A tragic love story came to an end following former First Lady Barbara Bush death. Having been President George H. W. Bush’s wife for 73 years, she died at 92 on April 17, 2017. Exactly one year, six months and thirteen days after he had to say goodbye to his life partner, Bush, at the age of 94, joined both his wife and their late daughter Pauline Robinson Bush on November 30, 2018.

According to the New York Times, “The Bushes had celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in January, making them the longest-married couple in presidential history.” The loving couple left behind their four sons,  George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Marvin Bush, and Neil Bush, daughter Dorothy Bush Koch, and fourteen grandchildren.

The two met at the ages of 17 and 16 a mere few weeks following the attack on Pearl Harbor. When recalling their first encounter,the former First Lady stated she fell in love with her husband the second she laid eyes on him and could not imagine herself with any other man.

The widely beloved and admired presidential couple received thousands of tributes in their name. On social media, previous presidents such as Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and their respective wives, all claimed that Bush was “a man of the highest character.”

Donald Trump deemed Dec. 5 a National Day of Mourning in honor of Bush’s death.

“Regular mail deliveries, retail services, and administrative office activity will be suspended on Dec. 5,” the United States Postal Service alerted the public following Trump’s order. According to the executive order, this day was treated as a holiday with paid leave for all except emergency services in order to honor his legacy.

Beloved brother, father, and husband, Bush will forever be known as a man of merit, respect, with a deep love for his country as great as that for his Barbara. May the three find each other once more and spend their eternity in peace. We, the people, thank you for your service.