Love comes in many forms — great loves, unexpected loves, old loves. In the following collection of stories, people discuss the love they have known in their lives — and the many surprising shapes and places in which it comes.
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Danny & Annie
Brooklynites Danny and Annie remember their life together and their deep, enduring love for one another — from their first date to Danny’s final days with terminal cancer.
Read the full transcript here.
Still the One
After 10 years of marriage and two children, Les and Scott GrantSmith were struggling. Les had a secret that caused him to fall into a deep depression, pulling away from his family. Finally, Scott confronted Les, and the GrantSmith family changed forever.
Read the full transcript here.
Going up
After 10 years of marriage and two children, Les and Scott GrantSmith were struggling. Les had a secret that caused him to fall into a deep depression, pulling away from his family. Finally, Scott confronted Les, and the GrantSmith family changed forever.
Read the full transcript here.
Walnut Street
When Sharon Adams moved back to her hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the late 1990s, she needed an electrician. She found a husband, Larry Adams, and together they embarked on a new undertaking: revitalizing their neighborhood one lot at a time. At StoryCorps, they remember how as their relationship grew, so did their involvement in the community.
Read the full transcript here.
What’s For Dinner?
When George Ju met Angela Rivas, he immediately knew she was the one. Just a few days after they met, the two began their lifelong journey together. After nearly 50 years of marriage, they continue to share their lives, laughter, and love for cooking.
Read the full transcript here.
A Life of Honor
When Joseph Patton joined the Navy in 1955, he had to serve in silence. At the time, the LGBTQ community could not be open while in the military. At StoryCorps, Joseph remembers the pride he took in his service and the beauty and joy that love has brought to his life.
Read the full transcript here.
Tough Choices
Tom Peters first locked eyes with JoAn Joseph at a party in 1999, and the two fell in love quickly. A couple of years into their relationship, JoAn became pregnant and they had to make a difficult decision. At StoryCorps, they reflect on that moment and their journey since.
Read the full transcript here.
Love Interrupted
Brandy Carpenter, 38, and De’Marchoe Carpenter, 41, began their romance in the summer of 1994. Brandy was 14 years old. De’Marchoe was 17. And Brandy had had a crush on him for years. But before they had their first kiss, De’Marchoe was arrested for a murder he didn’t commit in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At StoryCorps, De’Marchoe and Brandy talked about the toll his incarceration took — and continues to take — on their relationship.
Read the full transcript here.
A Risk for Love
Eddie Chang had just finished his junior year in college and was spending some time at his friend’s house in Chicago, when he got reacquainted with his friend’s older sister, E.F. Wen. Two years older than him, E.F. happened to be home for the summer. She was always the well-liked one around the community, and her playful, rebellious energy caught his eye. Eddie came to StoryCorps with their youngest daughter Tria to remember how it all started, and recount all that he still loves about his late wife.
Read the full transcript here.
A Love Song
This love story started with a song. It was Brooklyn in the late 1950s. Jay McKnight and his friends spent summer evenings outside, singing a cappella. And one night, Jay caught the ear of a girl named Andrea. Jay and Andrea McKnight came to StoryCorps in New York to talk about what happened next.
Read the full transcript here.
Love at First Sight
This love story started with a song. It was Brooklyn in the late 1950s. Jay McKnight and his friends spent summer evenings outside, singing a cappella. And one night, Jay caught the ear of a girl named Andrea. Jay and Andrea McKnight came to StoryCorps in New York to talk about what happened next.
Read the full transcript here.
“There Was No Hanky Panky”
A few months before their 70th wedding anniversary, Joel and Julia Helfman discuss how their childhood friendship blossomed into a love story that had stood the test of time.
Originally broadcast July 26, 2019, on NPR’s Morning Edition. Read the full transcript here.
Their Love for Each Other Grew into a Love for their Community
Sharon and Larry Adams remember how they met, and talk about renovating their community — brick by brick, home by home.
Originally aired February 15, 2019, on NPR’s Morning Edition. Read the full transcript here.
“We Mesh Together Like One”
In 1971 George Ju was working as a chef and running a Miami restaurant. One fateful night while cooking for an engagement party, he met Angela Rivas.
Originally aired March 19, 2021, on NPR’s Morning Edition. Read the full transcript here.
To Protect Our Love
Despite the legal restrictions on same-sex marriage in the 1970s, civil rights leader Bayard Rustin and his partner Walter Naegle found an unconventional way to legalize their relationship. Walter Naegle remembers their love nearly 33 years after Rustin’s passing.
Originally aired June 28, 2015, on NPR’s Weekend Edition., on NPR’s Morning Edition. Read the full transcript here.
A COVID Love Story
Months after their wedding, Namira and Omar Anani were forced to isolate when Namira contracted COVID-19. The couple looks back on a difficult year and how it ultimately brought them closer together.
Originally aired February 19th, 2021, on NPR’s Morning Edition. Read the full transcript here.
At First Glance
From the moment that he came into her office, Colleen knew that Max was a man she could happily stand beside. At StoryCorps, Colleen tells their daughter, Meaghan, about the life that they built together and the obstacles that they overcame.
Read the full transcript here.
A Teenage Romance, Rekindled After Three Decades
As teenagers, Lori Daigle and Liz Barnes shared a kiss that left them with a feeling of “crazy, chaotic excitement.” After 30 years apart, they found their way back to each other.
Originally aired March 8, 2019, on NPR’s Morning Edition. Read the full transcript here.
The Love Season: StoryCorps Animated Shorts
Just Like Yesterday
Working as a housekeeper in a new country far from her family, Tabinda caught the eye of her future husband — Tariq Sheikh.
Two By Two
Identical twins Hunny and Bunny Feller were waitressing at a hotel in the summer of 1946 when they fell in love with another set of twins who were working as musicians.
A Life, Complete
John, 100, and Jerry, 72, are military veterans who served in WWII and Vietnam, respectively. They were married in the veterans home where they now live.
You Move Me
Jay McKnight was singing outside one summer evening and caught the ear of a girl named Andrea. They share how their childhood romance became a lifelong partnership.
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