In a scene right out of a Hollywood movie, a 78-year-old Florida dermatologist recently got the internet swooning after a video of his airport proposal to his high school sweetheart went viral.
Not only was it peak rom-com perfection, but it was also a loooooong time coming. Like, 60 years coming.
And if this doesn't satisfy the most cynical among us, nothing will. Because true love? Really does exist.
A Proposal Six Decades in the Making
Dr. Thomas McMeekin and Nancy Gambell first met in high school in Quincy, California. He was a football star and she was a cheerleader.
"We admired each other from a distance," McMeekin told Fox13. "I never thought I had a chance with her."
They did go on a few dates during college but ultimately lost track of each other, flying off in separate directions. Aside from briefly reconnecting at their 50th high school reunion, ten years ago, they remained out of contact.
All that changed, however, when McMeekin received an invite to his 60th high school reunion. He RSVP'd and received a surprising message from Gambell saying, "I'm really looking forward to seeing you again."
That was all it took. Love.Rekindled.
Over the next three weeks, the two spent hours talking on the phone. Then Gambell arranged to fly from California to Florida so they could meet up in person.
When they finally saw each other, time just melted away.
And McMeekin wasn't about to waste another second.
With a soliloquy worthy of Shakespeare himself, the love-stricken doctor got down on his knee (atop the most adorable pillow) and poured out his heart in what may just be the sweetest declaration of love ever.
And luckily for us, and the millions of people that have viewed it on TikTok, several of his fellow staff members were on hand at the airport to witness and film the event.
Initially, the video was shared by both @jobuns and @angelial.fedrick3 with a musical overlay. However, viewers were quick to request the full, unedited, sound-only version.
Grab the tissues, you're going to need them.
An Airport Proposal Goes Viral
Clasping her hand in one hand, and his speech in another, McMeekin, his voice breaking with emotion, said: "Nancy, It’s been 60 years since we first met. Fifty-six years since we first dated. Ten years since I saw you last. And 20 days since we reconnected. You have always been the one I’ve had a crush on since your cheerleader days, which brings a smile to my face, that makes my heart skip a beat."
For the last three weeks, I have thought of you every day, every hour, and have talked to you every night for hours. I longed to see you again, hold you in my arms, and tell you how much you mean to me.
Oh.My.Heart.
"You are the most incredible person I have ever met…You're everything that I have ever wanted in a partner, lover, and friend," he told a sobbing Gambell before finally popping the question.
(And if she doesn't marry him, I can think of about a million other women who will.)
Of course, she said YES!
Reaction to the Epic Proposal
The proposal not only received love and applause from excited bystanders, but it also received love from millions of online viewers who were reminded that there is no time limit on true love.
"It is NEVER too late for LOVE!! Be brave in LOVE!! How exciting for both of them," one commenter wrote.
"They were meant to be, nor time, distance tore them apart. When 2 souls are meant to be they will find each other," wrote another.
"Ladies, this is our reminder to never settle for less than THIS 🥰🥰🥰," wrote a third.
As for Gambell, the look on her face says it all. She's just as happy with her man as he is with her. "It's wonderful because we don't have a lot of life left. And to be able to spend it in that way with this person is a dream come true," she shared.
The fact that these two were able to reconnect and find love again in their twilight years is beyond heartwarming. And just in case you're drowning in loveless cynicism, let this be the life jacket you need to remind you that it truly is never too late to find love and your own happily ever after.
More from Goalcast:
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark