Couple reunited by lost love letter finally marry

The letter was lost behind a fireplace for ten years

Former couple Steve Smith and Carmen Ruiz-Perez have finally married, after being reunited by a love letter lost behind a fireplace for ten years. The pair, both 42, wed after losing each other for 16 years. They were reunited when a letter Steve had posted to Carmen's mother in a bid to find her 10 years ago was found behind a fireplace during renovation work at her villa in Spain. It was discovered by builders during repairs. Ms Ruiz-Perez, who was then living in France, was given the long lost note and she nervously rang Steve from her home in Paris.

Within two days they met - and began planning their wedding in Brixham, Devon, which happened on Friday.

They fell in love when Spaniard Carmen was a foreign student staying in Torbay where Steve lives. They became engaged but Carmen returned to France - and they drifted apart.

Carmen said: ‘I never got married and now I have married the man I always loved.

‘I didn't phone Steve right away because I was so nervous. It had been ten years since he wrote and I didn't know what he would think. I nearly didn't phone him at all - but I knew I had to make the call.

Steve, from Paignton, Devon, said: ‘When we met at the airport it was like a film. We ran across the airport into each other's arms. Within 30 seconds of setting eyes on each other we were kissing.’ CLICK HERE FOR MORE WORLD NEWS

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