A WWII veteran is finally back with his long-lost first love 70 years after the war pulled them apart.

Norwood Thomas, 93, and Joyce Durrant Morris, 88, first met in the spring of 1944 in London. They dated for a few months, but were separated when Norwood was forced to leave for the battle of Normandy in France.

Both ended up marrying other people. Eventually, Norwood became a widower and Joyce divorced.

Late last year, a crowdfunding campaign raised enough money so Norwood could fly from Virginia to Australia and meet Joyce again.

“This is about the most wonderful thing that could have happened to me,” said Norwood after meeting Joyce.

The two were first brought back together over Skype last year.

They hope to be able to spend Valentine’s Day together.

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Ceudy Gutierrez reads a book to her 2-year-old son, Matias, at their home in Buford, GA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Ceudy Gutierrez is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three young kids following her husband’s ICE arrest earlier this fall. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

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