Letter lost for 10 years rekindles love

PAIGNTON, England, July 20 (UPI) -- A couple who first met 17 years ago said they have finally married following a 10-year lull involving a lost letter, the British groom said.

Steve Smith, 42, said he and Carmen Ruiz-Perez, 42, met and fell in love 17 years ago in Devon, England, while Ruiz-Perez, a native of Spain, was involved in a foreign study program, The Times of London reported Monday.

Smith said the initial year-long relationship ended when his beloved moved to Paris, but he never stopped thinking about her and eventually sent a letter to Ruiz-Perez's mother's address in Spain with the hopes of rekindling the romance.

However, Ruiz-Perez's mother put the letter on her mantle, where it fell behind the fireplace and went undiscovered for 10 years until the fireplace was taken apart for renovations.

"When I got the letter I didn't phone Steve right away because I was so nervous. I nearly didn't phone him at all. I kept picking up the phone then putting it down again. But I knew I had to make the call," Ruiz-Perez said.

Smith, of Paignton, England, said more than a decade apart had not cooled their passions for one another.

"When we met again it was like a film. We ran across the airport into each other's arms. We met up and fell in love all over again. Within 30 seconds of setting eyes on each other we were kissing. I'm just glad the letter did eventually end up where it was supposed to be," he said.

The couple married last week.