A Couple from the 1970s, Separated Because of Society, Finally Meets Again & Gets Married

This beautiful story of true love is from the 1940s and got its happy ending recently. It really shows and teaches how true love is unstoppable regardless of the hardships and difficulties of life. It’s about Mark Bethel & Penny Umbers – they found each other in the 1940s, lost each other, then found each other again decades later and got married.

Love at First Sight

During the 1940s, Mark & Penny were studying at a school in Nottingham, England. They were both in their teens, and they instantly attracted each other – falling deeply in love, a love that would last a lifetime for both of them. Their relationship flourished; they were happy together.

Mark, originally from the Bahamas, traveled back home and the two still kept in touch through love letters – keeping their love and romance alive and well. They kept their relationship alive through those love letters for years.

When they both grew up to attend universities, Mark went to a college in London, and Penny was studying nearby. Things were turning out great for the couple; they were together again. But, destiny and fate had something else in store for them.

A Sudden Departure

One day, Mark abruptly ended the relationship without any reasons or explanations. Penny felt broken. While speaking to Birmingham Mail, Penny spoke about how much Mark meant to her:

“He was everything to me, he made me feel so loved, and so to not see or hear from him was unbelievable.”

A heartbroken and confused Penny tried to move on with her life. She tried to get herself in a relationship, but it didn’t end well for her because true love wasn’t there. Over on Mark’s side, he got married twice, and both of his marriages ended with divorce.

The Truth Comes to Light

Having faith in his true feelings for Penny, Mark started to look for Penny online. Now, in a world where technology existed, it was easier for him to find the love of his life again. He found her on Facebook, and the two started talking again; that’s when he finally opened up about the reason why he left without any explanations.

He told Penny what happened back when they were together; Penny’s father spoke to Mark and told him to back off. According to Birmingham Mail, Penny said:

“He had been talking to my father in the garden and I remember thinking they had so much in common because they both liked sports. But in actual fact, my father had said to him ‘you’ve had your fun, now move on boy.’ It absolutely shattered him, he was such a sweet lovely boy and he was really in love with me.”

“I didn’t realise but my father went to Mark’s university and called him out of a lecture into the vice principal’s office,”

“They had told him he should not be having a relationship with a white girl. He couldn’t have survived in London without his scholarship and he would have had to have gone back to the Bahamas with no degree and his parents saying ‘told you so’.

Mark was just starting off in life, and he was threatened time and again by Penny’s father – all because of the color of his skin. Penny continued:

“My father told him he knew people in high places and would have his scholarship revoked if he didn’t stop seeing me and that I must know nothing about this,”

Just like Penny, Mark was shattered because of their breakup. He also had to keep it all to himself, carrying the guilt of the love of your life not knowing the reason why you left. He spoke about how difficult it was for him:

“I didn’t have much power. I was 3,000 miles from home in a foreign country. I was totally dependent on my scholarship. I had to make the hardest decision of my life and I had to make it in isolation. I had no support mechanism, no friends or family, I couldn’t explain to her why I just wanted it to end. It was heartbreaking.”

While speaking about finding Penny online, Mark said:

“Thirty-nine years on, I wasn’t sure if it was her. I sent her repeated messages but she wasn’t really a Facebook user so it was a couple of months before she saw it. I just said ‘Is this Penny?’ and then it was! I felt nervous, apprehensive, happy, and giddy.”

True Love Will Always Stay Strong

Mark & Penny met again in the Bahamas in 2021 – finally giving each other the love they deserve.

Penny spoke about how magical it was to meet the love of her life again, even if it took a couple of decades:

“I’ve never loved anyone the way I love Mark,”

“I feel like a whole new person.”

“My confidence has come back. I had a defeatist attitude whereas I stand up tall now knowing he did love me after all. He used to send me love letters, poems and paintings, it was so romantic. It was so difficult to think the man I loved didn’t love me.”

An emotional and happy Mark talked about how it felt to meet Penny again:

“When we saw each other for the first time, I believe I shed a tear or two,”

“I couldn’t believe she was here in my country in my arms.”

“Some things are meant to be, but in God’s time. The point we met was obviously not our time.”

While Penny, speaking about their incredible reunion, said:

“I’d not seen him since we were 19 and 20 but it was amazing, it was as if we’d only been apart for a year.

“There was that feeling of reuniting but it was like we hadn’t changed one iota. It wasn’t strange or uncomfortable. He held my hand and we kissed through our masks.”

They’re both in their 60s now and very much in love! Mark & Penny have such an amazingly inspirational story – a true testament to true love and how to never give up on it! We wish the two a happy life ahead!

To read their full story and watch a sweet video of their journey, visit Birmingham Mail.

Share Your Thoughts

What are your thoughts on this incredible true love story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Sources:

Birmingham Mail

Images & Featured Image Credits: Birmingham Mail