A Real Estate Newsletter Gave This Couple A Second Chance At Love

For this month's Love In A Small Town feature, we asked Patch readers to tell us the story behind their romantic chance encounters.This is Stephanie and Jerry Stadtler’s story, told by each of them in their own words:

Stephanie’s version:

“My husband, Jerry, and I both graduated from San Ramon High School. I met Jerry in 1961 when I was a junior and he was a senior. We went ‘steady’ for a brief period of time. My parents felt we were too serious so would not let us continue to see each other. I graduated in 1962. In 1963, Jerry went to Vietnam.

We both married other people. I found myself single after 13 years of marriage with three little boys. The only option I had for work was real estate, as it was the only profession that would allow me the flexibility with my daily hours.

At that time of my life, I was barely able to make ends meet. I did not have any extra money for ‘marketing’ but was able to send out about 20 newsletters. I had never forgotten Jerry so I sent a real estate newsletter to his parents. He went over to visit his parents one Sunday and they handed him my generic real estate newsletter. He had also gone through a divorce and called me shortly thereafter. The rest is history.

We had a second chance and have now been married for almost 40 years, raised three fabulous sons and have eight wonderful grandchildren. Jerry is definitely my ‘soulmate.’ He is the kindest, most caring and sensitive man I have ever met. He has a fantastic sense of humor.

I am also still in real estate. Jerry and I now own 10 RE/MAX real estate offices, two of which are in Danville. We have worked side-by-side since getting back together 40 years ago.”

—Stephanie Stadtler

Jerry’s version:

“My last three years of high school were at three different schools. I moved to Danville in 1960. It was OK because I loved meeting new friends and seeing new places. My first week in school I was walking to class (slow crawl) in a hallway, when I noticed people parting ahead of me like there was a post there. As I got closer I realized it was not a post but a girl, arms extended, all alone slicing through the crowd. This was my first encounter with my soon-to-be-soulmate, Stephanie. This was not just a girl. This was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.

Yes, ‘love at first sight’ is not only possible, but very real. We dated and stayed close that year, but her mother thought we were too serious (we definitely were) and managed to separate us. We tried to stay together but it just became too difficult. I was too young, her mother too controlling and we had to sneak around to be together, so we grew apart. That was in 1961.

I joined the military in 1963, and while I was away I lost her to another guy. After the military tour I met a lady and married her. Eight years later I was going through a divorce and happened to stop by my parents’ home to say hello. My dad handed me a marketing card and asked if I remembered the lady. Of course, I said ‘yes’ and took the card home with me.

I decided to write her a letter hoping that I could talk her into having lunch with me and catch up on the last 17 years. She agreed to meet, and I found out then that she was not married, had three sons and was struggling with life after her own divorce. I was also told that she was to be married in one week. After lengthy discussions, I was able to get her to slow down on the upcoming marriage, give it more serious analysis, and ultimately we were married 10 months later.

I consider myself to be the luckiest guy on the planet. We have been married now for 39 years. I have a wonderful life and family. My wife and sons are also my business partners. I have so much to be thankful for and not to forget, I have the best guardian angel in the universe. He has never let me down when pointing me in the right direction.”

—Jerry Stadtler

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See all Patch "chance encounters" here.

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For next month's Love In A Small Town feature, we want to help you give Mom the best Mother's Day gift ever. Write her a heartfelt letter to tell her how much she means to you, email it to locallove@patch.com and we'll feature it in your town's newsfeed on Mother's Day. Get more details here.

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Image Credit: Stephanie and Jerry Stadtler