IN In the United States a woman stumbles down the stairs of an airplane, falls into the arms of a stranger and marries him, giving birth to two daughters.
The incredible love story was told by the British newspaper “Guardian”.
In 1997, Haley is single, recently divorced and adjusting to her new life.
The young woman works for a technology company in San Francisco and spends her free time with friends. For a hot August weekend, she booked tickets to travel to Los Angeles.
The friendly company makes their way to the plane. Haley stays behind and starts running to catch up with the others. At this point she stumbles.
“I caught her before she hit the ground,” Shawn recalls.
How we met: ‘She tripped and I caught her before she hit the ground’ https://t.co/TYqQCzHOoU
— The Guardian (@guardian) December 5, 2022
He was 27 at the time, living in Santa Rosa and working in communications.
“I had noticed her while we were checking our bags and thought she was cute.”
Hayley sheepishly thanks her and disappears into the crowd. “My friends started joking about women falling for me,” Shawn smiles. After the flight, the two meet again. The young man informs her that she will participate in a concert at the “House of Blues”. “I knew he didn’t have tickets, but I just had to ask him. I can’t explain it. I was a little relieved when he told me he already had other plans.”
They separate and expect never to see each other again.
But a few days later they find themselves at the airport for the return flight. “I noticed her reading a book. She saw me too and smiled,” says Shawn.
When they land, the girl takes his number.
Hayley calls him a few days later and they set up an appointment.
“He showed up in a floral dress and I was blown away. That’s it,” laughs Hayley. “It reminds me of Cary Grant.”
The two go to dinner but barely touch the food. They can’t stop talking. Sean learns that Hayley was born in Britain and lived in Germany before settling in California. “I was blown away by her life. She seemed to like it too. I couldn’t believe it.”
They meet a few more times, but Hayley has her doubts. “Everything was moving very quickly,” she says, adding, “I had just gone through a painful breakup and her friends were very different from me.”
The young woman has to go to Canada for a few months and this gives her time to think.
After he returns, he and Shawn go out to dinner again. Then they realize they want to be together. “We really are complete opposites, but we complement each other.”
The two married the following year and had two daughters, born in 1999 and 2010.
The family lives in various parts of California, currently between San Francisco and Santa Rosa.
In 2020, a forest fire reduces their home to ashes. Two of their neighbors died in the fire disaster. “It was really scary,” the family says.
“I’m grateful that we were together and supported each other when we lost our home and through many turbulent times over the years. I don’t know what I would do without her,” shared Sean.
“I’ve always loved travelling, unlike him. What I love about us is that we’re so different and we learn from each other.”
“She’s the person who has never let me down,” concludes Hayley.
