True love....
In my earlier years as cabin crew during passenger boarding I noticed an elderly couple in an emotional embrace in the departure lounge. The gentlemen was departing on my flight and the couple were clearly upset at the fact that they were parting each other for an unknown length of time.
Even from a distance I could notice the tears that had welled up in each others eyes then streaming down their cheeks. You couldn't help but think that this was a difficult time for them. Their emotion was electric and I could not help thinking that they were farewelling for a significant period, if not permanently.
As each boarding stage was called, they would briefly seperate and he would step away from her and gesture a wave. After taking a few small steps away from each other they would turn back and in another instance of love held each other wrapped in each others arms.
It was certainly a deeply touching moment, holding my attention for so long, so different to other occassions at a departure lounge. Their circumstance certainly had an effect on me as I had to disguise a tear that appeared after he had finally boarded the aircraft. I think it was their age that made it so different although I had seen it repeated so many previous occassions.
Once onboard myself, it was difficult not to ask the gentlemen if there was anything I could do for him and if he was okay out of sincere concern. He mentioned that he and his wife had been married for over 50 years and that this was the first time ever they had spent time away from each other in all those years.
When I asked when he was returning, he replied that he was only leaving for 2 nights.
I hope that I will be as fortunate to experience the same deep loving as this couple were living.