She said yes!

[CF Lion]

For those of you that followed my personal story here several years ago, I‘m happy to announce that my long time gf and I got engaged on Friday night!

Five years ago I sought advice from the board on a good dating spot near Doylestown for a first date. This was following the death of my wife the previous year, and I had decided to jump back in the pool. So, five years to the day of that first date, we had dinner at the same restaurant. After a great dinner prearranged with the restaurant, I popped the question and she said yes!

Just wanted to once again say thanks to all still here who allowed me to vent and seek solace through the McAndrew Board during my wife’s illness, offered second time around dating advice, etc. You’ve all been a part of me finding the greatest happiness possible.

 

[razpsu]

Congratulations you poor bastard.

signed

all the married guys!!

 

[Midnighter]

For those of you that followed my personal story here several years ago, I‘m happy to announce that my long time gf and I got engaged on Friday night!

Five years ago I sought advice from the board on a good dating spot near Doylestown for a first date. This was following the death of my wife the previous year, and I had decided to jump back in the pool. So, five years to the day of that first date, we had dinner at the same restaurant. After a great dinner prearranged with the restaurant, I popped the question and she said yes!

Just wanted to once again say thanks to all still here who allowed me to vent and seek solace through the McAndrew Board during my wife’s illness, offered second time around dating advice, etc. You’ve all been a part of me finding the greatest happiness possible.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

happy for you!!

 

[leinbacker]

For those of you that followed my personal story here several years ago, I‘m happy to announce that my long time gf and I got engaged on Friday night!

Five years ago I sought advice from the board on a good dating spot near Doylestown for a first date. This was following the death of my wife the previous year, and I had decided to jump back in the pool. So, five years to the day of that first date, we had dinner at the same restaurant. After a great dinner prearranged with the restaurant, I popped the question and she said yes!

Just wanted to once again say thanks to all still here who allowed me to vent and seek solace through the McAndrew Board during my wife’s illness, offered second time around dating advice, etc. You’ve all been a part of me finding the greatest happiness possible.

when you are on this board, and she asks what you are doing, just tell her you’re looking at “todays weather report”.

 

[Ghost of OM]

Congrats CF. That’s a great story.

 

[lionJC]

To what?

 

[TiogaLion]

Flag!

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

Congrats... You only get married two or three times in your life so you need make each one count

 

[s1uggo72]

Flag!


View attachment 273415

Pretty sure G/F wives etc are exempt from that rule

 

[Mrdibbs]

CF Lion

Congratulations!

I am very happy for you.

Better start dropping hints so we can somehow crash the wedding.

 

[CF Lion]

Pretty sure G/F wives etc are exempt from that rule

Let’s just say that I out-kicked my coverage and leave it at that.

 

[rudedude]

Is Gunsie the best man??

 

[Tom_PSU]

I hope that you adhered to these three common sense rules regarding marriage.
1. She must have at least $10 million in liquid assets.
2. She must execute a new Will naming you as the sole beneficiary
3. She must produce four certified documents from medical personnel that she has only six months to live.
Anyway congratulations Jim.

 

[Relayer]

For those of you that followed my personal story here several years ago, I‘m happy to announce that my long time gf and I got engaged on Friday night!

Five years ago I sought advice from the board on a good dating spot near Doylestown for a first date. This was following the death of my wife the previous year, and I had decided to jump back in the pool. So, five years to the day of that first date, we had dinner at the same restaurant. After a great dinner prearranged with the restaurant, I popped the question and she said yes!

Just wanted to once again say thanks to all still here who allowed me to vent and seek solace through the McAndrew Board during my wife’s illness, offered second time around dating advice, etc. You’ve all been a part of me finding the greatest happiness possible.

Congrats, I remember your thread. Is the restaurant you're referring to Honey?

 

[CF Lion]

Congrats, I remember your thread. Is the restaurant you're referring to Honey?

No, Slate Bleu. We’ve also been to Honey. Like them both.

 

[psuro]

Congrats. Well done.

 

[nittanyfan333]

 

[BobPSU92]

I hope that you adhered to these three common sense rules regarding marriage.
1. She must have at least $10 million in liquid assets.
2. She must execute a new Will naming you as the sole beneficiary
3. She must produce four certified documents from medical personnel that she has only six months to live.
Anyway congratulations Jim.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Flag!


