A classic love story cut painfully short, Janice Rude and Prentiss Willson met as youngsters in college. Occidental College in Los Angeles, way back in the day!
Straight out of a romance novel, both were smitten and moved forward to a quick engagement. Little did they know that terrible surprises were just ahead, things that would change the very course of their lives.
Sadly, tragedy struck and separated the pair for decades. What came between them? And would they ever reunite as lovebirds in this earthly life?
Read on to see the shocking discovery that rekindled their romance 50 years later!
Destiny Begins
The story really begins when Janice was a sophomore majoring in biology, and Prentiss was a freshman getting used to his home away from home.
A chance encounter in the cafeteria in 1962 brought them together in the same room for the first time. Right away, sparks flew!
Janice was working there at her student job, and she was hard to miss even as a cook. Locking eyes, neither could look away! Big blushes all around, the two were inexperienced.
Would that hold them back, though?
Lovely Lunch Lady
Janice was working to pay for school, as she had come from a humble household in Reno. There, her father had instilled hard work as a value very early in life.
He never actually envisioned this as college life, but would he support this new fangled track for his daughter?
Indeed, the definition of success was changing in America. Mr. Rude did end up cheering her decision to enroll at Occidental College to pursue biology. What about Prentiss, though?
President Prentiss
Prentiss actually came from a very well to-do family, and they always expected him to enroll at a university. No question about it, young Willson!
He pursued a law track right away, and began climbing the social ladder in the Greek scene on campus.
Quickly, he became the president of Kappa Sigma! It was still early in life to plan out love, even if everything else was pretty calculated so far. Prentiss had no idea he was about to take a major detour!
Character Counts
As frat president, Prentiss made some serious decisions for his age. Social clashes in many areas of life increased as integration really began.
When a black student wanted to join the club, the national organization vetoed his application automatically.
Prentiss was disgusted, and decided Kappa Sigma would leave! The chapter became independent and local.
Due to his leadership, the black student was able to join. And Prentiss has plenty to do running things with even more responsibility. Did he even have time for love?
Early Bird
Janice was lucky that her father could help a little bit with tuition, though it was nothing like the assistance Prentiss received.
Working in the cafeteria to pay off the rest meant that she had to take out some social time, and even some sleep!
The job required Janice to arrive pretty early, of course. Prentiss noticed her schedule, the clever guy he was. He actually started showing up early, too! How did he make his first move to court her, old school style?
A Beautiful Bond
Slowly, the small talk turned into real conversation. Prentiss would later recall the cafeteria meetings as love at first sight!
Every morning, he woke up early just to be the first one in line. This usually meant 6 am!
Prentiss reflects now: “I believe we were simply meant to be. I even remember the first time I laid eyes on Janice."
Not many people even have such memories of young love these days! The energy was clearly real, and both cherished their morning encounters.
If Prentiss didn't show up, Janice would become worried! Where did he know to find her, most mornings in that big room?
Morning Muse
Prentiss had no idea, but Janice secretly looked forward to these meetings just as much as him. She loved to work at the cereal bar because she thought she couldn't miss him there!
Every morning, she had to check the schedule board to see what station she was assigned to for the day.
She couldn't always choose, but Prentiss was probably determined to find her anyway. But wait, did they even know each other's names at this point?
Beautiful Stranger
After weeks of this game, they still hadn’t asked for first names! Prentiss was willing to be first in line at the cafeteria to meet her anyway. Nowadays, can anyone picture this with so much social media available?
After his morning run, he scuttled right down to the place he knew she would be already. But the truth was, Prentiss didn't believe things would ever go past the breakfast glances or polite chats. Why not, Mr. Kappa Sigma?
Out of His League
Even though the two were obviously interested in one another, Prentiss still felt that he wouldn't get anywhere. He explains now: “I actually didn’t think I had a chance with her. She was a year ahead of me and just so beautiful."
But what Prentiss didn’t know was that Janice was also falling for him, social conventions on age be damned.
Her very morning revolved around her interactions with him, and the butterflies could not be denied. Would either have the courage to take the next step?
