Love letters stolen 40 years ago returned to Calif. couple

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. A couple who've been married for 70 years is rekindling their romance after a Good Samaritan returned their love letters, which had been stolen from them more than four decades ago.

Lloyd and Marion Michael told CBS station KCBS in Los Angeles that they had written the notes to each other to help keep their relationship strong when Lloyd went off to fight during World War II.

"I just lived for the day when the postman would bring a letter," Marion said. "You know, it was the only way we communicated. The only way we had any touch with each other."

But the hundreds of love letters were stolen from their home 40 years ago, during a robbery.

Recently, a man who said he was also a veteran telephoned Lloyd and said he had tracked him down through the military. He said he had something of Lloyd's that he would probably want. The two parties met up at a local In-N-Out fast food restaurant and he returned the letters, just before the couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on New Year's Eve.

"And the man told me, 'I knew these had to get back to where they belonged.' And they came home," Lloyd said.

The Michaels said they hope to re-read their love letters to each other every day.

"It just has been extremely emotional for both of us," Lloyd said.

[legalbutunjust]

This story reminds me of a time back in 1999 when I discovered a slew of 'long lost' love letters between two young people in love who were, I believe, college students.

I was employed by a local sandblasting contractor and had been given access to an old commercial building that we were restoring. One day, when on a break, I was walking around the first story hallway of the large structure, and only about 20 or thirty feet from the front main door, I discovered an abandoned room that hadn't, I don't believe, been occupied for over 20 years.

I never knew for sure, but I have to think the place was shuddered for over two decades, and had previously been an apartment building/boarding house, and previous to that, some kind of factory I believe. I saw literally dozens of love letters scattered on the floor of this tiny room, many of them still in their envelopes sent through the postal service. It was just a small, one room boarding-like set up, with old, used candles and an abandoned mattress laying on the floor next to a few personal items. In addition, I discovered the couple had to have been husband and wife at some point, as I discovered a separate stack of greeting cards from various others sent to them, wishing them well and congratulating them on their marriage. It was very odd, the way this stuff I found had become discarded.

I could tell that it was likely the husband that had lived there at one time, but could never understand why he would have left these memories and correspondences behind. I don't recall seeing any actual photographs, but in all, there had to be around 60 or 70 letters and cards, dated from between 1976 or so to 1978 or '79. I could never understand why someone would have vacated and NOT take those items. It was very peculiar, perhaps one of the strangest things I've ever come across.

Also, why had nobody else ever noticed or removed the rooms contents after almost 25 years? It was weird, and the irony of it all perhaps, is the fact that the building's name, a commercial property recently purchased by an investor, was re-named the "Rose Building."

[Aine57]

"Couple surprised on their 70th anniversary when a man returned hundreds of letters that they had wrote to each other during WWII"

Please, please, please check your grammar when you publish. "Had WROTE" is incorrect usage, and should be replaced with "had written." Better yet, rephrase the entire subheader with: "Couple surprised on their 70th anniversary by the return of hundreds of letters written between them during WWII."

I know you mean well, but a little extra time would improve the way this sounds.

[Red_Stripe]

The Grammar police strikes again. You needs to find a better hobby!

[mitch0927]

AINE57,

The contents of the story is important, not the grammar. I used to get upset when people would misspell, or use poor grammar. I backed off because unlike you, most people are not perfect. Get off of your high horse and think of the kindness of the person in the story.