Lyndsay and Don met over a decade ago, in 2013, but back then, they were unaware of how beautifully their lives would transform with each other’s presence. July was the month of transformation and new beginnings, when two souls meant for each other finally met after spending more than half of their lives together. At that age, love was the last thing they’d think about, but why not give it a chance when life offers it to you?
Lyndsay was only twenty when she met fifty-one-year-old Don. Her dad had been diagnosed with cancer, and she shifted along with her mom to take care of him. Don was going through a challenging phase in that phase of life, as the divorce process occurred between the couple. They met at a fundraiser, and Lyndsay immediately noticed how bright Don smiles. She had not seen such a pure smile in a while! So, a conversation had to be initiated. As they went into the talking stage, with time, the realization that their b d wa spsecial and how similar their personalities were, was unreal. Not just this, they shared a tragic date. Something that changed their lives forever, happened on the same date, i.e., 11th May.
On May 11, 2003, Lyndsay lost her daughter Riley, who was stillborn at 20 weeks. On May 11, 2008, Don lost his son Zack in a drunk driving accident. Both losses happened on Mother’s Day. The moment this information was shared, it felt like it was all a game of fate they had met. The grief formed a kind of bond no other emotion could. Their hearts screamed of how they were meant for each other, to heal the pieces no one ever cared about, and to make each other go through the hardest days. Days on which getting out of bed feels like a task.
Neither was searching for romance, but friendship grew into something more. Don even asked Lyndsay’s young daughter, Alivia, if it was okay to date her mom. Their differences became strengths: He was adventurous and spontaneous, and she was more cautious and structured. He kept her young, and she kept him grounded.
In 2014, they moved to Don’s hometown. Though neither had planned to remarry, Don proposed unexpectedly on Valentine’s weekend in 2015. Lyndsay, who, too, had been madly falling for Don, did not think twice before saying yes. She was shocked as she did not see it coming; however, the joy that came with it was immeasurable. It was the 4th of June, the day Zack was born, on which they’d have their big day!
Who knew the heartbreaks would not stop with the news of marriage? Not long after, the condition of Lyndsay’s father worsened, and the cancer had spread aggressively to various organs in her body. The couple decided to extend the wedding date; however, Lyndsay’s father passed away on 15th October, leaving her with another major heartache. One that she could probably never recover from. Don became her rock, knowing the pain of losing a parent. Soon after, Don’s brother-in-law, his chosen best man, was also diagnosed with brain cancer and later died. The wedding was expected later because of the death and the tough time Lyndsay was going through.
However, all this time, the couple clung to teaching each other on the good and bad days, and it was no less than a reassurance of why they were meant for each other. Even when Lyndsya had to go through a stroke, one that could be fatal, and was later diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, the couple was inseparable. The commitment was unreal; unlike today’s relationships, they knew exactly what they were doing!
Their relationship, however, faced outside criticism. Some judged their 23-year age gap, calling Don her “sugar daddy” or dismissing their love as temporary. At times, the pressure caused breakups. But each time, they found their way back, stronger than before. Over time, even skeptics began to accept their bond, including Don’s ex-wife, who is now invited to their wedding.
“Age is relative,” Lyndsay says, and she is clear about the three things she prioritizes in life: love, respect, and support. If you have all three, you’re truly a lucky one. Finally, the couple got married in November 2018, and the day was no less than a dream as two pillars of support became one forever. How lovely it is to see them acknowledge that they complete each other.
