My wife and I are young, and newlywed (<1 year), but I like to think we have this kind of relationship. It actually scared the hell out of me when I first met her, because within 2 weeks I knew I'd never meet anyone like her. It's like I married a comedian -- and a good one, too! I never know what kind of utterly outrageous, disgusting, nonsensical and hilarious thing is coming out of her mouth next.

And of course, I'm a basket of spontaneity myself, being bipolar, bicultural-and-lingual and all. So it's much more comforting to read something like this instead of a guy who felt a little bad that his wife died, but didn't let it spoil a sunny afternoon.

I really liked this one -- and this is a great series to begin! Can't wait to see what's next.

Cute story, but between the many references to alcohol, the very few references to the daughter, and the explanation of the German divorce laws, I'm left with the impression of a much darker version of this story: Adulterous ex-wife now impoverished and struggling to care for the child, works day and night to support the two of them. The child spends more time with Dina because of this. Dina and Gerd like to travel a lot, what happens to the child? People who drink a lot can be really irresponsible in their relationships with others, especially children. Maybe these questions are beside the point of a story like this, but I'm just sayin'...

be in her 40s by now? I'm sure she's just fine.

The German divorce laws changed in the late 70's ... there's no guilt anymore.

...and she started calling Dina "Mommy." They also say that he quit drinking to excess. Having a beer now and again probably didn't hurt the kid at all.

...is, of course, laughter. It is the reason for a happy life, a deep and loving relationship, and a happy family. Laugh often, and all of these will be yours. Really. It's just as simple as that. But that's just my $0.02.

You can sue your cheating ex spouse's new squeeze, for money damages.

This love story made me happy. I love that they sing opera together in the night. I love the laughing. Gerd and Dina, you rock!

I have no idea what to make of this story other than "life is random and people are random" ... but what disturbs me are the responses... all except the one who asked the obvious question: "what about the child?"

People get bored, adultery happens. Not all adultery leads to divorce, nor should it. And not all adultery is wandering men philandering on the side, while wonderfully dutiful wives are always the victims ...

Today in the US, and substantially in Europe too, we have "no fault" divorce. Not only do we have "no-fault divorce" ... we have social mores which accept that divorce is "normal and good."

The US law of "no-fault" makes marriage a contract with "termination at will" .. and in the event either parties decide to walk ... the following outcome is almost certain in the US:

* the woman will get custody of the child(ren), and will get child support -- 17% of the man's net income after taxes for one child, 25% for two ..etc

* pension(s) will be split

* if she wants it (and if there is one) probably she will get the house, at least until the children are grown, possibly outright

* she may choose to relocate, filing for a relocation petion, taking the child away from the father.

Successful adultery is a very lucrative proposition for women: they don't even need to "trade up, just trade even" ... it's a 1.25 husband proposition ... sanctioned and enforced by the state.

And oh-yeah ... want to get that man really out of your hair? The "Susie has a little sister now" ploy is an almost certain winner. Get pregnant, next baby. It's a great way to hook that new man too ... you don't even need to wait until you are divorced .... best to do it first and take it into court. It's the trifecta: your new man "needs" to move for whatever reason ... and now because you are knocked up and dependent you have no choice do you you? Go to court and file for the divorce and relocation and support.

Hey, is this country great, or what?

I'm sure the child grew up to be fine.

I would like to see a movie about this relationship. Love based on common sense and mature decisions and intellectual compatibility gets almost no air time in our culture. We're all about the pounding heart and flaming loins. Those are nice love stories, fun for sure, but it would be really nice to see more like Gerd and Dina's.

I really enjoyed this story, and I appreciate Gerd and Diana's decision to share it with us.

I'd also like to chime in on this series: keep it up! I look forward to each installment.

Bad things happen but good people make the best of it. I'd much rather read about them than the ones who are causing all the grief in the first place.

I loved his quip about how he had a dozen oysters and only nine worked. They must be a lot of fun to be around.

Oh, please. What about the child, indeed. And what *about* the poor adulterous poverty-stricken wife? Sounds like she got what she deserved (as did the erring older husband), and the child got a stable, healthy, loving set of parents. There have to be consequences. I'm not sure what Quetico Loon was trying to say other than to whine about what he perceives as the unfair advantages given to women in divorce (and women, of course, are all scheming after men's wallets), but, having seen firsthand what my father's midlife crisis and exit affair did to my mother, I agree that the cheater in these situations doesn't get punished enough, and that our moral code has collapsed in this regard, leaving many to confuse respect, love, and responsibility with sexual puritanism.

I'm just surprised the polyamorists haven't shown up to deplore how unenlightened Gerd and Dina were and to try to claim that everything would have been better if they'd agreed to be a foursome, as the two cheating spouses would have had it.

A beautiful love story. Thank you for posting this.

What a wonderful story!

I've always believed that the love between older people or the second time around love at an older age beyond 55, is really the truest love. People are more accepting of others foibles, they understand the values of their past and are willing to look for inner beauty rather than superficial outer looks and someone much younger than they, which men tend to seek.

I've been friends w/a great guy for 2 years. We met in 2007 when he came to CA for an Art History trip for 10 days. He's 8 years younger, 60, than I and lives in the UK. Being well off, he can go anywhere, but because he loves the US, he comes here. We burn up email and phone calls.

Because he's a true American-aholic, he even skis w/his 2 sons in Vail every year. We share a ton of things in common and he even joined the Obama for Prez web-site. We are taking our VERY FIRST vacation together this June. I live in Southern CA and am going to show him the Central Coast Wine Country and the best of Santa Barbara. We even are going for a long day trip to the Getty Villa in Malibu, he's seen the Getty Ct, but not this gem.. He booked the incredibly romantic and only 5* B & B in No America, Simpson House Inn, for a week in a private cottage. This would never had happened to us if we had not met at this time in opur lives. While I do not expect anything beyond what we have, I do know that we wouldn't have had this 10 years ago!

I do wonder about Gerd's daughter. What happened to her and where is she now?

If Dina and Gerd ever come to CA, I'd love to meet them. They are an inspiration to the power of love.