Share
In 2003, Jane was 57 years old and had never married. Then she met Sandy, who was 61 and also never married. They live in Stanly County, where Jane tells their story:
The auction: My friend Sam Beasley and I were going to an auction, and he brought his best friend with us. Sam and I were like brother and sister. His friend Sandy Van Sinderen was a teacher whose students called him Mr. Van, because his last name was a mouthful. When Sam introduced us, Sandy put his hand out to me and said, "You may call me Mr. Van."
The kiss: Sandy was originally from New York, and I guess I decided it was time for the North and South to meet. When he told me what I could call him it reminded me of an arrogant donkey, to put it politely. So I immediately leaned up and kissed him on the lips and said, "Hello darling. My name is Jane." For that entire year, the three of us went everywhere together.
The Cheerwine: In December 2003, Sandy and I went to Sam's Christmas celebration at work. I noticed that Sandy was acting differently. Sam and his two daughters were acting strange too - like they knew a secret. Sandy sat beside me the whole time then said he wanted to talk to me. We went to his home, and he poured me a glass of Cheerwine and sat down. All of a sudden he blurted out, "I want to get to know you in a different light, and that is all I know for now." My mouth fell open. All I could get out was a weak, "OK."
The cruise: We dated every day, and on Christmas Eve Sandy arrived dressed in his tuxedo. I was wearing red velvet, and we headed to Sam's house for a Christmas gathering. It was wonderful. I knew I had found my prince. In April, Sandy flew me to Maine to meet his family and proposed there on Easter Sunday after church in front of his whole family. We got married in August 2004 on a cruise ship in Nova Scotia. Kathy Haight
