ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Pensioner Goes On First 'Date' In 55 Years With 22-Year-Old

Pensioner Goes On First 'Date' In 55 Years With 22-Year-Old

Legend.

Mark McGowan

Mark McGowan

Dating has become a lot easier for millennials, given that most of the planning is done via the likes of Tinder and Facebook, but back in the day it wasn't so simple.

Our parents and grandparents had to actually engage someone in conversation to get a date - imagine that?! And, if you've ever done that yourself, then you know how nerve-wracking and awkward it can be.

Lonely widower Edwin Holmes was one of those who had to do it the old fashioned way, but after a number of years out of the game, found himself being asked on a date, rather than him doing the asking.

Credit: Sainsbury's Press Office

22-year-old Sainsbury's worker Ellie Walker heard that the 86-year-old spends most days alone and couldn't quite believe it. She decided that she'd take Edwin out for tea, and it turned out to be his first date in 55 years.

Because it was around the Christmas period she decided that, because he'd spend the special day alone, they'd go for a Crimbo roast. When Edwin turned up in a suit, tie 'n all, and with a bunch of flowers in hand, it reduced her to tears.

"He said it was his first 'date' in 55 years and he was as nervous as a schoolboy," Ellie told The Sun. "It made me cry because I could see how much it meant to him. For me it's the most important part of my job to speak with customers and see how their day is going."

Luckily, Ellie's time for customers has paid off, and she now has a regular friend in Edwin, but more importantly, he has a regular friend in her.

She says that they meet up frequently for coffee and have a good chinwag.

The 22-year-old, who works at Sainbury's in Leeds, told The Sun: "He is without a shadow of a doubt my favourite customer.

Credit: Sainsbury's Press Office

"He is the cutest man and so chatty. I thought if it was my granddad and he was alone I would want someone to talk to him.

"I see him regularly now and we meet for coffee. It's nice to be able to chat with him."

Edwin, clearly a gentleman, lost his wife in 2006 after they'd been married for 45 years. His daughters, and their children, live in Australia, meaning that on these shores he currently has no one.

"The dinner made me very happy as it was unexpected and I had very pleasant company," he told The Sun. "As for the suit, it was my first date for about 55 years, and I got the flowers because I wasn't going to go empty handed."

What a legend.

Featured Image Credit: Sainsbury's Press Office

Topics: Date, sainsbury's, Pensioner

Choose your content: