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15. The Trials of Dating
Dating in high school is hard. Not only are most teens at a socially awkward stage, but also finding love is like searching for a needle in the proverbial haystack. So imagine you have the perfect date, you really hit it off and then you NEVER hear from the guy again. Talk about a huge hit to your ego. Unfortunately for one high school student, her perfect date would turn into a three-decade long mystery.
14. Where Did He Go?
Karen Lynch had thought she hit it off with her date Rick Hayward while on their first date. The couple went bowling and there were no awkward moments the entire night. According to Karen, Rick gave her that butterfly-feeling most girls dream of. So, you can imagine her surprise when Rick dropped her off at home and she never heard from him again.
13. No Phone Call
It was the spring of 1970 in Pennsylvania when Karen and Ricky had their one and only date. A time where social media didn’t exist and the only form of communication was a landline telephone, making it super easy for someone to fly under the radar. Unfortunately, this left Karen in a very uncomfortable and confusing situation. What had she done wrong that caused Ricky to never call her again?
12. Going Separately
Sadly, the answer to that question would take 33 years to be revealed. Time went on as it always does, and both Karen and Ricky went their separate ways. Eventually, both would marry and have kids, living out their lives without a real thought to that doomed date from so long ago.
11. A Twist of Fate
In 2010, both Ricky and Karen divorced their respective partners in a strange twist of fate. Could it be possible that the universe had other plans for them after all of these years?
10. Reconnected through Social Media
One day, Karen decided to search for Ricky on the popular social media platform, Facebook with the hopes of reconnecting. However, what she truly wanted to know was why he had never called her after their first date. The two started to have conversations via Facebook and soon after, Karen finally received a call from Ricky.
9. What Could Have Been?
Ricky admitted in an interview to Rachael Ray in early 2017, “When I saw Karen on Facebook again I started thinking of maybe what could have been. I finally got up the courage to ask her out on a second date 33 years later.”
8. Introvert Problems
According to Ricky, the reason he never called Karen was due to being incredibly shy. In fact, he thought the date was wonderful and really wanted to pick up the phone and ask her out again; however, despite several attempts he couldn’t bring himself to do it. At least we know Ricky is a good guy and wasn’t trying to break poor Karen’s heart on purpose.
7. Finally…a Second Date
Thankfully, both Karen and Ricky were finally able to go on that second date. And from that date love began to bloom. The universe definitely brought these two together after all these years. Apparently, they were fated to be together all along.
6. A Jewelry Store Proposal
After several dates, Ricky knew he wanted to marry Karen. While out hopping one day at a jewelry store, Ricky asked the store clerk to have her try on some rings. When Karen put on one she liked, Ricky asked her to marry him. After all these years…would Karen finally say ‘yes’ to a second chance at happiness?
5. A YES Three Decades in the Making
Of course, Karen said YES! According to Karen, “Rick is an incredible person. He’s a gentleman. Best of all, he’s my best friend. He just is everything that I was looking for and some of the things I didn’t even know I was looking for.”
4. A Dream Dress
Karen and Ricky’s story was picked up by media outlets almost immediately and went viral. Before Karen could even make it to a cake tasting, she was flown to New York to shop for her dream dress. However, there was another surprise that was about to make Karen’s day.
3. The Wedding of Her Dreams
Ricky had heard from celebrity chef, Rachael Ray who wanted to bring the couple on the show and host their wedding live on the air. To say Karen was blown away would be an understatement. Karen agreed to the arrangement, but her best friend Dorie Perdie had to be in attendance. Thankfully, that request wasn’t going to be a problem.
2. The Honeymoon of All Honeymoons
The wedding the next day was a beautiful and emotional moment for Ricky and Karen. After 33 years, they finally were with the person they were always meant to be with. Rachael Ray also dropped another surprise, revealing they were going on an all-expenses paid honeymoon to a resort in Mexico!
1. Don’t Give Up On Love
The story of Karen and Ricky is a love story for the ages. Despite time being against them and two failed marriages, they still were able to find love against all odds. Remember, age is just a number and you’re NEVER too old for love!
Brittany
Silvia
