Writing love letters or poetry can seem like a lost art in a world complete of texts, emoticons, and “u up?” messages. We are used to getting speedy answers and tapping on a screen. But now and then, someone reminds us how important it is to slow down, sit with our feelings, and express what they are: beautiful, honest, and maybe a little messy.
That’s precisely what occurred to Nancy Gambell and Dr. Thomas McMeekin. Their love story, which has spanned decades across oceans and even went viral at an airport, is one for the books. And what is at the center of it all? Words. Not just words but messages and poetry that were so real they felt like they came from the heart.
And trust me, it hits differently when love is written out in that way.
Rediscovering Love Through Language
Tom and Nancy reconnected just before their 60th high school reunion. It began with a few friendly messages but quickly evolved into a deep, daily exchange. Texts, emails, FaceTime, you name it. And while technology made that connection possible, it was the way they spoke to each other that stood out.
Tom didn’t just say, “I’m thinking of you.” He wrote it. Thoughtfully. Poetically. Often with a quote or a short verse that reflected what he was feeling at that moment.
One of the first poems he sent Nancy read:
“It is hard to describe a miracle so unexpected, mystical, and unbelievable,
yet it brings exquisite excitement that leads to enlightenment.
How two soul mates with six decades of torment
could so easily rekindle a love that was dormant
is a mystery that is unsolvable
just as it is so vibrant and palpable.”
Now tell me that doesn’t hit you somewhere deep.
It wasn’t about writing like Shakespeare or trying to be polished. It was about being real. It’s about capturing those weird, electric feelings that happen when you fall for someone, even if it’s the second time around, maybe, especially if it’s the second time around.
Why Poetry Still Matters
There’s something raw about poetry. It doesn’t ask for perfection. It doesn’t need punctuation to be flawless or rhyme schemes to be fancy. All it needs is heart. And when you’re in love, especially the kind of love that comes after a long life of experiences, you’ve got plenty of heart to work with.
For Tom, poetry became a way of saying all the things that couldn’t quite fit into a text message. It helped him express gratitude, admiration, hope, fear, and a whole lot of vulnerability. And that’s the thing about vulnerability. It’s magnetic. Nancy responded in kind. With more words. With more honesty. And with a growing sense that something very real was unfolding between them.
And that’s the kind of thing that doesn’t happen with just emojis.
The Letters That Built a Love Story
It wasn’t just the poems. Tom also started sending Nancy what he called his “daily love notes.” They were handwritten or typed, depending on the day, and filled with reflections about the two of them, about growing old together, about what it means to find someone who sees you.
Every note became a touchpoint. A rhythm to their romance. A reminder that love doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic to be real. It can be soft. Consistent. Daily.
Some notes quoted Aristotle or anonymous proverbs. Others were just from Tom’s own heart, stuff like:
“You ignite my soul, you make me whole.
Your smile is sweet, you make me complete.
I love your heart where dreams start.”
Simple. Unfiltered. It’s so much more human than a Hallmark card.
And you know what? It worked.
These letters didn’t just move Nancy emotionally. They created space for their relationship to deepen. They built trust. They laid a foundation that made the next part of their story possible.
The Proposal (And That Necklace)
By the time Nancy flew to Tampa to visit Tom, he had a plan. And, of course, it involved words.
He didn’t wing his proposal. He wrote it out. Thoughtfully. A full-page letter, typed in a big font so he wouldn’t stumble through it at the airport. Let’s be real; who wouldn’t be shaking a little at that moment?
He gave her a necklace first, with their birthstones. A subtle, sentimental touch. Then he pulled out the letter. And right there, in front of a small cheering crowd and some hidden coworkers capturing the moment on camera, he read it to him, every single word.
By the time he finished, she said yes. She said, “I will,” which is even sweeter.
That moment, captured on video, went viral, taking the internet by storm. Millions of people watched it and felt something stir inside them. Maybe it was nostalgia. Perhaps it was hope. Or perhaps it was just the realization that this is how love should feel. Brave. Intentional. Full of emotion.
Writing Love That Lasts
So what does all this mean for the rest of us?
It means there’s still room in the world for love letters. There’s still magic in writing down how you feel. You don’t have to be a poet. You don’t need to know iambic pentameter. You need a pen, a little honesty, and someone worth writing to.
Because when you write it down, it lasts. Words stick around. Long after texts are deleted and social media fades, a letter in a drawer or a poem in a notebook still has the power to move someone.
And who knows, maybe, like Tom and Nancy, you’ll find that expressing love through words is what brings it to life in the first place.