Man Learns Why Bride Ran Away 50 Years Later

Fell From The Wallet

Janice tried desperately to wipe every tear that was spilling onto her cheeks as she unpacked her mother’s belongings. She thought about her every day, ever since the day she passed away. She missed her so. She found her mother’s wallet and smiled when she saw the baby picture of herself inside. She held it close and remembered how amazing her childhood was. But that was when something suddenly fell from the wallet.

She opened it quickly and felt her stomach drop when she read what was on it. This must be fate, she thought. She knew what she had to do, and she knew she had to do it fast, before it was too late.

Hard Working And Determined

Janice Rude had been hard working and dedicated for her entire life. As she grew up, she watched her father work morning and night to provide for his family. She learned how to be hard working because of him. He owned his own, successful diving board company in Reno, Nevada.

Janice learned that in order to reach her dreams, she would have to work her hardest. She decided that she was meant to pursue a career in biology at Occidental College. She had planned it all out. But she never expected what would happen on one mundane Monday morning.

Tuition Fees

Growing up, her family were not rich, but they were well off. That was why her father was able to pay for half of her tuition fees. But she wasn’t scared of hard work, that was why she decided to get a job at the cafeteria on campus. It was the perfect job, she could work between classes while making enough money to pay the rest of her tuition fee!

It was exhausting, but it made her feel accomplished. Nothing could stop her from reaching her dreams… Except for one visitor.

Love Interests

Janice didn’t allow any distractions to get in her way. She had been doing this for so long now, nothing could get in her way. At this stage in her life, she was already a minority— a woman studying science. Her dad didn’t particularly like her career choice, but he always remained supportive.

Although men were visibly interested in Janice, she never paid them any mind. She was too focus on her career. But there was one handsome face that she couldn’t resist.

Typical Monday Morning

It was a typical Monday morning and Janice was getting herself ready for the start of a new, busy week. She was always early to work, and by the time the first person came in, she was already wearing her apron and hat. She would always smile and say ‘hello’ to every tired, well-rested, sad, or hungover face that passed.

But on this day, one of the passer-byers left her dazed, and it turned her entire world upside down.

Prentiss Wilson

Prentiss Wilson’s family was highly respected. He attended Occidental College and joining the Kappa Sigma fraternity, just like his father had done, years earlier. His feature was prepped and planned before he was even born and his parents pushed him to achieve every goal they set for him.

He studied law and used his charm and likeability to become the fraternity president. Everything was going as planned. His busy days were always fueled by a good breakfast. Now, he never would have guessed that a young woman behind the milk would catch his eye. Janice recognized his face from the paper.

Noble Antics

Everyone around town knew who Prentiss was. He was bold enough that he grabbed everyone on campus’ attention, including Janice’s, who was a sophomore at the time.

Prentiss quit when he learned that one student named Gene Grimsby, was refused at Kapa Sigma because of his race. He left and set up his own independent group. Their first pledge was to bring back Gene Grigsby. Just like everyone else around there, Janice knew all about Prentiss’ noble antics. But his action didn’t impress everyone around him.

Make A Move

For weeks now, Janice and Prentiss had exchanged plenty of glances and smiles between themselves, but the never spoke.

But at the college’s yearly pre-Thanksgiving dinner, Janice was ready to make her move. But when she learned he had gone home early, she decided to do the unexpected.

Long Drive

She decided to drive three hours to Santa Maria just to see him at his home.

She only questioned her decision once she was outside of him front door. But before she could turn around and leave, Prentiss opened the door and was now staring at her.

Happiness

From that very moment, Janice and Prentiss became inseparable. And just a few weeks later, he proposed to her.

For just a moment, everything in both their live were perfect. But someone close to Janice was about to tear their happiness into bits.

He Didn’t Approve

You see Janjce’s father didn’t approve of his daughter’s new relationship. Prentiss wasn’t what he wanted for a son-in-law. No way.

But with their engagement announced in the local paper, it seemed everybody else was rooting for Janice and Prentiss. But Janice’s father was about to give Janice an ultimatum. And it would tear her world upside down.

An Ultimatum

Janice’s father ultimately tore the two lovebirds apart by refusing to pay Janice’s tuition if she didn’t stop seeing Prentiss. The couple was devastated; Prentiss hoped that Janice wouldn’t leave him broken-hearted, but he knew how much her career meant to her.

There had to be something they could do, right? Thankfully, Janice’s mother could see their undeniable love and took out a second mortgage on her home to fund Janice’s tuition. But little did they know not even that was going to save them.

A Hard Decision

Unfortunately, despite Janice’s mother’s efforts, they just weren’t enough. Janice decided to end their whirlwind romance and put her education first. She was heartbroken. And so was Prentiss.

As time went by, their long chats and loved-up relationship, went back to longing and distant stares. They tried to stay friends but the pain was too much. They eventually drifted apart, both marrying other people and settling down. But fate wasn’t done with these two.

Time Goes On

After graduating, Janice took over the family business and Prentiss went on to attend Harvard Law School, eventually becoming a highly respected lawyer. However, Janice never could quite forget her first love.

Nearly 50 years after calling off their engagement, both Janice’s and Prentiss’ mothers passed away in the space of a few months. At the time, they were both newly divorced. They had no idea what was coming.

A Note

Janice was clearing out her late mother’s belongings when she stumbled across her old wallet. She picked it up and looked inside, she found a baby picture of herself and she held it close. She really did miss her mother.

Then just as she was about to shut the wallet and start unloading on the boxes surrounding her, something fell out and landed on her lap. What was it? She picked it up and saw it was a note. Hundreds of questions ran through her mind. She opened it up and started to read it, and she felt sick to her stomach.

It Was Fate

The note was in fact a newspaper clipping from Janice and Prentiss’ engagement. Janice was lost for words. She couldn’t believe her mother would keep this. Maybe it was a sign?

She knew she had to reach out to her first love. After all, her mother loved him, and Janice always felt he was the one that got away. But how would Prentiss react to his former fiancé reaching out? Janice had no idea what was coming.

Reuniting

When Janice reached out to the man whose heart she broke and engagement she called off, she hoped she was forgiven. After all, she didn’t have a choice back then.

Thankfully, Prentiss replied straight away and the two former lovebirds agreed to meet in a restaurant in San Francisco. After decades apart, the two went on their first date since their youth. She was as nervous as the very first time she had taken a leap of faith and shown up randomly at his home. But a question remained—would they hit it off again?

A Very Happy Ending

When the two met up for the first time in 50 years, it was as if no time had passed! Sparks immediately flew between the two. Prentiss wasn’t going to let her get away this time. He got down on one knee and popped the question after six months of dating. Before she had the chance to change her mind, they married on their college campus, Occidental College.

The ceremony was attended by their friends, family, and college classmates. After a lifetime apart, these two finally made it back together. These two really were always destined to be!