Once upon a time, (all good stories and fairy tales begin this way) two people on opposite sides of the world... 10,000 miles apart met... a genie, called the Internet (with the help of a mailing list) popped into the lives of these two people making it possible for them to "meet and get to know each other".

The widower, Ed Pomerantz, acknowledged a post from a widow, Gail Francois, who had just joined "griefwidowed-movingon" list with a gentle, caring private note.

Ed Pomerantz & Gail Francois - February 22nd, 1998

Many private posts were exchanged between the couple... writing back and forth... then they "met" and talked on ICQ. Sometimes they talked alone, occasionally joining other folks in chat.

Then the widower invited the widow to mIRC and tutored her in its use. They chatted in the widow/ers channel but it was not long before they realised they needed their own channel... to exchange more personal information. The more they talked and wrote each other, it became obvious there was growing affection and mutual attraction. Phone calls (very expensive ones) followed. Soon they realized they were in love.

The widow had previously planned a visit to the United States and Canada for May and June (to visit her family and friends), but the widower decided he could not wait that long. He had to meet her. As his son's school vacation was coming up, he planned a trip to South Africa.

The meeting at the airport went smoothly, the widow immediately melting into the widower’s arms... the widow and widower knew that the love they felt - half a world away from each other - was very real... Within a few days of their being together, the widower asked the widow to marry him... she said "yes", agreeing without hesitation and enthusiastically.

Ed and Gail are pleased to announce that they will be married as soon as Gail can emigrate to the United States. Happily, David,  Ed's son, likes the idea too...

Pictured below: David, Gail & Ed together

Copyright © Gail Francois & Ed Pomerantz - March 1998

Wallpaper: Sunrise view from the patio of Gail Francois' home in Sunny South Africa.