Love Rekindled
Married Teen Sweethearts Maretta and Fred Ross Rekindle Love After 40 Years Apart
Maretta and Fred Ross dated as teenagers in rural South Georgia — then spent nearly 40 years living separate lives. A Facebook message in late 2021 changed everything. KPTV reported that the couple, who first met as students at rival high schools in Mitchell County, married in July 2023 after reconnecting online.
Their story is part of a growing trend among older adults. According to Pew Research, the divorce rate for adults over 50 has roughly doubled since the 1990s — and platforms like Facebook are helping many of them find love again.
Forty Years Apart, Reunited in One Hour
Fred Ross said he never forgot Maretta. After her 30-year first marriage ended in divorce, he searched for her on Facebook and sent a message, according to WALB News. Maretta was hesitant at first. She reached out to a mutual friend, Todd West, to verify Fred's character before sharing her phone number.
Fred called within one hour of getting her number. Live 5 News reported that the conversation "never really stopped." The couple, who had shared memories of church picnics and a homecoming dance, picked up as if the decades had barely passed.
Maretta Felt Lost After Divorce. Fred Had Been Waiting.
Maretta had been married for most of her adult life. After her divorce, she described feeling "lost" and unsure what came next, according to Cleveland 19. She said she never expected to marry again. Fred, meanwhile, said he had spent years "waiting for the right one."
The emotional gap between them was wide — but familiar. Experts call this the "lost love" phenomenon. Research by psychologist Dr. Nancy Kalish found that couples who reunite after at least five years apart have a 72% success rate, as long as they originally split due to outside factors like age or distance — not internal conflict.
The Hard Work Behind the Heartwarming Story
The Rosses are quick to say their reunion was not just magic. Maretta told WIBW that rebuilding a partnership required real humility. After years of living alone, she had to unlearn the strong independence she had built. Fred had to do the same. "Never give up on love," they said — but be ready to change.
Their advice breaks down into four steps: stay persistent, shed old habits from past marriages, stay patient, and use a trusted friend to verify who your old flame has become. Maretta's use of Todd West as a character reference is a practical example of that last step, according to Hawaii News Now.
Facebook Bridges the Gap for Older Adults Seeking Love
The Rosses' reunion highlights how technology has transformed dating for older generations. As of 2024, 90% of adults over 65 are online. Facebook remains the dominant platform for adults ages 50 to 74, according to data from AARP. Before social media, reconnecting with someone from 40 years ago was nearly impossible.
The couple will celebrate their third wedding anniversary in July 2026, according to Fox 34. For anyone wondering if it is too late to find love, Maretta Ross has a simple answer: it is not.
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