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July 24, 2003
High school reunion can bring surprises
By TOM BLAKE
For The Register's South County Weekly Newspapers

It's the time of year for high school reunions – one of the prime places for older singles to find romance. Take this story for example.

After graduating from Lakewood High School in Long Beach in 1962, Cheryl Weston got married. She attended her 10-year high school reunion but didn't attend another reunion until the 40th last September.

"I had been divorced for many years and went under duress with a fellow graduate and her husband," said Cheryl, who has three children and seven grandchildren. At the reunion, Cheryl saw a man named Guy Liford walk in.

She approached him and said, "Do you remember me, my name is Cheryl Weston?" She had never dated Guy, but recalled him as "being fun and nice."

Cheryl invited Guy to sit at the vacant chair next to her at the table where she and her friends were seated.

Guy was a widower of three years. He has a son stationed in Iraq, three grandchildren and has lived in Riverside County since 1985.

Guy described his response to Cheryl's question at the reunion: "I looked into her eyes and said, 'yes, I remember you.'" Guy also told me, "At that moment, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her."

Wow! If all single men were this decisive – and easy – middle age dating wouldn't be as difficult as it is.

"Before we departed that night, I asked her if I could spend some time with her on Sunday and she said yes. We went to Huntington Beach and spent nine hours walking and talking."

They had lunch at Chimayo restaurant. Three days after meeting at the reunion, while watching the sunset from Dana Point, Guy gave Cheryl his graduation diamond ring and asked her to marry him. "She said 'yes' and made me the happiest guy in the world."

Another Wow! No indecision on either person's part. One might have expected a red flag at sunset to be hoisted on such an important and quick decision.

Weren't things happening too quickly?

On New Year's Eve at sunset (this is one romantic, sunset-loving couple), Cheryl and Guy were married on the island of Hilo in Hawaii. In light of the column two weeks ago about the pitfalls of dating old flames and acquaintances, I was wondering – and you readers likely as well – how this fast-moving, fairy-tale love story is working out.

Cheryl says, "This is the most love I have ever felt and the most amazing marriage for us both. We cannot get enough of each other and NEVER run out of things to talk about."

Cheryl added that they talk about the present – their children and grandchildren – and about the 40-plus years ago when they first knew each other. Guy says, "We've had a great time since (the reunion)."

If you're thinking of skipping your reunion this year, you might want to rethink your decision.

Weekly comments:

Christine, San Clemente: "Your column has long been needed, and your non-psychobabble, real-life attitude is greatly appreciated."

Response: Non-psychobabble? That's the best definition of this column I've heard in the nine years of writing it.

Upcoming events:

On Aug. 10, The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano is setting aside a special section for "Tom's Readers" for the evening performance of the Hawaiian legend Don Ho and his daughter Hoku. Greta and I are going and will be having dinner. Sit with us in our special section. Call Coach House for reservations, 496-8930.

On Aug. 20, I'll be speaking at the breakfast meeting of Inside Edge, an educational foundation, at the Faculty Club at UCI. Topic: Finding Love After 50. Call 460-4242 for reservations. First-time guests $20. Web site: www.insideedge.org.