The Forever Fit class offered at South Beach Fitness in Indian Harbour Beach claims to help increase bone density, strength and stamina. It’s also described as a place to “make new friends.”
But two members found something much more than friendship last Thursday. As the 11:45 a.m. class was wrapping up, 81-year-old Joe McLaughlin of Satellite Beach asked 80-year-old Judy Bell for her hand in marriage.
She said yes.
The surprise proposal was planned in advance with the help of McLaughlin’s step-daughter, Laurie Elko of Melbourne, who stood outside the class, waiting for a signal to come in and present Bell with a bouquet of roses. “He was a great husband to my mother who passed away two years ago,” Elko said. “He really deserves to be happy.”
Longtime friends Carolyn and Arlin Massey of Indian Harbour Beach also stopped by ahead of the big moment, and waited quietly with Elko for the “signal” that class had ended and a question was about to be popped. In fact, everyone in class seemed to be in on the surprise about to happen – except for Bell, who appeared stunned and elated when the moment finally arrived.
McLaughlin laughed as he admitted the last 45 minutes of class had been the longest of his life.
As Bell sat before him, McLaughlin relayed his intentions with a heart-felt speech that included details of their first meeting a year ago, their first date, first kiss – and finally, a proposal.
“Love has whispered in my ear and I want to be with you every day,” he said as he knelt down, engagement ring in hand. Through tears of joy, Bell happily accepted.
After well-wishes and hugs from all in attendance, McLaughlin took a moment to extend his thanks to the gym’s co-owner Lesa Share, saying, “I owe all of this to Lesa because she got me in this class and I may never have met Judy if I wasn’t in it.”
For her part, Share said she is ecstatic for the couple. “When I first met Joe over a year ago, he would come in and only walk on the treadmill. He kept to himself,” Share said.
“I really try to get to know new members and when I learned he was a widower, I suggested he take the Forever Fit class to make some new friends.”
He agreed and took a spot in the back row – but soon noticed someone interesting in the front row. It was Judy. So, he asked her to coffee, then to dinner – and finally to spend the rest of her life with him.
“It’s true love,” said friend Carolyn Massey. “Ever since they met each other, their eyes have been twinkling.”