This is, possibly, one of the most romantic and touching stories we have ever come across and if this doesn’t put a little smile on your face this Friday afternoon, nothing will.
The Telegraph reports that a devoted farmer has created a heart-shaped meadow on his land, as a tribute to his late wife.
Winston Howes, a 70 year old farmer from South Gloucestershire, spent a week planting 6,000 oak saplings after his wife of 33 years died suddenly 17 years ago.
The farmer planted the trees in a six-acre field but left a perfect heart-shape right in the middle – with the bottom of the heart facing in the direction of her home.
After 17 years, the meadow has finally matured and Winston admits that he likes to sit there and remember Janet, his wife.
The most romantic/touching part of this story? The meadow has remained a family secret for years, and no one outside the family was aware of it until a hot air balloonist took a photograph while he was floating over the meadow.
“I came up with the idea of creating a heart in the clearing of the field after Janet died. I thought it was a great idea – it was a flash of inspiration – and I planted several thousand oak trees,” said Winston.
“Once it was completed we put a seat in the field, overlooking the hill near where she used to live. I sometimes go down there, just to sit and think about things. It is a lovely and lasting tribute to her which will be here for years,” he added.
Winston’s hidden heart memorial was revealed to the public after Andy Collett caught a glimpse of it and snapped a picture.
“I have my own balloon and am quite a regular flyer – but this was the most amazing sight I have ever seen from the sky,” said Mr Collett.
“It was a perfect heart hidden away from view – you would not know it was there. You can just imagine the love story,” he added.
