Amazing love story of women who waited 60 years to marry
manchestereveningnews.co.ukThe moment Hilary spotted Pauline Nowell walking along a beach in 1955, she knew she had found the one. Hilary was just 17 when she met Pauline, then 16, while on a family holiday – and almost immediately, there was chemistry.
But their relationship came up against society's disapproval of same-sex couples at the time. Despite being in love, the pair were not able to enjoy a full relationship until Hilary’s mother died when she was 70 – finally allowing her to be her true self. READ MORE: Mum urges parents to 'trust their instincts' after 'happy little boy' misdiagnosed then rushed to hospital for ventilator “It didn't matter that Pauline was a girl, I just was in love with her as a person,” Hilary said. “Despite disapproval, we continued to see each other.
It wasn’t long before I knew we were soul mates.” As gay marriage was not legal at the time, Hilary and Pauline exchanged rings in 1970 and made their own commitment to each other.
The pair bought their own home and moved in together in 1971, going on to have children. In 2014, same-sex marriage finally became legal – meaning Pauline, from Manchester, could finally ask Hilary to be her wife on Christmas Eve 2016. “I said 'Oh my God, finally,’” Hilary added. “Finally we're getting married.
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