Couple Forced Apart Reunites After 53 Years And Finds Daughter Given Up For Adoption
Anyone who thinks it's too late to recapture lost love should get inspired by a couple who is writing living the best chapter of their lives together, half a century after their first meeting.
Separated by birth
Denny and Karen Vinar were your classic, inseparable high school sweethearts, Karen recalls Denny fondly to WDTV.
"I only lived two blocks from the school, so he would walk me home after school practically every day"
- Karen Vinar
However, everything changed when Karen became pregnant at age 15 and placed in a home for unwed mothers. Denny was only able to visit her on a couple of occasions, including the day their baby girl was born.
The couple only had an hour to hold her before they were forced to give her up for adoption.
“We had a photograph taken of her, and that was the last of our memories of her,” Karen Vinar said.
Not wanting to lose the love of his life too, Denny proposed to Karen when he returned from military duty. She, of course, accepted. Her family, however, objected- insisting that she get an education instead.
With that, the young family was disbanded.
He never forgot her
It turns out that time doesn't heal all wounds. For the rest of his life, Denny was still burning to be with his first and only love.
"No, I never stopped thinking about her. She had, I say, a corner of my heart. She was always there"
- Denny Vinar
And so, 53 years later, Denny found Karen through an online search, left her a message, and waited.
Not for long.
Karen contacted him immediately. Time stood still as the couple talked nonstop like teenagers. Soon, Denny was on a plane, en route to his see his girl.
Within hours of landing, they were finally husband and wife.
Life was complete...Almost.
Their missing link
Although happily married, Denny couldn't shake off that something was missing.
“One day, he said, ‘Karen, it took me this long to find you. My life would be complete if we could find our daughter,’” Karen recalls.
Working with local social services, they tracked down the adoption agency and sent a letter to their long-lost daughter, Jean Voxland.
Voxland initially ignored the letter. Her husband had a different idea.
"One day, I came home from work, and he 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 "
- Jean Voxland
Jean's husband was adamant -- she had to contact her birth parents. After some letter-exchanging, they decided to meet.
When they finally met, Voxland knew right away that she was among family.
“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,” Voxland said. “And now, I do.”
Love and family are timeless
Back together, the Vinars and Voxlands devoted their time meeting each other's extended family and celebrating milestones together.
It's a bond that continues to amaze Denny.
"The love we have for each other is absolutely second to none. Even today, it’s so strong. It’s unbelievable"
- Denny Vinar
It is estimated that we will each meet on average 10,000 people in our lifetime.
You'll connect with none in the same way as your child, siblings, true love or true friends. No matter how much time passes, you can share something truly special and unique with those people.
Denny and Karen Vinar will tell you that this type of connection is worth waiting a lifetime for.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.