(NewsNation) — A couple in Illinois found a second chance at love in an unexpected place: a water aerobics class at their local YMCA.
Now, Edward La Rue, 82, and Marlene Parsons, 78, have done something many couples only dream of and tied the knot where it all began. The happy couple joined “Morning in America” to share their love story.
“Told my kids I was never going to get married again. My wife had cancer for 13 years. I just had enough, so didn’t figure I’d ever get married again. Surprise,” La Rue said.
Pearson, who was also widowed, said their story began with a splash in class.
“I’m one of the taller women here, so I was standing back by the men in the pool, and we just got talking, and that’s how it started,” Pearson said. “And we just became friendly, started splashing each other, having fun in the pool.”
By August 2024, La Rue said he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Pearson — but it took her a year to say yes.
“He’s a great kidder, and I didn’t take him seriously until he says, ‘Let’s go pick out the ring.’ And I said, ‘Oh, OK,’” she said.
They said the decision to get married in the pool came from a suggestion by their friends in class.
“The aquatics director was walking by, and she goes, ‘Yeah, that would be a great idea. And I’m a minister, so I can marry you,’” Pearson said. “We weren’t ready at that time, so we just kind of, you know, laughed it off. And the closer it got, we thought, you know, why not? It’s going to be fun.”