Say My Name
After three and a half weeks, Prentiss finally learned the name of his crush: Janice Rude. He hoped she would find out his, as well!
When she finally did, it was courtesy of the news! Because of the controversy with his fraternity leaving the national chapter for a black student pledge, Prentiss Willson was a known guy around the media.
This was pretty exciting stuff, and she hoped to talk to him more at a big social event coming up soon. Would she get the chance?
Turkey Time
Before Thanksgiving, Occidental College always held a pre-holiday dinner for the students. What a great way to celebrate together! And more so, to get to know new faces and names before the big break and home visit.
Janice was naturally excited for the dinner, since her favorite guy would be there waiting in line at the cafeteria where she worked.
She started her shift as usual on the day of the meal, but Prentiss was uncharacteristically missing. Why, though?
Desperate Detective
Was something wrong? Had Prentiss lost interest? Janice had to know more!
Cleverly, she found one of his friends to get the low down. Nothing was wrong, it turned out. Prentiss had merely returned home early to see his family!
Janice found his off-campus address and came up with a plan. What was she scheming?
Road Trip
In a bold move, Janice jumped into her car and began driving towards the address she now had.
As it turns out, Prentiss lived nowhere near campus. He resided in Santa Maria, which was around 160 miles from Occidental College!
Nothing could stop her, and she drove three hours humming along to the radio. When she finally made it to his door, she hesitated. Was this all a big, embarrassing mistake?
Crazy For Love
Janice froze at the door, realizing she had just made a really crazy move. Yes, she chatted with this boy in the cafeteria. But she hadn't even called! Who does that?
Was anyone even home? And what about his family? Her mind racing, she finally knocked on the door. Prentiss opened it, and their eyes met. Was he shocked, or overjoyed to see her?
A Pleasant Surprise
As it turns out, both! Prentiss couldn’t have been happier to find any other surprise guest on his doorstep.
He had actually been sitting on the sofa reading a book at the time. But his mind was wandering to his memories of Janice!
Much to her delight, she was invited in to join the whole family for Thanksgiving dinner. The plan had worked! But would The Willson elders think as highly of her as their son did?
Smooth Sailing
Indeed, they loved Janice right way. Connecting over a delicious dinner, Prentiss recalls his mother actually loved her the instant they met! Janice was a clever girl showing up, it turned out.
Thanksgiving dinner was the turning point for these two shy youngsters.
In the weeks that would follow, everything would change on campus with their interactions. What was the next step for students during this conservative era?
Closer and Closer
Returning to campus after Thanksgiving break meant that they had more time to spend together every day. Before, they had restricted themselves to the cafeteria line. But now, it was turning into much more!
Janice and Prentiss became inseparable, and people started to take notice. Two peas in a pod, they smiled and walked around the college together.
It seemed like nothing could come between them, and Prentiss was ready to take the next big step soon. What would it be?
The Big Question
Prentiss Willson got down on one knee and proposed. Despite the fact that they both knew each for a few months at most, it just felt right.
Even though there hadn't been a lot of talking at the beginning, they felt like they really knew each other after the quick courtship.
Janice accepted, and the two were overjoyed! A real romance is hard to come by, and they cherished the luck they had with this union.
Little did they know that someone would come between them very, very soon. Who, and why?
Ignorance is Bliss
As a newly engaged couple, Prentiss and Janice couldn’t have been any happier. More and more time let them get to know each other even better. And the more they knew, the more they loved!
How could anything stand in their way? On top of the world, they saw their charming lives together just ahead after graduation.
But soon, Mr. Rude decided to intervene and put a stop to the entire affair. Why would anyone try to get in the way of true love for Janice, let alone her father?
Things Get Sketchy
Janice Rude’s mother was happy about the lovebirds, But her father? Not so much, it turns out!
The idea of his daughter getting married young while she was still studying sounded like a terrible idea from his perspective.
He posed an ultimatum in January to pressure Janice to leave the relationship. It was her choice, but not an easy one. Either break up, or stop receiving tuition assistance altogether!
