48 years ago, on 5th January 1973, my life changed forever, in a way that I could never have expected. I was 18 years old.

I had met Lorraine, the previous year, when I went working in the Chemistry lab, in the Pathology Dept. at Bolton Royal Infirmary. Lorraine had taken it upon herself to arrange the Christmas do for the lab. It was to be a dinner and disco at the Pines Hotel, in Clayton-le-Woods. I didn't really see this as my type of thing and so was reluctant to go. Lorraine was very persuasive and eventually I agreed to go. As it was a posh do, I pointed out that I didn't own a jacket. Lorraine said that a shirt and tie would be OK. 

That evening, we were collected by the coach and taken to the hotel. Lorraine wore an amazing black velvet trouser suit with a frilly white blouse. She looked stunning with her long red hair. I was wearing an orange shirt with a bright fluorescent green tie, very early 70s, and feeling a little out of my comfort zone. I normally went out in jeans and a t-shirt. Lorraine was aware that I might not be enjoying myself and so took it upon herself to look after me. And so we spent most of the evening together. She even managed to get me to have a dance. The song was Brown Sugar by the Rolling Stones.

As we sat together, on the coach returning to Bolton, she asked me "Will you walk me home?" Now I knew she lived in Westhoughton, which was about 5 miles from Bolton and so responded with "What, to Westhoughton!" Not the most gallant reply. "No, I'm staying at my mums" she replied. "I have arranged for the coach to drop us at the end of her road". As this was a shorter walk (by a few miles) than going to Westhoughton, I agreed. We left the coach to cheers and jeers from the merry revellers who were still left. It was a freezing cold night and so I wrapped my coat around her as we walked. At her mums, she made cups of coffee to warm us up. We sat for a few hours just chatting away, happy in each others company. She only found out much later that I didn't like coffee and was surprised that I had drunk it.

As I had to work the next day, I reluctantly left and made my way home, to get a couple of hours sleep. As I walked home, all I could think about was this amazing, beautiful, fantastic, wonderful redhead who I had just spent several hours with. Little did I know then that I would marry her and spend 46 fabulous years with her.

The 5th January was always our special anniversary and tonights will be the first without her. 

Those years together were so precious and I'm glad we had that time together. I only wish it could have been longer.

I miss her so much.

Loving you forever, David xxx