Karen Sperduto shares the story of meeting and falling in love with her late husband
My sweetheart story began in 1974 when my husband and I were teenagers working together at a restaurant. I was immediately attracted to his caring personality and knew I wanted to get to know him better.
Our first date was a Beach Boys concert and the beginning of the rest of our lives together. We were married, raised two daughters and, after his retirement from the Philadelphia police force, moved to New Jersey.
His dedication to causes and helping others gave my life new meaning. We rode with Brothers for Flight 93 to raise money for the 911 memorial in Shanksville, PA and Warriors Watch, an organization that welcomes and escorts soldiers home.
I was married to my best friend for 38 years when he passed away from brain cancer. Life as I knew it was over and I had to find a way to go on. As I look back on life with my sweetheart, I realized that our love was euphoric and tragic, but being loved is what gave me the strength to go on.
My advice to other couples is that love is not always perfect and life is not always kind. There is no love without respect and true love never dies.
