Most people are adamant about online relationships. But if it brings you happiness, then go for it. Life is too short. The couple above met online in August of 2000. Even before they exchanged phone numbers or photos, they knew this cyber connection between them was something special. They met a month later on a Friday and were engaged the Monday that followed. Lee moved in with Sherry and her two children and the couple was married in May 2001.
And even then, “lots of people didn’t think we would make it,” says Lee. But their relationship not only sustained, it thrived. “The kids bonded with me. I bonded with the kids. What we had was perfect,” he says. “I never knew love could feel this way.”
Then disaster struck on February 8, 2007. Lee had been needed in the office that night. Sherry must have known something was about to happen because she didn’t want Lee to go. . “Please, can’t you stay home with me tonight? I’m just so afraid I’m going to lose you.” she begged with tears in her eyes. Lee sat with her on the bed for 15 minutes, assuring her he would be OK, before finally giving her a big hug and goodbye kiss.
Little did he know that it was “the” goodbye forever kiss… goodbye - the last time he would hold her near. Not much more than an hour after arriving at work, he received a call from his stepdaughter that their home was on fire. Her mother was still inside. Smoke killed Sherry Norman before the flames reached her.
The love and the bond they had makes the pain more intense. Fate, which brought love into his life so unexpectedly, decided to snatch it away even more dramatically. When she died, Sherry was wearing the wedding ring and necklace he bought her that first weekend in Chicago - and they were returned to him at the hospital. But his own wedding band, which he took off before going to work that night, is missing. And except for a few pictures some neighbors were able to salvage from the rubble, there is little he can hold in his hands to remind him of the woman he loved so desperately.
And even if Lee and Sherry only had six years together, he knows just how lucky he was. “We wanted to grow old together,” he says, tears welling in his eyes even as he smiles. “But what we had together is what most people only dream of …”
I am still in tears as I write this story of a love so beautiful… Its sad it had to end this way… 
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Comment by Revern on 26 February 2007:
As I write to you, tears are streaming down my cheeks. This was a very heart breaking story about Sherry and Lee.
Comment by fala on 26 February 2007:
What a beautiful and sad story. It’s amazing they connected so quickly and were able to sustain a deep and loving relationship for so long after.
Comment by mossimo on 27 February 2007:
A very sad story to say the least.
Comment by DavyDiva on 27 February 2007:
This is a really tragic story. It’s not that often in life that we are blessed with true love and to lose it in such a unexpected and horrible way…..My prayers are with the surviving family members.
Comment by charlee1 on 3 March 2007:
what a terribly sad story this is. this can only be described as your worst nightmare to lose someone you love and care about in this way. life can be great but also very cruel at times. lets hope that lee and his stepchildren can move on after such a terrible tragedy.
Comment by Tarah on 5 March 2007:
I wonder if he kept raising her children…hmmm…tsomething to think about when marrying with children from a previous relationship…
Comment by kryss on 12 March 2007:
I think tarah, he kept raising her children .for 6 years that they lived together , he must also learn to love her kids and accept them as his own.
Comment by angelicbunny on 24 June 2008:
That’s terrible… He’s probably still greving right today.
Comment by E_Me_101 on 27 August 2008:
how did the fire start and how come she really didn’t want him 2 leave that night? do u think she thought something might happen?
why didn’t he take his wedding ring 2 work?
sorry if my questions seem a bit un-caring it just seems a bit odd to me
Comment by damaria25 on 7 December 2008:
did he kill her?
Comment by blessing799 on 30 December 2008:
It was love at first site but a very sad ending.Hope he is still taking care of the kids and is thankful for the time they did share together.
Comment by Jazie on 6 April 2009:
This is a very sad story and most of all I feel for the children that have lost a mother. Secondly, how wonderful it must have been for Sherry and Lee to find love again. God blessed Lee with Sherry and we all know how the old saying goes…”It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”
damaria25…we could have all done without your comment! Where is your compassion???????
Comment by BrownB09 on 6 April 2009:
This is very sad, a tragedy!
Comment by miri2008 on 26 August 2009:
Amazing how different people’s minds work. After reading the article, I read through each comment to see if anyone else had the same impression and questions I did. And sure enough E_Me and damaria stated the exact same questions that I had immediately after reading the article.