I am a long-time single-again woman who treasures her singleness, thoroughly convinced there are no reasons to want any other way. But in doing this story, I've discovered what some know as the obvious-love can be sweeter the second time around. And that second time can come at any age.

Bernie & Marion Close

Bernie and Marion Close moved to Alder Bay Retirement Center in Eureka last year when it opened. They had lived in Crescent City.

"We lived across the road from each other while Marion's wife was alive," said Bernie. "She and I were good friends. About a year after she passed on I was out in my yard working on a broken water pipe. I was covered with mud. Marion came over and asked what I was doing. When I told him, he finished the job. Then he was covered with mud too. I invited him in to wash up and have a sandwich. After lunch he invited me to the fourth of July fireworks that night. That was our first date.

"He proposed soon-and often. But I had my doubts about getting married, especially since he was seven years younger than me. Finally, one night I got down on my knees and prayed for an answer, then got up and walked across the road to Marion's house. I'd wasted enough time I asked him if he'd seen the beautiful moon outside and we went to the window to share the sight. With his arms around me he said, 'It is beautiful.' I answered yes. In fact I answered yes to everything he said.

"Finally he asked, 'Do all these yeses mean you'll marry me?' I said yes. We were married at my house, three months after our first date. Our children rented a cabin on the Oregon coast for our honeymoon. I've never been happier. I'd recommend a marriage late in life to anyone."

Marion agreed. "I'm glad I married her. She's a beautiful woman." It's been almost ten years for them.

Don & Adele Bragg

Don and Adele Bragg, both 73, just moved into Alder Bay from Fortuna. They've been married four years. Adele says Don and his wife were among the first friends of her first husband's that she met. When the men were out of town because of their jobs, the two women would often meet for lunch and became good friends. After retirement they moved to different parts of the state, and Adele was living in Fortuna when she was widowed. Later, after Don lost his wife, he was headed north from Hesperia on a trip. Adele invited him to stay overnight and break his trip. Adele says of that first visit, "We didn't even kiss." But she did decide he was the man she wanted. And she didn't waste any time.

When he got back home she called, and said, "Why don't you come up here and live with me." There was silence on the other end of the phone. Then she asked, "Well how about marrying me?"

Don got on his knees right then, proposed to her, and they were soon married.

Adele says, "I've had some health problems, and he takes such good care of me. I have to watch what I admire when we're out together, because every time I say I like something he buys it for me. He's a wonderful man."

Jean and Paula Wellington

Jean Wellington said of his year-old marriage to Paula Chernoff, "We're still dewy-eyed newlyweds."

Paula moved here from the San Francisco Bay Area where she had been an attorney on the State Board of Appeals. Jean, before retirement had taught in the McKinleyville schools. They first met when Paula was

starting a 3 a.m. music program on KHSU radio. The program director called Jean and asked him to listen, then call Paula and offer whatever support he could. He did, and was impressed with her.

Shortly thereafter he found himself seated next to her at the 1998 Retired & Senior Volunteer Program volunteer Recognition luncheon. According to Jean, he was even more impressed. A year later they were married.

Today they have built a shared life that is a melding of their many mutual interests. They both are deeply involved in music. Paula plays the flute, Jean says he plays the tape recorder. Between them they do three shows on KHSU. Jean hosts "Conversations" on Sundays and a classical music program. Together they host a program on music of the first 50 years of the 20th century.

They are committed vegetarians and do much volunteer work. Jean, himself sightless, leads two Low Vision weekly support groups. His example has helped many people realize that if he can do it, they can too. Currently the couple's biggest new project is getting ready for Paula's father to come join their household.

Rachel Windsong is following the call of June and looking at the singles section of the Sunday paper. Her e-mail address is windstar@northcoast.com