Karen Thought They Had An Instant Connection
33 years ago, Karen Lynch accepted a shy invitation to go bowling with classmate Rick Hayward. After spending a lovely evening together at the local bowling alley, Karen excitedly waited for Rick to call and ask her for another date.
But that call would be a very long time coming...
As a teenager in Willow Grove, PA, Karen was beautiful and outgoing.
Rick's Shyness Gets In The Way
She thought her first date with Rick went great, and even described it as "having an instant connection."
Rick admitted to being smitten with Karen from the beginning.
The Second Date That Never Happened
“I wanted to go out with her again, but I was very shy in high school."
Every time Rick tried to summon up the nerve to call Karen, his shyness would get in the way.
Too Much Time Passes
He tried hard to overcome his timidity.
Rick explained, "Every time I went to pick the phone up I chickened out.
Rick Gives Up
Weeks went by…” After so much time had passed, Rick figured his opportunity for a second date was lost.
Rick confessed, “I finally said, ‘I can’t call her now.
Karen Was Heartbroken
It’s been far too long since that date, and she’s gonna be mad at me for not calling her.’ So, I gave up.”
After weeks went by, Karen knew the call she was waiting for would never come.
Two Young Loves Go Their Separate Ways
"I thought we had a good connection, so I was disappointed," she remembered.
Weeks turned into months, and months turned into years.
Each Went On To Marry & Have Children
As the time passed, both Karen and Rick graduated high school and moved on with their lives.
Rick and Karen went off to college. They both met their respective spouses there and were married soon after.
Both Divorced Around The Same Time
Rick and Karen had several children.
After several decades of marriage, both Rick and Karen ended up getting divorced.
Facebook Helps Them Reconnect
In 2010, Rick found Karen on Facebook and the two happily reconnected.
Rick was determined not to repeat his mistakes.
Rick Didn't Waste Any Time
After 33 years of regretting not having the nerve to call Karen, he knew this was a second chance.
What Would Life Have Been Like
Rich confessed to Rachael Ray in a February interview, "When I saw Karen on Facebook again I started thinking of maybe what could have been."
Rich decided he didn't want any more doubt.
The Call That Came 33 Years Later
“I finally got up the courage to ask her out on a second date 33 years later.”
Remembering the fun they had on their first date, Karen agreed to a second date.
Finding Out Why
But she couldn't help but wonder why Rick never called the first time.
Rick finally confessed to Karen the reason why he didn't call her for a second date all those years ago.
Reunited And It Feels So Good
Karen forgave him for losing his nerve.
It didn't take long for the pair to realize they were falling in love. Karen said, “Rick is an incredible person.
Love At Second Sight
He’s a gentleman. Best of all, he’s my best friend."
Rick felt the same way. “Karen brought love back into my life and made me feel whole again.
Rick Decides To Make Up For Lost Time
I don’t think I really knew what ‘your other half’ meant until now.”
Rick knew pretty quickly that he wanted to marry Karen.
The Proposal
To make up for losing 33 years, he decided to arrange a wonderful surprise proposal.
Will You Marry Me?
Rick took Karen to the jewelry store to do some light "ring shopping." While she was looking around, the store clerk handed Karen a ring.
Another Surprise For Karen
Rick slipped it on Karen's finger and asked, "Will you marry me?" As soon as Karen saw the ring, she knew she was going to say yes.
Rick took his soon to be bride to New York for what she thought was some dress shopping.
Rachael Ray Steps In
But little did she know, Rick had another surprise up his sleeve!
Their love story caught the attention of The Rachael Ray Show.
Surprise!
Host Rachael Ray didn't want Karen & Rick to have to wait another day to get married.
Karen thought they were on their way to a dress shop when Rick pulled out an iPad.
Getting Married The Next Day
On the iPad was talk show host Rachael Ray!
Rachael informed Karen they were to be married the very next day on their show.
Married On TV
Turns out all of Karen's friends and family were already in New York!
On the most romantic day of the year, surrounded by their friends and family, Rick & Karen exchanged vows in the studio of The Rachael Ray Show.