When the world seems to be falling apart, and you wonder what the future holds, think about two people who have lived nearly eight decades on Earth but are still optimistic about the future. While young Millennials and Gen Z shivers about what the future holds, these two decided to embrace adventure by taking the leap into marriage for the second time — after just 30 days of dating. When you know, you know.
Winter romance is the theme for this week’s Feel-Good Friday.
Dale Pitsenbarger and Mae Clemons, both 78, were introduced to the church on May 31, 2025. Clemons’ grandson wanted his widowed grandmother to meet Mr. Pitsenbarger, who was also a widow. Who knew the kid was a matchmaker. Apparently Pitsenbarger’s friends were talking about Clemons, insisting that he should meet her.
Of course, it was love At first glance.
Clemons was impressed by “how handsome” Pitsenbarger was while “everyone was teasing him and telling him he needed to meet her.”
Admittedly, the duo has been a bit rusty when it comes to dating as neither of them has gone out on a date since their previous marriage. However, everything went off without a hitch and there were instant sparks on their first date on June 6. About a month later, they got engaged on July 5.
Clemons says she knew Pitsenbarger was the one because he rang the doorbell and brought her flowers on their first date. For him, it was the next morning because he “couldn’t stop thinking about her.”
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That was it. After the death of their husbands, Clemons and Pitsenbarger believed they would never love again. However, if there was any resistance to embarking on a new relationship, it quickly gave way to surrender. At this late stage in their lives, they opened their hearts to love again. Pitsenbarger lost no time in getting engaged, and they both lost no time in marrying; After all, at 78 years old, you don’t have much time to waste. There were no “let’s go to city hall” or quickie weddings. According to photographer Hailey Kinnamon, Clemons and Pitsenbarger went all out and spared no expense for their dream wedding. How sweet is this?
Kinnamon, 37, shares that Clemons “wanted the whole nine yards for her wedding.” From the flower toss to the wedding garter, Clemons had it all. They were joined by all their loved ones, including their closest friends, who probably didn’t expect to be at a wedding again, but happily accepted their roles as bridesmaids and groomsmen.
“They didn’t want to cut back on anything because this was a day they had been dreaming of and a rare opportunity to bring all their families together,” says Kinnamon.
Clemsons and Pitsenbarger’s wedding day was Sept. 13, 2025, less than four months after they met. The party was held at the Four Seasons Barn in Cardington, Ohio, a gorgeous outdoor venue surrounded by woods, with 115 guests in attendance. Clemson’s bridesmaids prayed over her before the ceremony, and the Clemson native walked her down the aisle. From the photos shared exclusively to PEOPLE, both were puddles of tears.
Pitsenbarger and Clemons skipped the first look, as they both wanted to save the special moment for their outdoor ceremony. The groom tells people the wait was worth it because seeing his bride walk down the aisle was his favorite memory.
“As soon as she saw Dale at the end of the aisle, her facial expression changed into a permanent smile for the rest of the evening,” Kinnamon says.
Four Seasons Barn shared this clip from their party, and the smiles never ended. This is great.
I love Ralph Waldo Emerson, and my newlywed Pitsenbarger wife, so they embody this quote from my favorite Emerson’s poem“This new day is so dear, with its hopes and its prayers, that it cannot lose a moment of yesterday.” My greatest wish is that Dale and Mae Pitsenbarger will continue to see many new days, new hopes, and invitations to experience the joy they have found in each other.
Editor’s note: At RedState, it’s not just politics and politics. We like to draw attention to what’s good in the world, with columns like “Feel-Good Friday,” “Start Your Weekend Right” and “Hoge’s Heroes.”
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