View attachment 273415

Pretty sure G/F wives etc are exempt from that rule

@s1uggo72 is correct. Wives, GFs, significant others, and family members are excluded from the board rule.

And FWIW, based on a few things he's posted over the past 5 years, we can presume that @CF Lion's fiancee is a quite cute, but nothing in his OP in this thread would have warranted a flag, even if it was about a female that wasn't excluded, as he made no comment or claims about her looks in the post.

 

[TiogaLion]

@s1uggo72 is correct. Wives, GFs, significant others, and family members are excluded from the board rule.

And FWIW, based on a few things he's posted over the past 5 years, we can presume that @CF Lion's fiancee is a quite cute, but nothing in his OP in this thread would have warranted a flag, even if it was about a female that wasn't excluded, as he made no comment or claims about her looks in the post.

I know the rule, but attempted to goad him into posting a pic anyway.

 

[psuro]

I know the rule, but attempted to goad him into posting a pic anyway.

Expect a Certified Letter from the Committee on Infractions. .

 

[Bwifan]

For those of you that followed my personal story here several years ago, I‘m happy to announce that my long time gf and I got engaged on Friday night!

Five years ago I sought advice from the board on a good dating spot near Doylestown for a first date. This was following the death of my wife the previous year, and I had decided to jump back in the pool. So, five years to the day of that first date, we had dinner at the same restaurant. After a great dinner prearranged with the restaurant, I popped the question and she said yes!

Just wanted to once again say thanks to all still here who allowed me to vent and seek solace through the McAndrew Board during my wife’s illness, offered second time around dating advice, etc. You’ve all been a part of me finding the greatest happiness possible.

As a born and raised in Doylestown fella just want to extend best wishes and congratulations to you both! Well Done

 

[Tom McAndrew]

@CF Lion -- I'm happy for the two of you.

You've been very public about your story, which I think touched many of us over the years.

The health issues that your late wife -- your college sweetheart at PSU -- encountered still pains me to think about. The was so, so, so unfair to her, to your children, and to you. But as we all learn as we age, life is, unfortunately, not always fair.

You've done a great job of raising your kids since that painful event, while also keeping things together in your life. And in time, you stepped back into the dating scene, and it seems that you've found a good one. (Or, she's found a good one.)

I presume that your daughter has given her approval. I believe your son is in college -- I hope he's onboard with this as well.

I'm curious how this will impact where you live. If I recall correctly, the last update you gave us was that you were keeping the house in CF, but taking a job in Florida where you were renting a place to live a part of each month. And yet, the GF, or now the fiancee, was living in NJ. Which does cause me to wonder where the two of you will call home once you tie the knot. (And if you don't want to answer that publicly, that's fine. Shoot me a PM.)

I've always hoped that after what you had been through, that you would attain a high level of happiness in your life. Your daughter got married, I believe your son is in college, and now you're going to get married. Here's hoping that the two of you have a happy and healthy life together, and a wonderful marriage. You certainly deserve as much.

Don't be a stranger, and perhaps you'll turn the fiancee into a PSU fan!

 

[LafayetteBear]

Congratulations, CF. Well done, and best wishes to you both!

 

[fairgambit]

 

[Manofsteel200]

Congrats! I married a Doylestown girl. Best 26 years of my life! (and counting)

 

[91Joe95]

For those of you that followed my personal story here several years ago, I‘m happy to announce that my long time gf and I got engaged on Friday night!

Five years ago I sought advice from the board on a good dating spot near Doylestown for a first date. This was following the death of my wife the previous year, and I had decided to jump back in the pool. So, five years to the day of that first date, we had dinner at the same restaurant. After a great dinner prearranged with the restaurant, I popped the question and she said yes!

Just wanted to once again say thanks to all still here who allowed me to vent and seek solace through the McAndrew Board during my wife’s illness, offered second time around dating advice, etc. You’ve all been a part of me finding the greatest happiness possible.

I don't know why this song popped into my head, but it did. Congratulations on the fantastic news!

 

[marshall23]

For those of you that followed my personal story here several years ago, I‘m happy to announce that my long time gf and I got engaged on Friday night!

Five years ago I sought advice from the board on a good dating spot near Doylestown for a first date. This was following the death of my wife the previous year, and I had decided to jump back in the pool. So, five years to the day of that first date, we had dinner at the same restaurant. After a great dinner prearranged with the restaurant, I popped the question and she said yes!

