"Sorry, you're just a friend to me."

And that’s what she said to him right after he had revealed his romantic interest in her.

He stood there, bewildered, for a moment or two, then he started to smile.

“That’s what life is about isn’t it?” he asked her.

“I’m sorry,” she replied, averting his gaze.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Don’t worry about it babe.”

He walked over to the window and, looking out into the great expanse before him, added, “life goes on.”

And so it did. He died 52 years later, while she died 63 years after the fact, both happily married — to different people.