GEORGETOWN, Del. - A love lost is now found again after six decades. A Lewes woman and her now-husband tied the knot on Monday. The love story of Alice Awad (now Parshall) and Richard Parshall is far from ordinary.
"We fell in love on the phone,” said Richard.
It began in 1954. The love affair started in Ohio in the 9th grade, where the two dated all through high school, and went to every prom together.
The Couple at Prom in the 50'sAlice Parshall
"I don't think we got home until 2 o'clock!" said Richard.
After graduation, the two went their separate ways, Alice to D.C. and Richard to college. They kept in touch by writing letters.
"Then by Christmas, we kind of sort of didn’t do anything anymore, and parted ways for 62 years,” said Alice.
They eventually married different people and started families.
“We just developed new lives, but I don't think we realized we still love each other,” said Richard.
In 2019, Richard's wife passed, and Alice, who had also dealt with the death of a spouse, sent him a condolence card.
“A week later I got a letter in the mail from him which really surprised me,” Alice laughed.
Alice and Richard managed a long distance relationship. He lives in Simi Valley, California and she in Lewes, where they email, zoom, and talk on the phone every night, 7 days a week. It’s a modern courtship, but the same feelings felt 62 years prior.
"The first of September he came to Lewes. He came to Lewes for two weeks and I showed him all over the area, then I flew back with him to California and he showed me all over California,” said Alice.
An engagement came in November, and the two have already been through a lot, surviving COVID-19 together this winter.
The two lovebirds can't believe this happened to them at this time in their lives, but wouldn't trade it for the world.
“We just picked up where we left off,” said Alice. “She is still the same supporting, caring, loving person she was in high school, and I love it. I love her,” said Richard.
Alice Parshall
The newlyweds said if you love someone, don't wait 62 years to tie the knot. They say they plan to have a happy, long, and fun marriage.