Just wanted to once again say thanks to all still here who allowed me to vent and seek solace through the McAndrew Board during my wife’s illness, offered second time around dating advice, etc. You’ve all been a part of me finding the greatest happiness possible.

So happy to hear you have another chance for happiness. I recall the journey and I continue on that path......you are so fortunate to have found someone. Congratulations..

 

[LionJim]

So happy to hear you have another chance for happiness. I recall the journey and I continue on that path......you are so fortunate to have found someone. Congratulations..

My dad was widowed twice. He never made any bones about my mother being his one true love, but he found happiness in spite of all his years of loneliness and pain. I owe it all to him.

 

[marshall23]

My dad was widowed twice. He never made any bones about my mother being his one true love, but he found happiness. I was thinking of him this morning, actually, thinking of his loneliness and pain. I owe it all to him.

Well I can tell you this ( after 4808 days since my wife passed). I still ache for her. I haven't had that needed and familiar hug in so long. There are times when I don't think I can't make it through another day.
So, everyone greaves differently. For me, I suppose I could have done more to "help" myself. But when home plate......the center of your world is taken away......everything else seems so trite and insignificant.
Sometimes I feel guilty when I think of people that have suffered loss after loss....like a child taken in a school shooting etc.
I had my shot. I married the only girl I ever cared about.....my homecoming queen......and had a career doing all I ever wanted to do. But I've been pretty much "running in place" for more than 13 years.
My advice? If you have someone.....go tell her right this minute that in spite of all the little **** that gets in our way.....that she means more to you than she will ever know.

 

[LionJim]

Well I can tell you this ( after 4808 days since my wife passed). I still ache for her. I haven't had that needed and familiar hug in so long. There are times when I don't think I can't make it through another day.
So, everyone greaves differently. For me, I suppose I could have done more to "help" myself. But when home plate......the center of your world is taken away......everything else seems so trite and insignificant.
Sometimes I feel guilty when I think of people that have suffered loss after loss....like a child taken in a school shooting etc.
I had my shot. I married the only girl I ever cared about.....my homecoming queen......and had a career doing all I ever wanted to do. But I've been pretty much "running in place" for more than 13 years.
My advice? If you have someone.....go tell her right this minute that in spite of all the little **** that gets in our way.....that she means more to you than she will ever know.

Yeats, on moving on from his one true love, from “His Memories:”

The women take so little stock
In what I do or say
They’d sooner leave their cosseting
To hear a jackass bray;
My arms are like the twisted thorn
And yet there beauty lay.

 

[marshall23]

Yeats, on moving on from his one true love, from “His Memories:”

The women take so little stock
In what I do or say
They’d sooner leave their cosseting
To hear a jackass bray;
My arms are like the twisted thorn
And yet there beauty lay.

"This hole in my heart is in the shape of you."
"No one else can fit it."
"Why would I want them to?" Jeanette Winterson

During special occasions and holidays:
"The holiest of all holidays are those kept by
ourselves in silence and apart.
The secret anniversaries of the heart." HW Longfellow

 

[fairgambit]

"If I should live forever, and all my dreams come true, my memories of love will be of you."
John Denver

 

[CF Lion]

@CF Lion -- I'm happy for the two of you.

You've been very public about your story, which I think touched many of us over the years.

The health issues that your late wife -- your college sweetheart at PSU -- encountered still pains me to think about. The was so, so, so unfair to her, to your children, and to you. But as we all learn as we age, life is, unfortunately, not always fair.

You've done a great job of raising your kids since that painful event, while also keeping things together in your life. And in time, you stepped back into the dating scene, and it seems that you've found a good one. (Or, she's found a good one.)

I presume that your daughter has given her approval. I believe your son is in college -- I hope he's onboard with this as well.

I'm curious how this will impact where you live. If I recall correctly, the last update you gave us was that you were keeping the house in CF, but taking a job in Florida where you were renting a place to live a part of each month. And yet, the GF, or now the fiancee, was living in NJ. Which does cause me to wonder where the two of you will call home once you tie the knot. (And if you don't want to answer that publicly, that's fine. Shoot me a PM.)

