In a heartwarming tale of love that transcends age, Rich Foetu Tomkinson,

 

 

48, and Evie Boucher-Locke, 29, discovered their destiny together, unaware of a surprising connection from the past.

Their love story began in a local bar in July 2018 when Rich, a bartender, served Evie a few drinks. Little did they know that this chance encounter would lead to a profound connection.

By October of that year, they officially became a couple, and their deep affection for each other blossomed. In February of the following year, they took a significant step and moved in together.

As their love story unfolded, they stumbled upon an astonishing revelation. When Evie introduced Rich to her mother, Sarah Owen, they both realized that their paths had crossed years earlier. Rich and Sarah had worked on the same street in the ’90s, and Rich had seen baby Evie being pushed in her stroller by her mother.

Rich shared his thoughts on this serendipitous connection, saying, “It was a bit freaky when I realized I’d met Evie as a baby, but I had no idea at the time. To us, age is merely a number, and matters of the heart choose their own course.

Their age difference, nearly 20 years, sometimes led to amusing mix-ups, with people mistakenly assuming Rich was Evie’s father. However, the couple’s strong bond and love for each other remained unshaken.

“I’ve been mistaken as Evie’s father before, but most people can see how well we click. The 19-year age gap doesn’t cause a problem to us at all,” Rich explained.

Evie was instantly drawn to Rich’s warm personality when they first met, and their connection deepened. They remained in touch, with Rich inviting Evie to participate in a charity event he was organizing.

When Evie went on vacation, Rich’s longing for her became evident. Their feelings for each other grew stronger, leading to a deep and unbreakable connection.

However, their love story faced a challenging chapter when Rich’s father was diagnosed with cancer in October 2018 and passed away during Christmas. During this emotional time, Evie’s unwavering support solidified their bond.

Rich knew he wanted to make their love official and proposed in a heartwarming moment in front of a crowd of 1,000 people at their local theater. He popped the question during a documentary screening at a charity event he had organized in March 2019, and Evie enthusiastically said, “Yes.”

Their journey continued, and after a little over a year of dating, they got engaged and are now expecting their first child. However, their wedding plans faced unexpected challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Originally set for June 2021, their wedding had to be postponed. Tragically, both Rich’s mother and Evie’s father passed away within six weeks of each other. The couple decided to cancel the event altogether as they couldn’t imagine their special day without their beloved parents.

Although navigating these difficult times was incredibly tough, they eventually received reimbursement from their insurance and married in a more intimate ceremony, followed by a joyous party with 200 guests.

“Marrying Evie was the best day of my life, and I’m so excited to have a baby with her,” Rich said, emphasizing their happiness and the love that surrounds them.

Looking to the future, Evie believes Rich will be an incredible, hands-on father, even if people occasionally mistake him for a grandfather.

As they embark on this new chapter together, the couple remains unshaken, knowing that love knows no bounds and can conquer any challenge that comes their way.