In the sun-drenched retirement communities of south Florida, where golden years often unfold in quiet routine, Harold Terens and Jeanne Swerlin have rewritten the script on romance. At 102 and 98 years old, respectively, the couple celebrated their first Valentine's Day as husband and wife with a bouquet of two dozen pink roses and a heartfelt love letter, a gesture that underscores their enduring passion. Terens, a World War II veteran from the Greatest Generation, and Swerlin, a spirited New York native, tied the knot in June 2024 on a Normandy beach, drawing thousands of well-wishers to witness what they describe as a once-in-a-lifetime connection.
Their story began in 2021 with a blind date arranged by friends, a setup that quickly blossomed into deep affection. 'It’s the greatest love I’ve ever known, by far,' Terens told the New York Post, his voice brimming with vitality despite his advanced age. Swerlin echoed the sentiment, recounting how Terens often says, 'I don’t know how I ever lived without you.' The pair, who met when both were in their late 90s, insist they feel like teenagers in each other's company, a claim backed by their playful admissions of not being able to keep their hands off one another.
Terens' life before Swerlin was marked by extraordinary highs and harrowing lows, shaped indelibly by his service in World War II. Enlisting in 1942 as a radio repair technician, he was stationed in Great Britain with a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter squadron. His duties extended to repairing planes on D-Day, the pivotal Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, which turned the tide against Nazi forces in Europe. According to Terens, he later participated in a secret mission that ended in a robbery in the deserts of Tehran, where he was left naked and fearing for his life until rescued by an American military police patrol.
These wartime experiences, detailed in Terens' memoir 'Tomorrow Will Be the Best Day of My Life', highlight his resilience as one of the last surviving members of his generation. Now a resident of south Florida, Terens lost his first wife of 70 years in 2018, a loss that left him widowed but not closed off to new possibilities. He maintains that he never looked at another woman until Swerlin entered his life, a declaration that speaks to the depth of his renewed commitment.
Swerlin, originally from New York like her husband, brings her own pluck to the partnership. 'It’s never too late to find love, especially a great love — look at us,' she said in an interview. 'You have to be open — love will find you.' The couple's wedding in Normandy was no ordinary affair; held near the historic D-Day beaches, it coincided with Terens' reflections on his past service. 'The day of our wedding is the greatest day I’ve ever experienced in 102 years of life,' Terens recounted, noting the cheers from thousands who gathered to celebrate the octogenarian—no, centenarian—lovebirds.
'My whole life changed. It went in a totally different direction,' Terens said, adding in French, 'I regret nothing. All the adjectives in the world can’t describe how I feel about her.'
Their union, however, isn't without its unique twists. Terens and Swerlin maintain separate homes about 30 minutes apart in south Florida, seeing each other roughly four days a week. This arrangement, they quip, is a key to their marital bliss. 'The best secret about a successful love affair and marriage is that we don’t live together,' Terens joked. 'We live happily ever after.' Despite the distance, their bond remains unbreakable, fueled by daily routines that keep them active—Terens still drives and meditates each morning.
Looking ahead, Terens has ambitious plans that blend personal milestones with historical remembrance. He intends to undergo a bar mitzvah ceremony this year, a rite of passage typically observed at age 13 in Jewish tradition, symbolizing his embrace of new chapters at any stage of life. In June, he will make his sixth visit to Normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day—wait, sources indicate the 87th, but given the timeline, it's the ongoing legacy of that 1944 event. The trip will allow the couple to revisit the site of their wedding, reinforcing the intersection of Terens' military past and romantic present.
For Valentine's Day this year, Terens' surprise of pink roses arrived with a personal note, a small but meaningful act in their daily ritual of affection. 'Every day is Valentine’s Day,' he declared, emphasizing that their love doesn't hinge on calendar dates. This philosophy extends to their advice for others seeking companionship later in life: stick to the fundamentals. 'Remember why you fell in love with a person, and don’t try to change them,' Terens advised, drawing from his own experiences of gratitude and growth.
The couple's tale resonates beyond their Florida enclave, offering a counterpoint to narratives of isolation in old age. In a nation where the elderly population is projected to reach 98 million by 2060, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, stories like theirs highlight the potential for joy and reinvention. Terens, who expresses thankfulness 'for every day I’m alive,' embodies this optimism, his book serving as a testament to a life well-lived and still unfolding.
While their romance is the stuff of headlines, it also underscores broader themes of survival and second chances. Terens' wartime close calls—from D-Day repairs under fire to his Tehran ordeal—contrast sharply with the peace he now shares with Swerlin. Friends and family who set up their blind date in 2021 reportedly saw the spark immediately, though details on the matchmakers remain private. The New York Post reported no conflicts in the couple's accounts, presenting a unified front of mutual adoration.
In south Florida's vibrant retiree scene, where communities like those in Boca Raton and Delray Beach buzz with social activities, Terens and Swerlin stand out not just for their ages but for their zest. Swerlin's youthful appearance belies her 98 years, and together they navigate the challenges of longevity with humor and hand-holding. Their story has inspired online buzz, with social media users sharing Valentine's posts echoing the couple's message of openness to love.
As Terens prepares for his bar mitzvah and Normandy return, the couple's future looks as bright as their past. 'Life was beyond remarkable, even before Terens met his plucky bride,' as one account put it, but now it's elevated to something truly extraordinary. In an era where loneliness affects one in three seniors, according to AARP reports, their example serves as a beacon, proving that true connection knows no expiration date.
Whether through shared history or simple surprises like roses, Harold Terens and Jeanne Swerlin continue to demonstrate that love, like the veteran himself, endures. Their Normandy wedding, with its echoes of D-Day heroism, fused personal triumph with collective memory, a fitting backdrop for a partnership that defies the odds. As they look toward more anniversaries, their advice rings clear: stay open, stay true, and let love find its way—even in the ninth or tenth decade.