I've always hoped that after what you had been through, that you would attain a high level of happiness in your life. Your daughter got married, I believe your son is in college, and now you're going to get married. Here's hoping that the two of you have a happy and healthy life together, and a wonderful marriage. You certainly deserve as much.

Don't be a stranger, and perhaps you'll turn the fiancee into a PSU fan!

Thanks for the kind words Tom. My two kids are both fully on board and my fiance's two kids are as well. I think the fact that the two of us are both widowed has made that easier for them. Neither of us caused or are in anyway responsible for our circumstances -- that has made the "acceptance" part of this so much easier. The kids all want us to be happy, and they all get along too.

We have not worked out the details or timelines, but ultimately I will sell my place in CF and move to NJ. My place is much older and more maintenance intensive. Also, her parents are both still living, are close by and she wants to remain near them. I really love southern Chester County and will miss living here, but my daughter has a house here so I'll be back often. I'm not thrilled that I will be moving to a higher tax state, but it is what it is.

I am still working in FL and will continue to commute back and forth. I really don't see us moving there, but perhaps have a second place down there and eventually become snowbirds. The nature of my job makes it easy to work remotely, I just need to be close to an airport to get to the office or client sites when needed.

My fiancee went to a very small school so really has no allegiance to any college sports teams other than Virginia Tech, where her son just graduated from, and now, Penn State. She really wants to experience a White Out. She is a Giants fan, so it worked out that I like black and gold more than midnight green.

I'll continue to be a regular and will post future significant life events. It's what I do!

Thanks for the support over the years!

 

[psuro]

Thanks for the kind words Tom. My two kids are both fully on board and my fiance's two kids are as well. I think the fact that the two of us are both widowed has made that easier for them. Neither of us caused or are in anyway responsible for our circumstances -- that has made the "acceptance" part of this so much easier. The kids all want us to be happy, and they all get along too.

We have not worked out the details or timelines, but ultimately I will sell my place in CF and move to NJ. My place is much older and more maintenance intensive. Also, her parents are both still living, are close by and she wants to remain near them. I really love southern Chester County and will miss living here, but my daughter has a house here so I'll be back often. I'm not thrilled that I will be moving to a higher tax state, but it is what it is.

I am still working in FL and will continue to commute back and forth. I really don't see us moving there, but perhaps have a second place down there and eventually become snowbirds. The nature of my job makes it easy to work remotely, I just need to be close to an airport to get to the office or client sites when needed.

My fiancee went to a very small school so really has no allegiance to any college sports teams other than Virginia Tech, where her son just graduated from, and now, Penn State. She really wants to experience a White Out. She is a Giants fan, so it worked out that I like black and gold more than midnight green.

I'll continue to be a regular and will post future significant life events. It's what I do!

Thanks for the support over the years!

आपको एक साथ कई साल मुबारक हो

 

[CF Lion]

Well I can tell you this ( after 4808 days since my wife passed). I still ache for her. I haven't had that needed and familiar hug in so long. There are times when I don't think I can't make it through another day.
So, everyone greaves differently. For me, I suppose I could have done more to "help" myself. But when home plate......the center of your world is taken away......everything else seems so trite and insignificant.
Sometimes I feel guilty when I think of people that have suffered loss after loss....like a child taken in a school shooting etc.
I had my shot. I married the only girl I ever cared about.....my homecoming queen......and had a career doing all I ever wanted to do. But I've been pretty much "running in place" for more than 13 years.
My advice? If you have someone.....go tell her right this minute that in spite of all the little **** that gets in our way.....that she means more to you than she will ever know.

Makes me sad to read this marshall, as I felt much like this for a year following my wife's death.

My father passed the following year at age 95, and one of the last things he told me was (sic) "men are better when they have a good woman and women are better when they have a good man. You were really lucky to have a good woman in your life. That doesn't mean you can't have a second one". I know that is not a very modern sentiment, but it aligned with what my wife always told me....that if she passed away she would want me to find someone else that would make me happy. We made that pact with each other.

My mom passed at age 70, not even a year after my parent's 50th anniversary. My father ended up getting remarried at age 79 and was with his second wife for 16 years until his death at age 95. My dad was very lonely following my mom's death, and frankly was lost. He was very self sufficient but what he needed was companionship and intimacy. I've learned that as much as I thought I was different from him, my dad and I are very much alike, at least in that regard.

 

[psu31trap]

Way to go. Congrats!