A couple who reunited 30 years after a holiday romance are now set to move in together.
At age 17, Kate Pymm, from Guisborough, North Yorkshire, met Guenther Baer, from Germany, aged 23, when he was visiting Devon in 1989.
They penned love letters for two years after their initial encounter but ended up losing contact, going on to live their separate lives - both getting married and then divorced.
But during lockdown when Kate was sorting through her Christmas decorations, she came across the passionate letters and decided to track him down.
Now two years later, she is preparing to up sticks from the North East to Germany to join Guenther for good after they tied the knot.
Speaking exclusively with the Mirror last year, describing the moment they met, Kate, now 50, said: "I saw him across the room of a pub and there was an instant spark. He reminded me of the keyboard player from a-ha, who I had a massive crush on."
She was visiting Torquay with her mum and best friend while Guenther, now 57, was in the country to improve his English.
Kate continued: "We went for a coffee, then took a walk along Torquay Pier. I was smitten straight away.
"Guenther was tall, handsome, kind and interesting. The date ended in a kiss and I felt like I was already falling in love.
"Guenther and I were first loves – he was the first man I slept with, the first man I ever cared about.
"We were love's young dream. I felt I'd met my soulmate, and so did he."
The next day, Guenther had to leave the UK, so the pair exchanged addresses. They kept in contact for the following two years, writing letters and sharing phone calls, with the occasional visit.
But deciding long distance was too much, Kate called time on their relationship in 1993.
"It got to be so difficult, it was heartbreaking, we both loved each other but unfortunately it was me that called time. I just said I can't see a way to make this work," Kate added.
Kate went on to set up her own make-up business while Guenther went on to have three children. They both married other people and later divorced.
Despite her marriage, Kate admits that she never got over her 'first love' and kept all of his letters - of which more than 100 were sent between them, each signed off with 'I still love you'.
It was during the coronavirus lockdown in November 2020 that she stumbled upon them again when searching for Christmas decorations, and the emotions came flooding back.
She couldn't stop thinking about him and decided to find his address and send him another letter.
After that, she then received a phone call from a German number, which turned out to be Guenther.
Kate said: "I recognised it at once, and his laugh. In seconds, it was like the last 30 years never happened.
"I felt like a giddy teenager. All I wanted was to tell him I loved him – and always had. It took just a week before we both said 'I love you'".
After eight weeks of daily video calls, Guenther flew to the UK in January 2021.
The IT worker revealed he had previously tried tracing Kate under her maiden name but had gotten nowhere.
He said: "I only gave up a month before. Suddenly my brother handed me this letter. I was overwhelmed – and even more so when I saw her again. I remember it was a really sunny day and I thought, 'She's made the sun shine for me again'.
"When we met it was amazing, she was an even better version of herself. She is so caring, thoughtful and strong-minded."
Picking things up from where they left off, Guenther and Kate married in Bavaria in December 2021.
And this week, Kate is preparing to leave Teesside behind to finally start her new life with Guenther in Germany on Sunday.
Guenther told the BBC on Tuesday: "I have to say I can't be more grateful that she did what she did, to write me a letter."
Kate added: "Part of you thinks you've waited 31 years but also there was a lot of adventures in that time, we both had our own lives, Guenther had three children, I had a great business.
"It's been difficult, but when it's right, it's right, and I know it's right."
Do you have a love story to share? Please get in touch at webfeatures@trinitymirror.com
