Helen Colton and Mitchell Massalem’s love story goes back a long, long time.
The year was 1967; the place was the Beach Club in Beirut, Lebanon. Mitchell was visiting his family. Helen was vacationing with two girlfriends. Neither had any inclination they were about to meet the loves of their lives.There I was on the beach in my bikini,” says Helen, her eyes sparkling with the memories of that day.
The two quickly discovered they were both from New York and had so much in common – and immediately started dating. Decades went by and they were still together – just not as man and wife.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that the delay in getting to the altar had anything to do with the groom having cold feet. “ I would have married her in a minute. But Helen is a modern woman. In a time when career women were far and few between, Helen was determined to rise up in the ranks, and she did just that. Starting as a door to door sales girl for Tide, she eventually worked her way up to becoming vice president at a Madison Avenue advertising agency. Helen was and is a totally independent and modern lady.”
“It was all about timing,” says Helen. I loved him dearly but I knew I would know when the timing was right.” And Saturday, June 9, 2012 was the time . They are now in their late 80’s.
The ceremony was simple and small but beautiful. Hand in hand on the beach in Naples, Florida the couple recited their vows, barely audible above the sound of crashing waves, but it didn’t matter. Their Promises were meant for no one else, just each other.
At the end of the ceremony they turned to face their guests and Mitchell looked at his new bride and smiled saying, “She’s the best thing that ever happened to me!”
Helen smiled back at him with just a touch of sarcasm and said, “Now you’ve got me for life!”Helen Colton and Mitchell Massalem’s love story goes back a long, long time.
The year was 1967; the place was the Beach Club in Beirut, Lebanon. Mitchell was visiting his family. Helen was vacationing with two girlfriends. Neither had any inclination they were about to meet the loves of their lives.
There I was on the beach in my bikini,” says Helen, her eyes sparkling with the memories of that day.
The two quickly discovered they were both from New York and had so much in common – and immediately started dating. Decades went by and they were still together – just not as man and wife.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that the delay in getting to the altar had anything to do with the groom having cold feet. “ I would have married her in a minute. But Helen is a modern woman. In a time when career women were far and few between, Helen was determined to rise up in the ranks, and she did just that. Starting as a door to door sales girl for Tide, she eventually worked her way up to becoming vice president at a Madison Avenue advertising agency. Helen was and is a totally independent and modern lady.”
“It was all about timing,” says Helen. I loved him dearly but I knew I would know when the timing was right.” And Saturday, June 9, 2012 was the time . They are now in their late 80’s.
The ceremony was simple and small but beautiful. Hand in hand on the beach in Naples, Florida the couple recited their vows, barely audible above the sound of crashing waves, but it didn’t matter. Their Promises were meant for no one else, just each other.
At the end of the ceremony they turned to face their guests and Mitchell looked at his new bride and smiled saying, “She’s the best thing that ever happened to me!”
Helen smiled back at him with just a touch of sarcasm and said, “Now you’ve got me for life!”
