Divorced couple finds each other again – after 32 years

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Ted Conner (left) with Wanda Conner at their second marriage ceremony June 20, 2008. After 32 years of separation, the couple decided to give love another try.

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Wanda Conner (left) shows off her wedding ring while holding the arm of her husband Ted Conner on their wedding day Aug. 27, 1945. They were married straight out of high school as teenagers.

By SHAIYLA HAKEEM

neighbors@vindy.com

Ted and Wanda Conner were married for 30 years, divorced for 32 and were remarried a year ago.

Ted and Wanda have known one other all of their lives.

“We’ve known each other since we were babies,” Ted said.

The couple always sat by one other during school. Wanda says they were seated alphabetically for classes.

The two even had the same last name.

This kept them close to one other from elementary through high school. Their mothers were college friends and would visit each other regularly.

They married on Aug. 27, 1945. Ted, 19, and Wanda, 18, were both fresh out of high school. The couple remained married for 30 years until Ted decided he wanted a change in his life. He left Wanda to pursue a relationship that he thought he wanted.

“It turned out, it was not a change that I would like. It shattered everything,” Ted said, “It was a very dumb mistake.”

During the separation, Ted continued with his career as a broadcaster and later became a minister. Wanda spent her time working two jobs and traveling the globe with her son. She never remarried.

“I thought that if he was going to be happier without me, then he should be happy,” Wanda said.

Ted explains the divorce as being a terrible experience that he regrets. He married another woman, but his heart was still with Wanda.

“After the divorce, and before the next wedding, I had serious doubts. But I did not want to admit that I was wrong,” Ted said.

For nearly three decades, Wanda didn’t speak to Ted. They eventually began to communicate through letters and over the phone when Ted’s late wife fell ill. Wanda became friends with Ted’s wife and phone conversations increased. Wanda and Ted began to talk for two and three hours at a time.

Ted moved back to Boardman in December 2007, to see if he could work things out.

They remarried six months later.

Both say they wish they would have never broken up.

The Conners were united in holy matrimony for the second time on June 20, 2008 by Rev. Ash Welch of Boardman United Methodist Church.

Unlike their first traditional wedding, an 82-year-old Wanda and 81-year-old Ted sat in chairs in front of a white wedding arch to take their vows. Both thought that sitting through the ceremony would be easier than standing.

They say the best thing about being back together is being able to share one another’s time. They play Scrabble, complete crossword puzzles and take daily naps together.

Wanda says they have learned to adjust to one another’s difference and not battle over it.

“He likes grapefruits and I like oranges,” Wanda said.

Though the divorce was hurtful experience for both of them, they chose to focus on the present, not the past.

“When he was coming back, I could have easily say no. But this is now and that’s in the past,” Wanda said. “It’s working out better now than before.”

Ted and Wanda intend on staying together this time and making up for the 32 years that were lost during their separation.

The couple doesn’t have anything special planned for Valentine’s Day, but Ted says they will probably just do something small.

“We’ll probably go out for a bite to eat, have some sweet talk and hugs and maybe a box of candy. She loves candy,” he said.