Written in Mary Ann’s perspective 😊 We were both searching for that special connection…Jeff was in Florida, I was in New York… How can a long distance relationship work? He reached out to me on OurTime.com with the tag line “So pretty, but so far away.” The message went unanswered for a few days…then, I thought “why not”…..but, Florida is the LAST place I want to live!” So, I responded…it didn’t take but a NY minute for him to answer back….some told us to be careful, many thought we were crazy….the rest is history! That was enough to spur phone calls…4-5 hour conversations full of stories (and he has a LOT of stories), laughter and, yes, tears. We have both been through heart wrenching times and shared our stories, what we were interested in, where we’re from, who we are. Soon, we started planning our first meeting…he said “you’re so far away”, while I’m thinking “you’re the one that picked me out of the sea of other fish!” But, my response was “you’re only two and a half hours by plane. Sanford to Elmira! Easy peasie!!” The wheels started turning…and plans were starting to take shape…a new life had begun!. I had accepted the role of Sister Robert Anne, in the Nunsense Mega Musical with Norwich Theater in Norwich, NY, where I was living. I was pegged be the mischievous nun. (Imagine that!) He wanted to come see our productions….but, I was really struggling to learn the part…..this was my first acting gig…and I had a lot to learn…..script, songs (solos), choreography and tap dance!! I was apprehensive to have him come up at that time…we hadn’t met. and I didn’t want to make a fool of myself. But, Jeff being Jeff, he insisted!! I caved in. His plane arrived in Elmira the morning of July 23, 2025. Love at first sight!! He is originally from the Detroit, Michigan area, but, turns out, his descendants landed in Dundee, NY…home of Wixson Honey Farm! Just “over the hill” from Norwich, NY. (We discovered early on that we had many connections.) After our initial “hellos and hugs” at the airport, breakfast at Cracker Barrel (because of the lack of anywhere else to dine)…he probably thought I was a real country bumpkin…we headed for Corning Glass, then on to the Wixson Honey Farm, enjoying lunch and each other’s company. The day flew by, (I had rehearsal at 5:00 that evening! and I had to concentrate on my part in Nunsense. I was on the struggle bus!! We had 3 performances. He saw a different one each time….but he was my anchor and helped me through it…what a guy! After Sunday’s performance, the last of 3, he surprised me with an overnight stay at Niagara Falls. What a sweetheart!!! We returned to my home, where he stayed with me the whole week…..and it was difficult to see him leave. I was now juggling Nunsense, work, taking care of my house and…..a long distance relationship. How can this work? We continued to fly back and forth…me to Florida, him to New York. He was always asking when I would retire…to which my response was…”I can’t…..I have a house to take care of”…..his response….”sell your house and move to FL.” Hmmmmmmm…..decisions, decisions. Long story short…I contacted my realtor, listed my house, had a viewing the next morning, a fantastic offer in the afternoon, and retired. Two months later, Jeff and I packed up my house and “relocated” to Florida…. Land of sunshine and gators. He flew to NY to help me…what a guy. Helping me move was a true tell that we could make this work…it was a trying and very emotional time for me. It’s all been a whirlwind since then…..we laugh, we cry in movies, dance to our own music, (literally take ballroom dancing), enjoy sports, music, sing, enjoy dinners, evenings around a little fire and a glass of wine and just enjoy and appreciate each other. We have each found our match! We’re looking forward to you joining us at our wedding. It will be fun, romantic, and a full expression of our love for each other, and for our treasured family and friends!