QUINCY —
Love can take time to declare itself. For years, Patrice O’Gorman thought of Alphonse LaRosa as “the one who got away.” For his part, LaRosa knew she cared but never realized quite how much. They dated for three years after high school but lost touch when he decided to make an Air Force career as a navigator and bombardier in Korea and Vietnam. Eventually, they married others and had families. Now and then, they’d think of one another.
Then last June, thanks to two compassionate clerks at Quincy City Hall, they found each other again. For the first Valentine’s Day in 60 years, they are together, newlyweds at 79 and 78.
“To find someone who loves you and has loved you – I know her feelings are genuine – to find this at this stage of my life, I feel super fortunate,” LaRosa said.
As he told their story, slowly and thoughtfully, his bride sat beside him, polishing off a cupcake and coffee, nodding and smiling as she listened.
“From the first day, it was love at first sight,” she said when he was done. “I don’t know why he didn’t think I liked him so much, but I did and I do. We’re like two love birds, just a little older now.”