Mr. Rude said he would not pay for the next semester if she didn't get her act together and focus on studies alone. What would she do?
Passive Aggressive Ploy
Shocked by her father’s demand, it was hard to process what was going on. It seems her father really intended to intervene in her engagement, which had already been announced in the newspaper!
But wait, Janice now looked closely at the wording her father had submitted.
At the end, it stated: “no date has been set for the wedding.” Now, she realized the phrasing was totally intentional.
And without at least partial financial backing, she couldn't finish college! What was she supposed to do now, without family support?
Weighing Costs
The young couple was heartbroken that they were being put in such a difficult position. Education was key, but prioritizing love shouldn't have been so offensive!
Janice was determined to finish her degree, but could she have it all? Madly in love with Prentiss, she didn't know how to handle this conflict.
Mrs. Rude decided to help in the best way she could. She certainly didn't view this as a tragedy, and she stepped up to alleviate the financial pressure. What was her plan?
Impossible Choices
Mrs. Rude really wanted to give her daughter hope, and she made a big move to find the tuition bill that was coming.
Taking out a second mortgage on the family house, she hoped this would be enough to help Janice with her relationship and education.
Sadly, it wasn’t enough. Now, Janice had to decide to leave school or stay with her fiance. A motivated biology enthusiast in an era where women didn't often get higher degrees, she wasn't able to just quit.
Janice broke off the engagement! What happened next to this heartbroken young girl?
A Tragic Outcome
Yes, Janice did meet her goal. She went on to get her biology degree from the prestigious Occidental College, but she could never shake the feeling that she had somehow made a mistake.
Janice reflects now: “Prentiss and I should have taken his mother’s advice at the time, which was to elope. I became fearful that Prentiss would be attracted to smarter women if I didn’t get a college degree.
He did not understand my angst, and so we went our separate ways.” What happened to Prentiss, after the big breakup?
Hello Harvard
After Occidental College, Kappa Sigma president Prentiss went on to even bigger things. Harvard Law School was next, and he became a successful tax attorney in the Bay Area.
Janice went on to run the Rude family business, which was a diving board company. This wasn't just any brand, as it turns out.
The project was so successful under Janice that she was inducted into the USA Diving Association Hall of Fame! Both sounded pretty busy as the years and decades went by, but had they really forgotten that loving feeling?
Life Goes On
As life often has it, both ended up marrying other people in the end.
They were both California residents, and the occasional run-in did happen. When this occurred, they brushed it off as an encounter with an old friend. Both were married, after all!
But wait: 47 years later, Janice and Prentiss both found themselves later life divorcees. And soon, both of their mothers died within a few months.
Now, they suddenly had two big tragedies in common. Would they find a new way to relate?
Back in the News
Going through the possessions of a loved one after their death is always an emotionally difficult process. Both Janice and Prentiss had to do this at the same time, and they both discovered the same thing during this activity.
Somehow, Mrs. Rude and Mrs. Willson had both kept the original newspaper announcement from decades ago.
It was obvious that quite a few people grieved the end of their relationship besides them. Janice's mother even kept a copy of it in her purse!
They decided to reach out to each other during this difficult time. What could be wrong with that?
True Love Lasts
It was rather emotional to realize that both their mothers had been so sad at the time, now late in life. Prentiss reached out to his old flame, and she agreed to meet him at a local restaurant in San Francisco.
It had been many decades since their first date, and who knows how things would feel at this point?
Both secretly wanted to know if the spark was still alive. And quickly, it was obvious. The answer was yes! Janice and Prentiss began dating again after the small delay of 47 years. What was the obvious next step?
Magic and Matrimony
After six lovely months of dating, the engagement was back on! In 2012, Janice Rude and Prentiss Willson finally had an August wedding.
The ceremony took place right on the Occidental campus, surrounded by former classmates. Nowhere else would have been appropriate!
Janice has been interviewed about their reunion, and it truly is touching to hear. She reflects now: “We lament every day that we missed being together...That’s about 17,500 days – but who’s counting?”
Now, the older lovers cherish every moment together. Life is short, and love is everything!