Woman Stubbornly Rejects Boyfriend’s Proposals for 43 Years, Pops the Question Herself One Day

A couple spent many happy decades together, but whenever the bachelor proposed to his partner, she declined. However, in 2018, she did something that caught him off-guard.

Getting married is one of the most joyous moments in a couple’s relationship, but not everyone dreams about saying vows and making the commitment official.

A doting man adored the woman of his dreams and tried to make her his wife for many years—but she never accepted his proposal. Read the couple’s unique story and discover why they made news headlines in 2018.  

Elderly couple holding hands | Photo: Getty Images

SHE SAID “NO” 43 TIMES

Pauline Young and Colin Jones spent most of their lives together, raising five kids between them and enjoying their special bond. They worked and lived together but never said their “I do’s.”

Jones proposed to Young 43 times, and every time, her answer was the same—a resounding no. She blatantly refused to marry her partner, but he popped the question each year in case she changed her mind. 

THEIR BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY

The British pair had a beautiful love story that started after they met at their respective children’s playgroup in 1976. They started a cabinet business called Young Jones and ran it together for three decades.

Eventually, they moved to Gozo, Malta, and opened their own bed and breakfast. Jones stated:

“We never found anywhere we were really comfortable until Gozo, it is very laidback – it suited us down to the ground.”

He was besotted with Young and revealed that he was “floating on air” from the moment he met her. They were grateful for their life and had everything they wanted, but Jones still longed to marry his dream girl.  

Elderly couple | Photo: Getty Images

THEY WERE ALWAYS TOGETHER

While many couples only see their significant others for a few hours every day, that wasn’t the case for Young and Jones. They were always together and couldn’t get enough of each other. 

Jones expressed:

“When we saw each other it was instant, we fell in love — hook, line and sinker. The magic of life allows you to meet people like Pauline. Our marriage was a combination of our 43 years together.”

MAKING HEADLINES

After a lifetime together, they made news headlines in 2018 because Young did something completely unexpected. Jones had given up all hope that he would ever marry the love of his life, but the elderly bachelor was in for a surprise. 

Young proposed to her partner after more than four decades, and he was beside himself. Jones explained:

“When Pauline asked me, I almost fell off the bed. I’d been asking her all this time. Now she was asking me, I said, ‘Of course, I will.'”

TRYING TIMES IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP

The proposal was heartfelt and came during a difficult time in the couple’s life. Young faced challenging health conditions which forced her to return to the United Kingdom while her husband remained in Malta.

He visited her every two weeks, and during one of these trips, Young asked Jones the big question. They had a blessing ceremony on Saint Valentine’s day, and both wore elegant outfits for the moment that was decades in the making.

THE NEWLYWED HUSBAND WAS IN DISBELIEF

After the ceremony, they enjoyed cake and refreshments at Young’s care facility, and Jones was thrilled about the developments. His dream of marrying Young came true, and it left him even more in love than before. 

Jones said:

“There is so much love here at the moment. Everyone round about us is so happy.” 

The newlywed husband remained in disbelief. After years of proposing and being rejected, he could finally call Young his wife. He added: “I had given up all hope of us getting married. I thought it would never ever happen.“

IT WAS A PERFECT DISPLAY OF THEIR LOVE

The couple experienced many emotions surrounding their wedding and are happy to be where they are now. While their blessing ceremony is not recognized legally, for Jones and Young, it was perfect and “a show of love.”

The couple proves that romance and devotion have no age or limit. For Young, the wedding was everything he wanted, and the proposal from his wife made all of his waiting worthwhile.  

Click here for another heart-warming story that will make you believe in love again. High school sweethearts recommitted their union after decades together, and the husband even went down on one knee again for a memorable proposal. 

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