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This interracial couple reunited after 42 years of a painful break-up

Posted by James, 04 Nov

Jeanne Gustavson (68) spontaneously booked a trip to Chicago last summer to visit her first love Steve Watts - whom she had not seen in 42 years. The last time they spoke was in 1979. That was because Gustavson's family (White) forbade her to see Watts, who is Black. They believed Blacks and Whites don't belong together.

Like any story of forbidden love, they defied the rule and dated secretly. Watts says he fell head over heels the first time he laid eyes on Gustavson. Gustavson wasn't ready to let go of him. Theirs was an instant connection. They were inseparable - their first true love.

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Unfortunately, when her family found out that they were dating, things got complicated. She recalls once when she mentioned to her mom that one of the people attending a pool party she was planning to host at their home for the German Club members, her mom went ballistic. Everyone, even her extended family got involved, discouraging her to stop seeing Watts.

After years of dating secretly, they could no longer continue hiding their relationship. They caved under the pressure and broke up. It had become increasingly difficult to spend time together as they were living on opposite sides of the city.

Watts was devastated as he believed she was the one. Gustavson says she regretted it from the time she did it admitting, "I’ve had guilt over it for the last 42 years.”

So they went their separate ways, cut all communication, got married to other people, got divorced... neither of them had kids. Watts says much as they were apart, she thought of her every day. What he had no idea was that Gustavson was also thinking about him too. "I knew somehow this was an open chapter; it was never closed,” she said. “I knew there had to be more to this than the way it ended.”

Much as they wanted to reach out to one another, the fear of the unknown got in the way until 2020 when Gustavson decided to find Watts, no matter what. Social media searches turned out to be dead ends. Then one day she stumbled across an address of someone she believed was Watts' relative. Her instincts were on point. She received a call and was told that Watts was in a nursing home.

So she wrote him a letter. He never replied. She called the nursing home but was told, with no reason, that Watts couldn't take the call. She decided to go see him because she needed closure. She got there and a nurse told her that she was his first visitor in 10 years!

When the nurses wheeled him to her, she knew he still loved her and she still loved him... "and this was going to be forever", she says. " He grabbed my hand and would not let go. The two of us cried for about an hour and a half.”

Much as his body had withered, she was ecstatic to have him back in his life. Inside, he was still the same person. After back and forth calls, Gustavon noticed he had no quality of life and decided to go back and get him. When she told him, his reply was an amazing "I’d follow you anywhere.”

Watts and Gustavon's story was shared with a local news station because “right now, the world needs to hear good news and stories of hope,”said a neighbor Tina Mattern. And after two month's in his new home, believe it or not, Watts is flourishing and has improved immensely.

“He makes me feel like I’m 18 again,” says Gustavson. And the feeling is mutual: “I’m the luckiest guy in the world... And then some", says Watts.

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14 responses to "This interracial couple reunited after 42 years of a painful break-up"

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  1.   Soladebb says:
    Posted: 30 Jan 23

    Made me cry with tears of joy because love conquers all. We all need it to survive

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  2.   iLina35 says:
    Posted: 19 Dec 22

    The fact that he was alone in a nursing home (as most black men are) means he was not a good man. Black men are not romantic, they’re solely focused on survival. Most of which come from women. There’s no way he didn’t father illegitimate kids. She’s looking at him through rose tinted glasses, nostalgia and the loneliness of old age. He doesn’t care about any long lost love. If he did, he would’ve searched for her. He’s just glad he’s gotten is a hospice care wife to take care of him in his old age and she’s gotten a man that she’s familiar with. I wish them well.

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    • lilgerrie78G says:
      Posted: 30 Jan 23

      Girl who hurt you?? Do you know his back story? It says he was in a nursing home, not hospice care, why do you think that black men can't be romantic? I hope you find someone who Loves you this much! Have a wonderful life!

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    • OrangePeach says:
      Posted: 31 Jan 23

      Agree. I’ve seen it too.

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    • Kiliki1970 says:
      Posted: 31 Jan 23

      I can't stand for someone to stereotype any race!

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  3.   Barksy says:
    Posted: 05 May 22

    The story of Watts $ Guvston, is one in a million. It instills in me hope that; it’s never late to love again. & Love surpasses all boundaries & injustices.

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  4.   Shelli003 says:
    Posted: 12 Jan 22

    I loved reading this couple's love story and the fact that neither gave up their love for one another. One rarely reads love stories like this. My heart feels joyous for this couple rekindling their love. May it last a lifetime!

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  5.   babyhulk2004 says:
    Posted: 11 Nov 21

    A Tru love orcastrated by God they were meant to be together ❤

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  6.   Ragdolly says:
    Posted: 10 Nov 21

    True love!

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  7.   Pleasuregaru says:
    Posted: 08 Nov 21

    Yes this is a real happy ending. Love fixed just about all of his sickness. Very happy for them.

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  8.   just_divine says:
    Posted: 08 Nov 21

    This kind of love is immensely rare. I long for a forever love.

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  9.   Imagine43 says:
    Posted: 06 Nov 21

    This is an incredible story. I am touched by their love for one another.

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