It’s never too late for a fairytale ending – never. Just as Dr. Thomas McMeekin and Nancy Gambell, high school sweethearts who got engaged six decades after their initial courtship, split up only by circumstances beyond their control.
A video of their reunion – very tearful in nature – has captivated viewers everywhere. Despite going live on TikTok on July 1, just over a week later, the footage has gained over 2.5 million views – and that’s not even counting another video showing the leadup to Dr. McMeekin’s proposal speech, which has an additional 1.5 million views.
Thomas McMeekin and Nancy Gambell get a chance at love with their sweetheart at last
@jobuns_ My heart!! Sweetest proposal 🥹 He was so excited! #proposal #highschoolsweethearts #fyp #love #tampaflorida #tampainternationalairport
On TikTok, user @jobuns_ captured the moment when McMeekin – who is reportedly the user’s own doctor – approached Gambell at Tampa International Airport. The user put the caption, “POV: The Doctor you work with rekindles with his high school sweetheart from 60 years ago and proposes,” in one video.
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This and the follow-up video show McMeekin approaching his sweetheart Gambell, who is seated in a chair. McMeekin kneels and tells her, “You are the most incredible person I have ever met.” It doesn’t take long for Gambell to grow tearful and McMeekin isn’t far behind as he continues, “Your beauty both inside and out has always captivated me.”
He then says, “Will you, Nancy, do me the honor of being my soulmate in life, my partner in every sense of the word?”
A love story for the ages
The love story between Gambell and McMeekin begins at their high school in Quincy, California. The two entered the pining stage before going on a few dates. Sadly, whatever might have come immediately from that didn’t get a chance to flourish because the two went to different colleges and were unable to maintain their relationship. The two married others and life carried on.
Until, that is, their high school’s 50-year reunion brought them back together. At the time, the two were still married to others but their easy chemistry immediately came to life once again. The same happened for their 60th reunion, by which time both were single.
Gambell told McMeekin that she “was really looking forward” to seeing the doctor again. So, when Gambell head from her home in California to Tampa, she was met with McMeekin at the airport, armed with a necklace containing both their birthstones and a proposal. Did she say yes?
Let’s just say the two are already planning their wedding, based in California, and are shopping for rings. Meanwhile, their story has touched millions – including those who saw the proposal firsthand. Check out the fuller video below to see one woman nodding appreciatively as she watches and a man red in the face from crying. It’s easy to understand the rush of emotions from everyone.
@jobuns_ Replying to @jjayyciee the proposal 🥹😭😭