty.”

Although the duo kept up their relationship secretly for some years until they became frustrated with the mounting pressure from her mother. “I was completely overwhelmed by everything. The family issue was always weighing on me because it fractured the relationship between my mother and myself forever,” the 69-year-old explained. “She was always my mother and I always loved her, but it affected our relationship for the rest of my life.”

Sadly, Gustavson eventually broke up with Watts to salvage what’s left of the relationship she has with her family. “I would’ve lost my entire family,” she explained. “I knew that if I did marry him, I probably wouldn’t see my family again.”

Jeanne Gustavson made efforts to locate Stephen Watts after many years

After her divorce from her husband, Gustavson decided to seek out her university love as her mother was also no longer alive. “Everything came up a dead end when I tried to search for him,” she said. “There was virtually no trace of him.”

However, in April 2021, she got information from Watt’s niece, Adrienne Baskin, who replied to her letters he was staying in a nursing home located in Chicago. The 69-year-old revealed that she had a lot of questions on her mind after making the discovery. “I needed to know: Was he okay?” Gustavson asked herself. “Was he married? Would he forgive me?”

Jeanne Gustavson and Stephen Watts tie the knot

Gustavson located her sweetheart and found out that after over four decades of not seeing each other, she still had a special place in Watt’s heart. The 69-year-old revealed that he still maintained his good nature despite having a stroke and a leg amputation. “He was still the wonderful man that I knew 50 years ago,” Gustavson said. “He had withdrawn. There were little glimmers of his personality.”

After the reunion, the long-time lovers tied the knot on October 15, 2022, with 65 guests in attendance at the ceremony. Gustavson disclosed that she was eager to say yes immediately after he proposed. “When he proposed, I said, ‘A thousand times yes!'” she said. “We’re trying to make up for lost years.”

She also stated that she was happy to take up Watt’s name because it had been her plan all through her life. “I gladly took his last name,” Gustavson said with excitement. “I’ve wanted it for a long time.”