Former high school sweethearts reunite 73 YEARS after they split up - and fall in love 'all over again'

Two former high school sweethearts have reunited a staggering 73 years after they split up - but it seems absence really does make the heart grow fonder.  

Joanne Blakkan, 92, and Bill Hassinger, 90, first met as teens riding the school bus to  Michigan's North Muskegon High School.

The pair grew increasingly fond of each other on their daily commute and became first loves - but eventually went their 'separate ways.'

The former couple carried on with their lives - both marrying and having families of their own - until being reunited in 2022. 

Joanne Blakkan, 92, and Bill Hassinger, 90, first met as teens riding the school bus to Michigan's North Muskegon High School 

The former couple carried on with their lives - both marrying and having families of their own - until being reunited in 2022 

Joanne told Fox about how the pair had met when she was a junior at the time with Bill a freshman, as she quipped 'I was robbing the cradle.'

'[We] became more and more attracted to each other and then the next year was serious. In those days, you called it "going steady,"' she dished.

Bill accompanied Joanne to her senior prom in 1949 before she left to study secretarial science at Michigan State.

She would pop back to visit on weekends and the pair would go on regular dates - including roller skating.

'But, gradually, I met the young man who became my husband and [Bill] was dating a young lady in high school - and we just went our separate ways,' Joanne shared.

The couple continued on with their lives after finding new partners.

Bill married a woman who was one year his junior just six months after she graduated high school.

He then enlisted in the US Army before working for the state police and relocating to various spots around Michigan with his family for more than three decades.

The pair (pictured in high school) grew increasingly fond of each other on their daily commute to school and eventually became first loves 

Bill accompanied Joanne to her senior prom in 1949 (pictured) before she left to study secretarial science at Michigan State 

Joanne and Bill had not seen each other in more than seven decades until her daughter started tracking down some of her old classmates in the fall of 2022 

Bill and his wife welcomed three children - two sons, who tragically died when they were young, and a daughter.

The couple were wed for 68 years before Bill's wife passed away.

Joanne also built a happy home for herself after tying the knot two years into college and welcoming three children.

The pair were married until her husband died of a heart attack aged 57, as she insisted: 'I have been a widow for a long, long time. [I had] no interest in dating or anything.'

Joanne and Bill had not seen each other in more than seven decades until her daughter started tracking down some of her old classmates in the fall of 2022.

Her doting daughter encouraged Joanne to write a letter to Bill after finding out he lived a mere 80 miles away.

And, just a few days later, she got a call from her high school sweetheart during which they agreed to meet up.  

'I hadn't heard from her all these years, and I didn't know her status or anything. But she was still the same Joanne to me, and I fell for [her] all over again,' Bill said 

Joanne candidly explained how she had been apprehensive about getting into a new relationship but eventually changed her mind 

The couple still live 80 miles apart but visit each other every other weekend and for special occasions such as Valentine's Day 

'I hadn't heard from her all these years, and I didn't know her status or anything. But she was still the same Joanne to me, and I fell for [her] all over again,' Bill said. 

Joanne candidly explained how she had been apprehensive about getting into a new relationship but eventually changed her mind.

'If you feel the love for each other, then just spend time together because life is short, and we realize that now. 

'At our age, we don't know how much time we have together, but we're just making the most of every day,' she told the outlet.

The couple still live 80 miles apart but visit each other every other weekend and for special occasions such as Valentine's Day.

Bill said that he had been welcomed into Joanne's family with open arms.

Besides their relationship, another thing that made a comeback was Bill's present to Joanne - a bracelet adorned with white and green gems which he gifted her more than seven decades ago 

Joanne confessed: 'I think our feelings are stronger now than they were then. If the love is there, go for it' 

Bill shared with The Washington Post that getting reunited 'was just like old times - [they] just cut to the chase.'

Joanne agreed and said: 'The feelings came back very quickly.'

He added: 'We mix real well. I like everything about her. It just feels natural for me. The only thing for certain is that we'll be together. I wouldn't have it any other way.'

She confessed: 'I think our feelings are stronger now than they were then. If the love is there, go for it.'

Besides their relationship, another thing that made a comeback was Bill's present to Joanne - a bracelet adorned with white and green gems which he gifted her more than seven decades ago. 

She had kept the sentimental gift safe in her jewelry box and said that 'it was just too pretty to get rid of.'