A true story of childhood friends finding love with God's help after 44-years.

Scott Johnson and Lorene Box became fast friends when they met in the forth grade at Lindbergh School in Manteca, California. Like most elementary school kids they played tetherball at recess, shared favorite marbles and giggled over everything. When it came time to move on to Junior High, High School and beyond, instead of going their separate ways as most school friends do, Scott and Lorene remained the very best of friends.

At various times mutual friends suggested that they date one another but the two best pals dismissed the idea because both were fully aware that best friends were hard to come by and neither wanted to jeopardize their unique relationship. That is until recently when life through Lorene a gigantic curve ball.

Thinking she might have caught pink eye over the summer, Lorene scheduled an appointment with her optometrist for a check up. While the doctor was unsure of the exact problem, one thing he was certain of was that there was much more than pink eye going on.

The optometrist then sent Lorene to a specialist who sent her to another doctor and then another. What started as a quick check up turned into days, weeks, months of testing, MRI's and exams. After what seemed like an eternity for Lorene, she was finally diagnosed with an extremely rare form of melanoma (cancer) in her eye. She then learned that the only way to cure the eye would be to remove it and replace it with a glass eye. That’s when her life turned upside down.

Lorene struggled to no end as she had to take a leave of absence from her job as preschool director and accept the fact that she would lose her eye. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through.” She admits.

Having never really seen Lorene sick in all the time of knowing her, Scott found it almost unbearable at times to see his best friend struggling and he was determined to be by her side and see her through this ordeal. He was there through all the poking and prodding she had to endure from various doctors. He was there when she caught an expected, life threatening infection that delayed the surgery and landed her in the hospital for three weeks. He held her hand when she was scared and willingly rushed to her side in the middle of the night if she needed comfort. He had a ready shoulder for her to cry on as her emotions took her on a whirlwind ride, all the while praying to God for her healing.

Not only were Scott’s prayers answered four months later but by the time Lorene had her surgery and was on the road to recovery, the two best friends realized that perhaps they were meant to be much more than just friends. “We finally admitted what I think we both always knew. We loved each other.” confessed Lorene.

Scott admitted to Lorene that that he had had a crush on her since high school but had never wanted to risk their perfect friendship by telling her. However, because of the recent ordeal Scott decided he was willing to risk it all. Sitting on a bench with his best friend of 44-years, Scott pulled out his class ring from high school and finally asked the love of his life to be his girlfriend. “I never gave my class ring to any girl in high school.” He said. “I was shy and it cost me a whole $45.00 so I didn’t’ want just anyone wearing it” says Scott. Finally being able to give his ring to the “right girl” after so long has made Scott a very happy man.

The couple went steady for less than two weeks before planning their wedding. The figured they didn’t need another 44 years to figure out that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. “All this time I was praying for the right person in my life and here my answer was right in front of me” confessed Lorene.

Today, the two best friends are beyond gitty with love and are not afraid to let others know it. As Manteca’s self proclaimed town crier, Scott stood on the corner of the local post office one friday afternoon during lunch hour with a sign he made that said, “Scott loves Lorene” on one side and “A Love from Heaven” on the other. Scott smiled and waved as drivers passing by, honked, waved and clapped their hands with joy at his public expression of love.

When asked how it feels to be marrying his best friend, Scott says, “It’s hard to put into words but when you’re in love with your best friend, it’s the best love second to Christ. As strong people of faith Scott and Lorene committed their lives to God years and have always put their love for Him first but both agree that when it comes to loving each other, it is a close second. As Scott unashamedly says on behalf of the couple, “It’s like walking on cloud nine every day.”