This story will challenge your assumptions about soul mates, age and passionate love.

It’s the true story of Cynthia Rigg. She was 86 years old when she shared her life’s love story:

When she was eighteen, shortly after WW2, she attended a summer biology camp and spent 4 months sorting plankton in a lab with a bunch of young men. Being one of only a few girls, these young boys continually pranked her, to get her attention. The much older teacher (then 28 years old) was protective of her, and made sure she felt safe and encouraged. To pass the time, they would converse in code on lab paper towels. She lost touch with him after the camp.

She later married and was married 25 years to a successful but cruel man. After that marriage ended, she swore off men for life.

Cynthia set up a full and comfortable life in Martha’s Vineyard. She runs writers groups and has lots of friends and activities that keep her busy and fulfilled.

But where’s the love story you ask?

Well, when she was 81, she sat on her porch wondering what ever happened to that kind teacher she met all those years ago? He’d now be 91 years old. Curious, she googled him. And found nothing.

Exactly two weeks later, she received a package. Upon opening it, she couldn’t believe her eyes! Enclosed was a collection of paper towels with her codes on them. In code, attached to the papers was the message, “I have never forgotten you, or stopped loving you.” He had held onto these paper towels for 62 years.

After some deliberation she contacted him, and so began many weeks of calls and correspondence. Months later, she met with him. And shortly after, he moved to her home in Martha’s Vineyard.

Knowing they did not have much time, they made the most of every day. He wrote her love notes and left them all over the house. He kissed her – at the butchers while in line for low-salt pastrami, at the local cafe while drinking a pot of tea, in the local park while at a picnic with friends. Later, she realised he did this so she would have fond memories of him in all her regular places.

“I have never forgotten you, or stopped loving you.”

They had five blissful years together before Howie passed away. “They were the happiest years of my life,” she says.

Deep joy, love, affection and passion is available to all of us. You might not need or seek it, but the world has a funny way of reminding you that you are deserving of it. Whether you find it in the surprising gift of the joy of your own company (which is a whole other blog post I must share with you), or the love of dear friends and family, or a passionate love affair, then stay open and engaged, and the world rewards you.