Woman forced to give up baby at age 15 tracked down by boyfriend 53 years later

Childhood sweethearts who split after being forced to put their daughter up for adoption reunited after 53 years apart – and got married just 36 hours later.

Karen Lehmann and Denny Vinar, from Minnesota, had a daughter together in 1961 when Karen was just 15, but she was sent to a home for unmarried mothers.

They got to hold their daughter for just an hour before she was taken away, reports WCCO.

Denny went to Germany with the army but when he returned proposed to his high school sweetheart.

But her parents did not approve of the match and wanted her to complete her studies.

Karen and Denny were able to reconnect with their daughter after the adoption agency contacted Jean (Danny Vinar/Facebook)

They gradually grew apart and began new relationships but Denny said Karen always occupied a "corner of his heart".

Then, more than five decades on, 78-year-old Denny contacted 76-year-old Karen, then a widow living in Washington, on LinkedIn after someone asked him who he'd want to have dinner with if he was given 60 days to live.

They spoke for three months before Denny flew over to meet her.

"It was just magic. She got out of the car and she ran around and she jumped on me and said, 'babe, you’re home'," Denny said.

Karen and Denny were separated for 53 years (Karen lehmann Vinar/Facebook)

Karen added: "It felt like nothing much had changed including his dimples when he smiled and the sparkle he has."

Less than two days later they were married and have now settled in Twin Cities.

Karen added: "One day he said, 'Karen it took me this long to find you. My life would be complete if we could find our daughter'."

The couple worked with Lutheran Social Services, who ran the home Karen was sent to, but initially their daughter, now going by Jean Voxland, ignored the letter.

Karen, Denny and daughter Jean (WCCO - CBS Minnesota)

“One day, I came home from work, and my husband said, ‘I think you better sit down.’ In the whole 30-some years of our marriage, he had never told me ‘I think you need to sit down,’” she said.

Her persuaded her to contact the Vinars.

They began exchanging letters and eventually decided to meet.

Jean said: “When he [Denny] walked through the door and I looked at him, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh.’ Because I’ve never, ever looked like anybody and now I do."

"'The love we have for each other is second to none. Today, even today, it’s unbelievable," Denny added.