Love Stories Archives - Page 8 of 8 - StoryCorps

Benny Smith and Christine Ristaino

In 2015, 11-year-old Benny Smith began feeling strange sensations in his body that felt like small electrical jolts. Soon after, the jolts began lasting longer and growing more intense—Benny was suffering with grand mal seizures (a condition characterized by loss of consciousness and muscle spasms).

The seizures would come at various times, including during the school day where the resulting falls led to multiple concussions.

Often, his mother, Christine Ristaino, would have to pick him up in the middle of the day and bring him home since his condition made it unsafe for him to be in a classroom. Soon after the beginning of sixth grade, Benny was forced to remain at home, being taught by a tutor. An outgoing social kid who loved being around his friends, to him this was one of the most difficult parts of the illness.

In January 2016, his condition began to improve and he was able to return to the classroom. Benny and his mom, Christine, came to StoryCorps to mark the occasion and discuss how he has lived with the seizures.

Originally aired February 12, 2016, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Scott Goodling and Andy Goodling

Six years ago, Andy Goodling was in college when he met his boyfriend, Bryan. They began dating, but since neither of them had come out as openly gay, they both went to great lengths to hide their relationship from their friends and family.

About two years ago, they secretly took a vacation together to Florida. While there they decided the time was right to begin telling their families about their sexuality and their relationship. Just days after their trip together ended, Bryan was hospitalized with a sudden illness and died shortly after.

Devastated, Andy decided it was time to start coming out to his loved ones so that he could openly mourn the loss of the man he loved.

At StoryCorps, Andy talked to his father, Scott, about his relationship with Bryan, and why he chose to keep it hidden for so long.

Originally aired January 29, 2016, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Nick Hodges and Charlotte Wheelock

In 2014, Nick Hodges and his wife, Charlotte Wheelock, were living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with their 4- and 6-year-old sons when Nick developed a condition—spinal stenosis—that caused him to be temporarily paralyzed from the waist down.

Already struggling to make ends meet, Charlotte took a leave of absence from her job to care for their children while Nick was hospitalized, and without any steady income, their family lost their home.

Charlotte heard about a job opportunity in another state, so their family packed up and relocated to Seattle, Washington, hoping for a new start. But before they could establish themselves in their new city, Nick ended up back in the hospital leaving their family once again unable to pay rent.

Homeless for 14 months, Charlotte eventually found steady work—she is now employed at one of the shelters the family once lived in—and in time they also managed to find affordable housing for their family.

At StoryCorps, Charlotte and Nick remember what it was like to be a family without a home.

Originally aired January 1, 2016, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Octavius Smiley-Humphries, Carole Smiley and Seth Smiley-Humphries

Hoping to meet someone special, in 2010 Seth Smiley decided to give online dating a try. Soon after posting his profile, Octavius Humphries reached out to him and they began an email correspondence.

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Despite their age difference—Seth is 19 years older than Octavius—they immediately hit it off, bonding over their shared search for “commitment, consistency, and (a) connection.”

Eventually they met in person, going on their first date on Christmas Eve. Unsure of Octavius’ plans for the holiday, Seth invited him to dinner the next night at his family’s Atlanta home. Octavius, who was still grieving the deaths of his parents, had, unbeknownst to Seth, planned on spending the holiday alone. Instead, he reluctantly accepted Seth’s invitation.

At StoryCorps, Octavius (above left) and Seth (above right), along with Seth’s mother, Carole Smiley, sat down to remember their first Christmas together, as well as a more recent memorable holiday event.

Originally aired December 25, 2015, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Above photo: Seth, Octavius, and their son Julian (photo courtesy of the Smiley-Humphries family).

StoryCorps 10th Anniversary Update: Danny Perasa and Annie Perasa

For the 10th Anniversary of StoryCorps, we are revisiting some of our favorite stories.

perasa_originalWhen we first heard from Danny and Annie Perasa in August 2004, they talked about their first date, an on-the-spot marriage proposal, and their deep enduring love for each other. Danny also shared that he leaves daily love notes for Annie.

“To my princess, the weather out today is extremely rainy, I’ll call you at 11:20 in the morning. And I love you, I love you, I love you.”

In February 2006, Danny and Annie recorded another StoryCorps interview, but this time it was conducted in their Brooklyn home because as they revealed, he has a fast spreading form of pancreatic cancer.

“My dearest wife, this is a very special day. It is a day on which we share our love which still grows after all these years. Now that love is being used by us to sustain us through these hard times. All my love, all my days and more. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Not long after that interview, Danny died in his sleep at the age of 67.

Today, Annie, 71, still lives in that same apartment, and she recently recorded another StoryCorps interview to thank all those who have reached out to her over the years and let everyone know that while she misses Danny, she has his love letters and is doing all right.

Originally aired October 25, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Shaun Kaufman and Colleen Collins

Colleen Collins and Shaun Kaufman were both divorced and having a tough time finding work when they started dating in 2002. Eventually, tired of Shaun drinking and getting stoned all day, Colleen came up with the idea that they should start a private investigation agency. (Shaun has a law degree and had trained several PIs in the past.)

At StoryCorps, the couple who married in 2009 discuss their work and how it helped save their relationship.

Originally aired March 8, 2013 on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Louis Caplan and Harriet Caplan

caplan2_custom-87ffe9c5ecf368b3a6823c29fa61a58b0b932128-s400-c85Harriet and Louis Caplan’s love story began later in their lives. She was 48 and he was 56. Neither had ever been married before, but suddenly they found themselves together all the time and Louis proposed, so in 1995 they got married.

At StoryCorps, they talk about falling in love and the challenges they now face since Harriet was diagnosed with colon cancer and given a life expectancy of about two years.

Originally aired February 15, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Above: The Caplans at their wedding on May 27, 1995. Photo courtesy of Harriet Caplan.

Philip & Susan McClinton

Biologists Susan and Philip McClinton live just outside of Yellowstone National Park in Cody, Wyoming.

They’ve been there for more than a decade, studying snakes, bats and other animals.

But when they met in the fall of 1972, their lives were very different.