ACTIVELY SENIOR
Love is lovelier 1971 the second time around By Stu Turgel
M
ythology is full of many fascinating characters but none more idyllic and romantic than that rascally scamp Cupid. When the arrow hits you from this symbol of desire, love, attraction and affection, you immediately fall in love. Many couples are lucky to be struck by Cupid’s arrow once, but it is the truly lucky ones who are fortunate to be struck twice. And when the second time is the charm, well, that truly is a blessing. Judy and I met 50 years ago when I was in the last year of my Army service, and she was a local college girl in her hometown of Denver, CO. I would regularly attend Friday night services at the Jewish chapel at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. Judy and other young Jewish women from the community attended to offer hospitality and help young out of town servicemen feel welcome and connected to the community. received one of those messages many of us are familiar We were not the first couples to find love during with. It was Facebook telling me that I might want to be Kabbalat Shabbat services. Other G.I.’s met and fell in Facebook friends with Judy Frieder because we shared 19 love with local girls who would become mutual Facebook friends. The name their wives. But as John Lennon said: meant nothing to me, but the photo “Life is what happens while you are was unmistakable. It was the woman busy making other plans.” And for us, I had once been married to. I never unfortunately, our marriage didn’t last. knew what her second married name The basketball term for it is: “No harm, was. Nor was I ever interested to no foul.” After four years, we went our know where she was. I never tried separate ways without children and to find her. I wouldn’t have known with no further contact again, sort of. how to even if I had wanted. I didn’t Eventually, we both re-married. even know if she was still living. But Careers made gypsies of us. We each Facebook had just told me she was, moved around the country many times. and even after decades apart, I would And life being what it is, we each saw have recognized her in a crowd. The the end to our second marriages. name was different, but the face was In 2006, I found my way to the the same. Phoenix area, having been recruited But 19 mutual friends? We didn’t Stu and Judy today. from Baltimore to lead the Jewish even have 19 mutual friends when Community Foundation. we were married. How was that One day while looking at Facebook, I possible. After a little sleuthing, I 66
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