A new chance at love blossomed in the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean

In January 2017, 71-year-old Jeannette Saquet boarded the Queen Mary 2, eager to embark on a fresh adventure.

Having been divorced and single for years, Saquet embraced a life of independence, enjoying her work, the freedom to travel, and the joy of hosting dinner parties. Her greatest treasures were the special moments spent with her children and grandchildren in Michigan.

While she had long given up on the idea of finding love again, Saquet found contentment in the life she had built.

Accompanied by two close friends, Eileen and Ray, Saquet was traveling from New York City to Southampton. Her friends were early risers, so on the third day at sea, Saquet found herself enjoying a quiet breakfast alone.

Cruise ships are naturally welcoming, so Saquet had no hesitation in joining a table where seven other passengers were already enjoying breakfast, introducing herself to the group.

On her left sat 68-year-old Scottish traveler Graham McFarlane, who was returning to the UK after a visit to friends in Florida.

McFarlane, a seasoned traveler, always chose to cross the Atlantic aboard the Queen Mary 2 when given the option.

"I like to think of it as a ferry," McFarlane jokes with Dinogo Travel today. "Imagine crossing in seven days of sheer luxury – and it’s likely more affordable than a First Class flight."

McFarlane’s wife had passed away seven years earlier. Like Saquet, he had no expectation of finding love again, instead focusing on his work as a project manager, overseeing construction projects throughout Scotland. He led a fulfilling life, enjoying time with family and friends in his hometown of Forfar, located just north of Dundee.

When Saquet sat down at the breakfast table that morning, she only exchanged a quick greeting with McFarlane, who was already engrossed in a conversation with the man seated next to him.

As the group wrapped up their croissants and sipped the last of their coffee, McFarlane announced he was heading off to play bridge.

"That caught my attention," Saquet recalls with a smile.

A passionate card player, Saquet had already been playing bridge with Eileen and another fellow traveler they’d met on board, and they had been on the lookout for a fourth player.

Saquet asked McFarlane if he’d be interested in joining their game. He agreed, and the two of them met up later that evening for an energetic and competitive round of cards.

"As it turned out, Graham didn’t just join the bridge game – he also participated in meals, walks, evening entertainment, and a variety of other activities with Ray, Eileen, and me," says Saquet.

As the Queen Mary 2 sailed closer to the UK over the next seven days, Saquet and McFarlane spent increasingly more time together.

"I found Graham to be such a delightful person, and I really enjoyed his company, especially his lovely Scottish accent," says Saquet.

McFarlane was equally captivated by Saquet – though she didn’t realize just how much at the time.

"I never thought anything romantic would happen between us until Eileen mentioned a few days later, 'I think he likes you,'" recalls Saquet.

"Then, he took my hand. And that simple gesture captured my heart. I could feel the connection between us."

When the Queen Mary 2 arrived in Southampton, McFarlane and Saquet parted ways. McFarlane had business to attend to in England before heading back to Scotland, while Saquet was continuing on to Paris for a holiday with Eileen.

The Scotsman and the American exchanged farewells, but not before swapping email addresses and phone numbers.

"In the weeks that followed, Graham and I exchanged emails that grew longer, more detailed, and more frequent," says Saquet.

Once Saquet returned to the US, they switched to FaceTime for their conversations.

"Our video calls began as weekly check-ins, then became twice a week, and soon three times or more. We ended up chatting for around two hours each time," says Saquet.

The couple started structuring their days around their calls, with their conversations only coming to an end when one of them ran out of battery.

"Graham was just such a joy to talk to," says Saquet. "I really enjoyed his company. We discussed everything – some very personal topics, others more general, like the state of the world, our families, and our pasts."

Saquet also shared details of her upcoming trip with McFarlane – she was planning to visit Eastern Europe for a few weeks that spring.

"I told her, 'Why not stop by Scotland on your way back, it’s just a short hop,'" recalls McFarlane.

"When he invited me, I thought, 'Wow, this guy, we could really be great friends.' By then, I already considered him a friend," says Saquet.

She decided to book a flight to Scotland.

In May 2017, Saquet flew from Bucharest, Romania, to Edinburgh, Scotland, where McFarlane was waiting to meet her at the airport.

On the drive back from the airport, McFarlane suggested they visit The Kelpies, two stunning steel sculptures of horses located in Falkirk, Scotland.

As they stood in awe of these massive artistic representations of Scottish mythological creatures, Saquet realized just how at ease and happy she felt.

It marked the start of an unforgettable journey, which Saquet fondly describes as "the best trip ever, with the best tour guide ever."

"I just fell in love with Scotland, and I fell in love with him too," says Saquet.

A Scottish adventure like no other.

Over the following 10 days, McFarlane took Saquet on a journey through the stunning bluebell-filled woodlands and expansive beaches of Perthshire, as well as a tour of the imposing, turreted Glamis Castle – the legendary setting for Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

They also visited the historic battlefields of Culloden, the breathtaking landscapes of Loch Ness, and McFarlane’s hometown of Forfar, which he humorously refers to as "the center of the universe, and has been for years."

"It’s a very well-kept secret, though," adds Saquet with a smile.

