Bridge of Flowers A
On the way home we discovered one of the most beautiful places in all of New England, the Bridge of Flowers, which spans the Deerfield River in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. Built as a trolley bridge in 1908, it was literally transformed into a bridge of meticulously tended flowers in 1929. And to this day, over 500 varieties of plants assure beautiful flowers, from April tulips through chrysanthemums in October. The area was originally known as Salmon Falls, a favorite Native American fishing spot. It is a must for lovers of nature and all other lovers as well.

Both of us, and Bob and Laura, look forward to your happy ending.

concerned singles

Warmly,
Rodelinde and Jack
Concerned Singles logo

A Concerned Singles Wedding

Rodelinde, Bob, Jack, Laura
L to R -- Rodelinde, Bob, Jack, Laura

Laura Butler joined Concerned Singles and asked us to post her self-description:

JAPAN SWF, 50. Contented, warm-hearted, overseas teacher on large Air Force base, two adopted grown Asian daughters, lover of different cultures, books, movies, and the wonders of nature. Looking for someone interested in relocating to Japan, but spending summers in North America. Basic beliefs are in balance, laughter, fate, honesty, simple living, and life is what you make it.

Bob Ferrier's membership had expired but his self-description lived after him:

M-[ ]-NH (Southern) Widowed WM, 49, 5 4", 145#. Two very independent teenage daughters. Gentle, sensitive, communicative, NS, LD. Optimistic. Spiritual, not religious, meditator. Aikidoist, lean toward Buddhism. Concerned with environmental and social issues. Liberal. Fit: hike, camp, kayak, xc-ski. Lover of music. I look at the world with a sense of joyous wonder. ISO kindred spirit to share and grow with.

Laura wrote to Bob and we forwarded her correspondence to him. (We're not fussy about forwarding mail to lapsed members. We do it all the time.) And Bob wrote Laura, and Laura wrote Bob. And so it began. And in May, Bob wrote us: "Thanks to Concerned Singles I have met a wonderful lady [Editor's note -- that would be Laura] and we are going to get married in July.

Then Laura wrote us: "Wow!! Thank You!! Thank You!! I have met the man of my dreams [Editor's note -- that would be Bob] through you. Will Send info on wedding celebration. Hope you can come."

On July 15, Bob and Laura were married in their co-housing community in Colorado. The following day they celebrated their marriage with a reception in Putney, Vermont, only two hours' distance from us, and we were honored to be among the guests.

We know (see our Happy Endings page) that a whole lot of Concerned Singles members find each other through our service. (And these are just the folks who take the time to write and tell us about their happy endings.) And over the years (going on two decades now) we've received dozens of wedding announcements. But Laura and Bob's celebration was very special to us because it was the first invitation we'd received, and it was lovely -- a beautiful day, a beautiful place, a truly beautiful occasion.

Laura and Bob wanted to share their celebration with you, as they did with us. They're the good-looking folks in front. The other couple also met through Concerned Singles.