The Romance Planner interviewed Warren Reiter; last year he became a widower at 89 years old.

Warren lost his life long partner of 62 years, but surprisingly he was not as heartbroken as I thought he would be. Actually Warren took great pleasure and pride showing pictures, letters and other memorabilia dear to both him and his wife.

We sat down to discuss the really important decisions that helped to keep his love alive all those years. These are exerts from that conversation:

RP – Warren please accept my condolences for the loss of your wife, I know it must be heart breaking for you after so many years together?

Warren – Thank you, but at the end she was not in the best of health so in a way it’s some relief. But I miss her to no end.

RP – I’d like to set the tone of our conversation by asking you what does true love mean to you?

Warren – (He took a deep breath and thought for a moment) Love isn’t as glamorous as it’s made out to be, for me and Jill it was the proof – what’s left after you go through life’s tough challenges. Earlier on in our relationship, I cheated on her and she found out and still took me back; never did that again. In the 60’s when I went off to war and she was home; I thought for sure I’d have lost her but no she was rock solid more fervent and resolute that I was. For all the friends and family I have had in life, I had more fun with Jill.

RP – Would you say you’re a romantic person?

Warren – I’d say so, but not in an extravagant way, see we grew up living off very little and so little things made us happy.

RP – Like what?

Warren – You know when I was away from her I would write long letters and she would do the same, just telling her how I felt about her. Because I was always busy working long hours with what little time I had I’d be in the kitchen with my apron and chef hat and I’d cook the meals she likes. Or if I know she had a bad day I would stop and get flowers, when I get home I would lift her off her feet and kiss her, you know really kiss her, even when we were old people!

RP – Warren was their times when either of you became disinterested in each other?

Warren – There were times when I was tempted, by other females and I am sure she had the same challenges, but when you’re committed to someone, you have to dig deep to keep it together. Besides, I told you we’re always laughing and joking, we were like best friends.

RP – Will you ever remarry?

Warren – Don’t think so, I lost my soulmate, besides I’m too old.

RP – How did you meet Jill?

Warren – We worked together at a post office in our home town, I knew her in high school, but she was miss popular, you know wouldn’t talk to me, but I knew I’d get her someday. Well we all at the post office would go bowling and even though I hated bowling I tagged along so I could spend time with her.

RP – You have pictures of your nieces and nephews but no children of your own, when was that decision made?

Warren – God made that decision for us, we just couldn’t have babies, but we sure tried.

RP – Did that hurt your relationship?

Warren – It hurt for years, I can admit that but we got over it. After those tough years we made up for it by traveling and doing crazy things like skinny dipping on a beach in Barbados in our 60’s.

RP – What advice would you give to today’s young people who are even now falling in love?

Warren – Don’t fall in love stand in love, first spend enough time courting each other, I would even say live together for a while. Look beyond the outward appearance and find the heart, you must be compatible, but not completely so. There has to be differentiation variety is the spice of life, she can learn from you and you from her. Lastly give God the glory I always prayed for our relationship, I ask for the strength to go on.