In Forfar, Saquet was introduced to McFarlane’s son and daughter, both of whom live in the town, along with many other friends and relatives who welcomed her with open arms.

Toward the end of their trip, Saquet and McFarlane journeyed north to Achnacarry, which McFarlane fondly describes as "a completely secluded Scottish loch, surrounded by mountains, with deer in the garden. It’s simply a stunning place."

As Saquet’s return to the US approached, McFarlane promised to visit her soon.

Just a few weeks later, McFarlane flew to California, bought a motorcycle, and rode it all the way to Chicago to visit her.

"I couldn’t believe an old guy like me was having so much fun," says McFarlane.

In Chicago, McFarlane reunited with Saquet and met her son and his family. Then, back in Michigan, McFarlane got a taste of Saquet’s American lifestyle – leaving his US motorcycle in the garage, ready for his next visit.

McFarlane and Saquet soon realized they shared very similar values – both of them love hosting gatherings and always have family and friends coming over to their warm and inviting homes.

During Saquet’s first visit to Scotland, the couple was frequently invited to dine out or visit McFarlane’s friends.

Saquet’s friends were naturally curious about the Scotsman she had met on a cruise. When they finally met him, they were quickly won over and understood why the couple was such a great match.

In the following years, Saquet and McFarlane continued to spend increasing amounts of time together, visiting each other in Forfar or Michigan, or meeting in various destinations around the world.

For McFarlane’s 70th birthday, they traveled to Paris, staying in a charming apartment in Montmartre, visiting Saquet’s Parisian friends, and dining at the Palais Royal.

They also attended a wedding together in Cyprus, toured Malta, and explored the ancient Baalbek Roman Ruins in Beirut.

In Italy, they cruised down to Lake Como in a convertible, and in France, they visited Normandy, where Saquet’s father, a WWII soldier, is buried.

They also sailed aboard the Queen Mary 2 three more times – the ship holds a cherished place in their hearts.

“At first, it was a month with him, then a month with me – with maybe a month or two in between,” Saquet recalls.

“But eventually, those visits grew longer and longer. We realized we enjoyed being together so much that we decided to spend more time together. So we ended up almost always being together.”

Stranded in the US

In March 2020, McFarlane and Saquet reunited in Florida before heading back to Saquet’s home in Michigan.

They had planned to return to Scotland together by the end of the month, but as the Covid-19 situation worsened in both the UK and the US, they realized leaving wasn’t going to be that simple.

For the next 15 months, Saquet and McFarlane stayed together in Michigan.

“I’m so grateful that during the lockdown, at least we were together instead of being in different countries,” says Saquet.

During the pandemic, McFarlane became involved in Saquet’s local community, assisting with building projects. As restrictions began to lift, he spent more time with Saquet’s family.

“My grandchildren, Morgan and Sydney, are completely smitten with Graham,” says Saquet.

While McFarlane missed his family in Scotland, Saquet and McFarlane both agree that despite the challenges of the early pandemic, they never had a major argument.

“We’re both pacifists, and when we have a disagreement, we simply agree to disagree,” says Saquet.

A backyard wedding

As 2020 progressed, McFarlane’s tourist visa was nearing expiration. It became clear that he might have to leave the US in the summer, and if he returned to Scotland, the couple wasn’t sure when they would be able to reunite next.

The idea of being apart for months made them both realize something important.

Although Saquet and McFarlane had discussed marriage in the past, neither had ever felt any urgency to take that step – partly because they had both been married before, and partly because they were content with the way things were.

However, they both understood that they wanted to stay together, supporting each other through life’s ups and downs, without any barriers to their time together.

At the end of August 2020, Saquet and McFarlane were married on the back deck of Saquet’s Michigan home, with only her immediate family present. Her two sons served as the best men, while her grandchildren took on the roles of the ring bearer and flower girl.

It was a modest yet beautiful ceremony. Though it was difficult for their Scottish family to be absent, they created a video of the event so that distant loved ones could still be part of their special day.

In June 2020, the couple finally made their way back to Scotland to reunite with family. For the time being, they plan to stay in the UK, but long term, they intend to continue dividing their time between the US and Scotland, and when travel allows, resume their adventures around the globe.

Currently, Saquet and McFarlane are relishing their time reacquainting themselves with Scotland as the country gradually lifts restrictions. They recently had the pleasure of driving part of the iconic North East 500 route.

A second chance

When Saquet and McFarlane first met while crossing the Atlantic, neither expected to fall in love again, let alone meet someone from a different country on a cruise ship.

However, both Saquet and McFarlane were open to embracing an adventure, one that they hope will inspire others to do the same, no matter their age or stage in life.

“I hear people say, ‘I’m too old to fall in love, too old to travel, or too old to try new things,’” says Saquet.

“I’m 76 now, and he’s 73, yet we both still feel like a couple of young birds, enjoying every moment of life,” says Saquet.

McFarlane and Saquet connected over a shared love of bridge, and they continue to enjoy playing cards together, along with spending their evenings in conversation and dreaming up their next adventures.

They believe their relationship thrives because they have such a strong friendship at its core.

“We’re still the best of friends, and deeply in love,” says McFarlane.