Harold & Michele Buchanan

Harold’s first Camp Widow was six months after losing his wife of 42 years to cancer. His doubts about attending were quickly dispelled when Michele and Dana recognized his terror and comforted him. On his second camp, he attended the Love after Loss workshop. He could not imagine ever wanting to love again but wanted to keep an open mind. Two years later, he attended the same workshop with his new friend of three months, Michele Bell.

For Michele and Harold, it was comfort at first sight when they met on a trip to Cape Cod. Michele’s cousin was a close friend of Camille’s and invited her to go to on the trip after another friend had to cancel. Having been divorced for many years and not actively dating, she was reluctant about vacationing with a stranger. However, she loved to travel and was intrigued to meet this friend who shared her interest in nature, bicycling and travel. The fact that the trip was to honor his late wife, further piqued her curiosity.

Harold asked Camille to send him a sign if she approved of Michele. A day later, he glanced at Michele and the song he asked for played on the store intercom. Harold and Michele feel that they have been blessed to find love again so late in life. They became engaged in September and plan to marry next year.