When the world appears to be melting down, and you wonder about what the future holds, think about two people who have lived through nearly eight decades on the earth but are still optimistic about the future. While young Millennials and Gen Z are shaking in their boots about what the future holds, these two decided to embrace the adventure by leaping into marriage for a second time — after only 30 days of dating. When you know, you know.
A winter romance is the subject of this week's Feel-Good Friday.
Dale Pitsenbarger and Mae Clemons, both 78 years old, were introduced at church on May 31, 2025. Clemons' grandson wanted his widowed grandmother to meet Mr. Pitsenbarger, who was also widowed. Who knew the kid was a matchmaker. Apparently Pitsenbarger's friends had been talking up Clemons, and insisted that he must meet her.
Of course, it was love at first sight.
Clemons was smitten by "how handsome" Pitsenbarger was while "everyone was teasing him and told him he needed to meet her."
The duo was admittedly a little rusty when it came to dating because neither had gone out on a date since their previous marriages. However, everything went off without a hitch and there were instant sparks on their first date on June 6. About one month later, they got engaged on July 5.
Clemons says she knew Pitsenbarger was the one because he rang the doorbell and brought her flowers on their first date. For him, it was the next morning because he "couldn't stop thinking about her."
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That was it. After the death of their spouses, both Clemons and Pitsenbarger thought they would never love again. However, If there was any resistance to embarking on a new relationship, it quickly gave way to surrender. At this late stage of their lives, they opened their hearts to love again. Pitsenbarger wasted no time with getting engaged, and they both wasted no time in getting married; after all, at 78 you don't have much time to waste. There was no, "let's go to City Hall," or quickie nuptials. According to the photographer Hailey Kinnamon, Clemons and Pitsenbarger pulled out all the stops and spared no expense for their dream wedding. How sweet is that?
Kinnamon, 37, shares that Clemons "wanted the whole nine yards for her wedding." From the flower toss to the wedding garter, Clemons had it all. She and Pitsenbarger were joined by all of their loved ones, including their closest friends, who likely didn't expect to be in a wedding party again, but happily accepted their roles as bridesmaids and groomsmen.
"They didn't want to cut back on anything because this was a day they both had been dreaming about and a rare opportunity to have all of their families together," Kinnamon says.
Clemsons' and Pitsenbarger's wedding day was September 13, 2025, less than four months after they met. The ceremony was held at The Four Seasons Barn in Cardington, OH, a gorgeous outdoor venue surrounded by forest, with 115 guests as witnesses. Clemsons' bridesmaids prayed over her before the ceremony, and Clemsons' son walked her down the aisle. From the photos shared exclusively to PEOPLE Magazine, both were a puddle of tears.
Pitsenbarger and Clemons skipped having a first look, both wanting to save the special moment for their outdoor ceremony. The groom tells PEOPLE that the wait was worth it because seeing his bride walk down the aisle was his favorite memory.
"As soon as she saw Dale at the end of the aisle, her expression changed to a permanent smile for the rest of the evening," Kinnamon says.
The Four Seasons Barn shared this reel from their ceremony, and the smiles never ended. That's a fabulous thing.
I love Ralph Waldo Emerson, and the newly-married Pitsenbargers so embody this quote from my favorite Emerson poem: "This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays." My greatest wish is that Dale and Mae Pitsenbarger continue to see many new days, fresh hopes, and invitations to experience the joy that they've found in each other.
Editor's Note: At RedState, it's not all about politics and policy. We like to bring attention to what's good in the world, with columns like "Feel-Good Friday," "Start Your Weekend Right," and "Hoge's Heroes."
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