Harry Cumberpatch, an 88-year-old former postman, sprung the surprise on his 'darling' wife Florence yesterday.
A married couple who live in separate care homes were reunited for Valentine's Day – proving that age is no barrier to romance.
Harry Cumberpatch, an 88-year-old former postman, sprung the surprise on his 'darling' wife Florence yesterday.
Mrs Cumberpatch, 89, knew her husband was coming to visit, but she had no idea she would be treated to bubbly, cakes and a four-legged visitor – Millie the American miniature pony from Clip Clop Pony Rides, Newthorpe.
And all of that in a room decorated with love hearts and Valentine's messages.
The couple, who have been married for 68 years, live in separate care homes due to the extra help Florence needs, so Harry arranged the surprise with the aid of staff at Cherry Trees Resources care home in Bestwood.
He said: "We were childhood sweethearts, it's always been me and Flo.
"We laugh a lot together, we're really compatible, said Harry, of Alexandra Lodge, Lucknow Drive, Mapperley.
"During the war when bombs were coming down I was thinking of Flo because she only lived opposite.
"When the all-clear came the first thing I did was shoot across the road to her.
"She was already in the middle of the road, she had come to see how I was."
After the war, the pair wed at St Christopher's Church, Sneinton, on October 27, 1947. Florence, a former machinist, has previously met the ponies from Clip Clop on therapy days at her care home.
She said: "It was a surprise, but he is quite romantic. We've had our ups and downs but everyone does."
The couple, who have two children and two grandchildren, sealed their romantic moment with a kiss surrounded by their friends and their eldest son, Stephen Cumberpatch.
Stephen, 59, of Newark Road, Wellow, has been married for 34 years and put his parents' longevity down to the age they were born into.
"People from my mum and dad's generation tended to be together for life.
"'Until death do us part' they said, and they meant it."
