Joan Reid, 65, and George Low, 66, first met as children in primary school in Dundee, Scotland. They became teenage sweethearts, and at 18 George proposed before being posted to Germany with the army. Joan declined, not wanting to leave her family, and they lost touch for nearly five decades.
Both married twice over the years but never forgot their first love. In December 2017, after losing four stone through the WW slimming programme, Joan gained the confidence to message George on Facebook. Initially, he did not recognise her due to her married surname, but they soon began chatting.
The pair arranged to meet for coffee in April 2018, 47 years since they had parted. The attraction was immediate, and just two months later, Joan moved into George's home. 'I should have done it when I was younger. We just get on marvellously together,' Joan said.
Just before Christmas 2018, George proposed with a rubber ring. Joan recalled: 'He didn't get down on one knee because he's got arthritis!' The couple, who are now planning their wedding, say they are happier than ever.
