Man Donates Wife's Wedding Dress With Sweet Note

A cream-colored, lace wedding dress has become the catalyst for an widespread search for an elderly mystery man. The dress, estimated to be from the 1950s, was donated to a branch of St. Gemma's Hospice charity shops in Leeds, England, on Monday, and, with it, workers found a note from the anonymous donator. The sweet note found attached to the wedding dress reads, "I wish any lady who takes this dress to have a life with her loved one. 56 years like I did. Happy years. I was a lucky man to marry a lady like mine."

I’ll pause while you look into the distance and sigh longingly.

Workers at the shop posted images of the note and dress to social media, where it has become popular with followers, sparking a search for the mysterious donor. Nicola Woodgate, Head of Marketing and Communications at St. Gemma’s Hospice, told the Mirror, "What we really want to do is track down who this individual is and maybe see a photograph of his wife wearing the dress at the wedding." The dress is currently for sale from the hospice on eBay, where it is listed as being “in great condition for its age.”

This story demonstrates that, although movies and novels tend to glamorize young love, some of the most romantic stories and sweetest moments come from older people. Check out these lovely couples, and prepare to say “Awwwww” the whole way through:

This piano playing duo

Fran & Marlo Cowan, married 62 years at the time this video was shot, treat bystanders in the Mayo Clinic atrium to a jaunty tune.

These two, who crack each other up

Is there anything better than being with someone who makes you laugh All. The. Time?

This couple singing "You Are My Sunshine"

Get your tissues: This video shows 86 year-old James Pinegar singing to his wife, Colleen, 85, to whom he's been married for 66 years. The seriously ill Pinegar asks is wife to come closer and says, “This is special to me,’’ and starts singing "You Are My Sunshine" to her.

This old couple owning the dance floor

Seriously, these people can move.

The couple in this "Modern Love" story

In a 2013 edition of The New York Times "Modern Love" column, Eve Pell recounts her romance and marriage with Sam, which began when she was in her late 60s and he in his late 70s. You should read the whole thing, but I love this part:

Old love is different. In our 70s and 80s, we had been through enough of life’s ups and downs to know who we were, and we had learned to compromise. We knew something about death because we had seen loved ones die. The finish line was drawing closer. Why not have one last blossoming of the heart?

This couple who have been wearing matching outfits for over 30 years

Mel and Joey Schwanke have been married for over 65 years, and for more than half that time, they've been wearing matching outfits. If that doesn't say "love," I don't know what does.

Images: St Gemma's Hospice Charity Shops/Facebook; Getty Images(2)