The couple in today’s story has practically struggled for love. Mary and Jake meet in the 1940s and fall in love despite societal and familial barriers.
They remained together, married, and were shunned by society, but they didn’t give up. They are still together and happily married today. Mary is from the United Kingdom, and Jake is from Trinidad. Jake was an American airman stationed at Burtonwood Base in the United Kingdom. Mary was undergoing typist training at the time. Mary lived near Burtonwood Base and attended the same technical college.
Mary recalled the first time they met to The Daily Mail: “We attended the same vocational school. He’d been stationed there by the Air Force when I took typing and shorthand courses. My friend was with a group of black buddies when he and I were summoned to speak with them.”
As soon as Jake and Mary met, they felt a deep bond of affection between them. They began to see each other regularly and hang out together. However, this was during the 1940s, when racial tensions were high and mixed-race marriages were frowned upon.
Their first social adversity occurred during a picnic with friends. A cyclist noticed them and told Mary’s father. This is what Mary had to say about it: She reports me to my father, who prevents me from seeing him again after meeting two English girls with a number of black men.
Mary, on the other hand, didn’t let Jake’s affection affect her. Jake was summoned back to Trinidad after the world had returned to peace. Upon Jake’s return to Trinidad, the two didn’t stop talking. Before smartphones were invented, they wrote love letters. To keep their love and passion alive, the couple wrote a lot of love letters to each other.
Jake returned to the UK after a few years and proposed to his beloved! Her family was split over her decision, but her answer was a resounding yes. Here’s what she had to say:
“He asked me to marry him out of the blue when I was 19,” she explains. “When I told my father I was going to marry Jake, he told me I would never be able to step foot in that house again if I married him. Upon hearing that I was thinking of marrying a black man, he was shocked.
Mary married Jake despite her father’s adamant opposition. Hand-in-Hand in Difficult Times As a result of their marriage, the couple received a lot of backlash from society and their families. According to Mary:
“On the street, people would point at us. At the age of eight months, I gave birth to a stillborn son. “Even though it had nothing to do with the stress I was under, it broke my heart, and we never had another child.”
“As time passed, however, life became easier. Later, I became a teacher, rising to the position of deputy headteacher. Jake’s first job was at a factory, then he moved to the Post Office.” I used to tell new friends, “Look, I have to tell you this before I invite you to my home – my wife is b.l.a.c.k.”As the planet began to heal and nations started to evolve, things started to improve for the great couple after they had endured it together. Mary’s father, however, never changed his mind. “She stated,” she said. “Even though we were reconciled by then, my father never approved of Jake,” says the author. After 71 years of marriage, the couple is still going strong.
After 71 years of marriage, the couple is still madly in love. It shows how love can truly overcome any obstacle, and their inspiring story shows how they never let anything stand in the way of their love. Jake explains his feelings for Mary as follows:” I am exceptionally fortunate to have met and married Mary, but I’m disappointed that society did not accept us. “Your struggles and remarkable story have truly captivated us, Jake and Mary! Wishing you all of the joy and blessings this world has to offer, and hoping you continue to teach us how to love!
Source: relrules.com
Loved the story, wish it had been edited. If they are up to it how about a book?