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Hernando Today

The heart never grows old

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By JODY BOWES

Hernando Today Correspondent

Published: February 13, 2010

Updated:

SPRING HILL - Their tale rivals any Valentine verse. Al Brackett is 70, Carol Skinner, 66. Both were married before and yearned for a sincere, lasting relationship. Both had doubts about online dating, but neither wanted to give up on love.

Skinner said she wasn't ready to abandon "the woman who lives inside me," nor say goodbye to "the heart that still yearns for a man's touch, his love and commitment." She still longed to hear words like, "Honey, I'm home" and "I love you."

Still gainfully employed, Brackett had a busy life but knew something was missing.

In a serendipitous decision, Brackett and Skinner had both joined a "mature dating site" where seniors correspond via computer.

They connected online last October and met in person in December. A week from today, complete with motorcycle escort, they'll ride Brackett's Goldwing motorcycle from Spring Hill to Brooksville to exchange vows and crosses at a commitment ceremony.

Ceremony colors will be Valentine's red and white. The bride's vintage gown with matching hat came from Vickie's Consignment in Spring Hill. "I don't know how I'm going to secure the petticoat," Skinner joked, "It's all ruffles and lace."

"She looks like an angel," added Brackett, who shopped for dresses with her.

They knew when their hands first touched they belonged together. After their first date, Al announced to their iHop waitress, "Guess what? We fell in love last night."

Both claim they're "in love for the very first time."

"I can't even believe it," Skinner said, "Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves. We thought we loved before, but this is love. I've never felt this way, and Al feels the same. We have so much in common. He loves boats; I have a houseboat. We both love to fish, ride motorcycles, and we share a strong faith in God."

Brackett says finding the right person is worth the effort and wait.

"There's hope. You never give up," he explained. "Online dating is like looking for that needle in the haystack. You have to go through it to find what you're really looking for."

"I knew I'd better get serious at age 66," Skinner stated. "I did my research and was real careful. There are a lot of wolves and cons out there. I relied on my senses."

She was methodical, posting well-thought-out questions for would-be suitors. She wasn't thrilled with the answers. "To 'What do you respect in a woman?' the responses were, 'She keeps herself nice, wears makeup, etc.' Al answered, 'Her self-respect, self-esteem, and that she loves herself.' I asked, 'If there's anything you really wanted to teach me, what would it be?' Al said, 'To love yourself first, and to love others.' He kept rising to the top."

Brackett was cautious, only meeting prospective lady friends for coffee or lunch.

"Nobody was being honest," he said. "They'd post 20-year-old photos. The first impression you get is from a picture. Then you go for what's in the head and heart. It's like a Sears catalog - you choose what you want; but when it arrives, it's not real. There was no chemistry. But Carol's picture had that smile, and she's still wearing it. It hasn't come off yet."

He was ready to give up. "I prayed, 'God, you find her, I can't do this by myself,' and out of nowhere, she came to me. I'm still doing a wow."

Skinner says Brackett's faith was one of her most important criteria. She sent a message saying, "I like your profile."

Brackett replied, "From your profile and the way you're so beautiful, I'm thinking of jumping on my bike and rushing up there before somebody else gets you."

Skinner followed with a barrage of questions, which Brackett thought was fun. They spent the next two months corresponding and finally chose to meet on New Year's Eve.

Skinner was nervous.

"As soon as I held his shaking hand, I knew he was sincere. It was like meeting an old friend. There were sparks!"

A couple weeks later, they were talking marriage. Like many senior citizens, they realized they would lose social security benefits if they wed.

"We couldn't afford that. We wanted to live together," said Skinner, "But we couldn't do that without the Lord's blessing."

Skinner says their families have embraced the couple into their lives wholeheartedly. Brackett's daughter Darlene Montgomery will host the commitment ceremony at her Brooksville home. Skinner's son will give her away. Brackett's son will ride one of the escorting motorcycles.

When they dismount the bikes, they'll dance to the song "Grow Old With Me" by John Lennon (recorded by Mary Chapin Carpenter), then go to the fireplace, light three candles (representing the Holy Trinity), say their vows and exchange crosses. "After that, it's karaoke," said Skinner. The wedding cake is an open Bible with their names and the verse, 'Wherever thou goest, I shall go.'

The couple plans to buy their crosses today.

Brackett said, "I'm a little nervous, but in a good way. It took me 70 years to find the love of my life. I can tell 'this is it' because every bone in my body says 'Gotta keep her.' It's one of those things you can't really put into words, but you just know."

Their new life together includes downsizing. Skinner is selling her houseboat, including furniture and accessories. Future plans are to buy a motor home and travel the USA.

"Every day is Valentine's Day for us," said Brackett, "and we want to keep it that way."

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