It’s an age old story... two lonely hearts tie the knot after finding love.
Only in this romantic tale, the lovers are both in their 80s – and they used a thoroughly modern online dating service.
Euan Coffin, 84, and Freda Clark, 81, were both struggling at times after their long-term spouses had died.
Euan’s daughter Theresa Vincente set him up with a profile on over-50s singles site, Silver Surfers.
Freda’s granddaughter Millie did the same for her soon after and she took a liking to Euan’s profile as they had common interests in dogs, gardening and angling.
After an initial exchange of messages, they met in a Lidl car park because Freda did not want to give out her address.
They had their first date at a garden centre. Their friendship blossomed as the pandemic forced them to share a bubble.
Euan went down on one knee in February and the couple married this month at The Guildhall in Poole, Dorset, in front of 22 guests.
They had their reception at a pub and now live together in Freda’s home in Bournemouth.
Freda, whose husband of 59 years, Tony, died in 2017, said: “I was struggling with loneliness so my grand- daughter made this digital profile for this dating site.
“Euan was the first person I spoke to. We both said we didn’t want anything serious.
“When lockdown came Euan was my bubble and he spent a few nights of the week with me.
"He bought me a brooch and asked me if I’d prefer a ring. He got down on one knee and of course I said yes and now we are married!”
Freda has two children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Euan was married to Wendy for 53 years but she died nine years ago.
The retired landscape gardener said: “The dating website was my daughter’s idea. I said don’t bother and the next thing Freda came along which has been the best thing.”
