High School Sweethearts Rediscover Love After Over 70 Years Apart
By JamieFlower
Bill Hassinger and Joanne Blakkan's love story began over 70 years ago during their high school days in 1940s Michigan. Bill, captivated by Joanne's charm and independence — she was older, drove a car, and was a majorette — fell head over heels for her. Their teenage romance was the talk of the town, with even a trip to the principal's office for sneaking kisses on the bus. However, their love took a turn when Joanne graduated ahead of Bill and headed to Michigan State college while he remained in high school. They parted ways, eventually marrying other people and starting families of their own. Neither of them imagined they would ever cross paths again.
But it seems that fate had other plans. In 2021, a now 92-year-old Joanne and her daughter, Linda, were on a mission to look up old classmates for a 73rd reunion. During their search, Linda asked about her mom’s high school boyfriend.
With just a bit of searching, they found that Bill, who is 90 years old, lived about 80 miles away. They also learned that his wife had died the year before. Joanne understands all too well the pain of losing a spouse — she lost her husband in 1989 and hadn’t remarried since.
Thinking it’d be fun to catch up, Joanne wrote him a letter. They met for lunch and, just like that, their feelings for each other came back like they had never even left.
High School Sweethearts Reconnect After Decades
“I had lived alone all this time, and I certainly wasn’t looking for love or a man,” Joanne says. “I was content. But he was always in the back of my mind. I loved that young boy.”
Now, this sweet couple makes sure to spend every weekend together. You’ll often find them playing games (cribbage, gin, puzzles), cuddling, and walking. It doesn’t really matter what they do, though, as long as they’re together.
“Walking is just a medium to get from one place to another and I don’t necessarily have to walk every day to remember how to do it,” Bill explains. “But I walk because she likes to do it and I like being with her.”
This adorable couple has become quite popular where they live, earning themselves free lunches from strangers “because they think we are cute,” as Joanne says.
Now that they’re back together, Bill and Joanne are thinking of what their future will look like, whether that be moving into a house together or a retirement home. Either way, you’re sure to find them together, thick as thieves once more.
“No one knows how much time you have,” Joanne says. “Both of us are in reasonably good health for our age and mentally alert. So we want to enjoy our time here.”
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