WWII was a major part of not only US history, but of world history. People were falling in love, but the people they were falling in love with were being deported to war, leaving them behind. Once the war was over, it was hard for people to find their loved ones. That’s when recently something magical has happened.
Norwood Thomas was a solider that was stationed in London during World War II, and he had met a girl named Joyce Morris who had been living there. He was 21 and she was 17. It was basically love at first sight; they were two young people in love. Norwood Thomas said in a recent video to CBS News “I’m not sure how long we dated, but I know I was sure smitten.” He recalled Joyce being the girl he wanted to marry, even though they were such a young age he knew it was the girl he wanted to marry. It wasn’t until 1939, when World War II started. He had to leave France to defend the country, and she became a nurse. They had a miscommunication and ended up having a falling out. It was probably a heartbreaking moment, that they both lost touch and they were so in love. Once the war ended Norwood went to the United States, without Joyce. He had sent Joyce letters asking her to come to the United States, but she kept denying it.
Norwood and Joyce both ended up going off and marrying different people. Norwood told CBS News that his past wife was “a good women, who helped get my messed up head straight.” Norwood and his past wife had three kids together. After his wife passed away, he started to have thoughts about where Joyce had been. Strange enough Joyce began to have the same thoughts about where Norwood was. Joyce had one of her kids look up Norwood to see if he was still alive, and ended up emailing one of Norwood's sons.
When they found out they were both still alive, their children decided they had to do something about it. There was one catch; Norwood lives in Virginia Beach, and Joyce lives in Australia. With all the great technology there is now, they decided to set up a Skype conversation with the two. 70 years later, it was time for the two to meet. Since they last saw each other, Joyce has lost much of her vision, and can’t see. While they were on Skype, they talked about their memories that they had from when they were young. They also talked about their lives and their families. Joyce said that she had a frame of Norwood on her dresser and she would say "Good Morning" to him every morning.
Norwood said how excited he was that he had this opportunity, but there was one thing missing from their meeting. The fact that he couldn’t “squeeze her” into his arms. According to CBS News, Barbara McDonald who served in the Navy, heard this story and she wanted to do something about it. So she decided that she was going to make a Go Fund Me page to help raise money to have Norwood see Joyce. There has been about 7,500 dollars raised for this. Air New Zealand generously donated a free flight to Australia to see her for Norwood and his son. Norwood told CBS News “To be able to see her after all these years, I am looking forward to that.”
This story is the true meaning of love, when people are in love and are separated and still find their ways back to each other. The two are supposedly going to be meeting on Valentine's day which is even more romantic.
