14 DAY TRIAL // This is a story that once more proves that love knows no age or boundaries, and romanticism will never die. Franco Gorno from Cardiff, Wales, makes a 100-mile round trip to a Neath bus stop every month to honor his sweetheart Joan, who died last year.
The grieving widower regularly leaves a bouquet of flowers accompanied by an emotional love letter on a wooden bench at the bus stop where he first met his late wife, and has managed to move villagers to tears.
His story has captivated south Wales, but his identity was a mystery until Franco's family decided to reveal who the mystery couple were, and tell about the man’s love for his wife, whom he met at the village bus shelter on a blind date, 64 years ago.
The widower’s poignant note, attached to a bunch of beautiful purple tulips, deeply impressed passers-by.
“Joan and I met right here in this shelter 2-3 weeks before Xmas 1950. We married two years after. Joan, my beloved, passed away on 9-3-2013 and broke my heart for ever! Rest in peace my darling. I’ll see you soon, I’ll be 87 soon so I will not be long... God Bless,” the message read, according to the Mirror.
Mr. Gorno, now aged 86, spoke of his devotion to his wife. He said he was devastated when Joan, aged 81, passed away last year, and decided to pay her a beautiful tribute making the monthly trip to place flowers at the exact spot where they first set eyes on each other.
“I do it because I know she is up there looking down at me. It is quite a journey for me, don't forget I am 86,” Franco said.
The man, who has four children and four grandchildren, first met Joan for a date in 1950, after a close friend set them up. They married two years later.
One of Franco’s grandchildren says that their grandfather is a very lovely and thoughtful person and mentions that he often told them about their beautiful love story.
The heartbreaking story of the widower and his touching unsigned note left many people teary-eyed. One of them was local resident Simon Watkins, who found the flowers and the note at the bus stop.
“I went to the bus station and there was a bunch of tulips tied to one of the benches in the shelter with a note attached to it. It was such a poignant note and full of love for his wife,” Watkins said.