In a remarkable tale of love that transcended decades, Lynne Besant and Paul prove that some connections are simply meant to be. Their story, which began in the mid-1960s, saw them reunite and finally marry after more than 40 years apart.
A Queensland Beginning
Their journey started in Gladstone, central Queensland, when Lynne's family moved to a caravan park for her father's construction work. Lynne was nearly 16 and unhappy about changing schools, but her outlook changed when she met Paul, a 21-year-old apprentice electrician.
Despite the age difference, they formed a close bond. Paul would often rig up lighting for large parties at the caravan park and became a regular presence in Lynne's life, even picking her up from ballet classes. Their Friday night ritual involved getting fish and chips with Lynne's parents, enjoying cheap white wine on a hill overlooking the beach.
In what Lynne describes as "the most innocent way," she considered Paul her boyfriend. He gave her a friendship ring, which she wore proudly and still possesses today, despite her mother's initial disapproval.
Separation and a Missed Connection
When Lynne's family moved again, she sent Paul lovelorn letters from Darwin on pastel purple paper drenched in Imprevu perfume. Eventually, the correspondence ceased as life moved on for both of them.
Unbeknownst to Lynne, who embarked on an American road trip that included LA, New Orleans, Florida, and seven months in Venezuela, Paul had travelled to Darwin looking for her. Intriguingly, Lynne's mother took him in and encouraged him to save money to meet Lynne in the United States.
Communicating via snail mail, they arranged to meet in Miami. Paul booked two hotel rooms, but they only used one. "We lived on room service and love, at last," Paul recalls. They began travelling by Greyhound bus, and were in Orlando for the opening weekend of Disney World in 1971. It was there, after requesting the song 'Moon River' from wandering musicians, that Lynne felt their relationship had truly taken flight.
A Reunion Decades in the Making
After travelling to the UK and returning to Darwin by Christmas, Paul asked Lynne's father for her hand in marriage. While her father agreed, her mother disapproved, a baffling turn given she had facilitated their American reunion. The relationship subsequently fell apart.
Paul went on to marry, have a family, and even built his own boat, spending eight years sailing it from Australia to the Mediterranean. Yet, he confesses he always held a flame for Lynne.
By 2011, Lynne was divorced, living in Perth, and had two adult children. Paul tracked her down, and a planned friendly catch-up at a café spiralled into something much more. Despite friends thinking she was crazy for reconnecting with her still-married childhood sweetheart, Lynne recognised the profound feelings she still harboured for him.
The rekindled romance was handled as respectfully as possible, though it did strain some relationships that required time to rebuild.
Finally Coming Home
In April 2015, their long journey culminated in a beachfront wedding in Perth. In a poignant full-circle moment, they walked to the altar to the sound of 'Moon River', the song that had defined the early days of their romance.
Reflecting on their extraordinary path, Lynne acknowledges there were several moments she knew Paul was the one, but youth blinded her to their rarity. "When we reunited in our 60s," she says, "it felt, quite simply, like coming home."
