Some find love over a candle-lit dinner. Others might find it in a chance meeting at a bookstore. But sometimes, true love can be found over a pool table and in promises of a walk-in closet. Especially when you’ve just won the title of America’s oldest newlyweds.

This is how Doris Kriks and Carl Kruse, both 96, found their second chances. The widowers both live at the Good Samaritan Society-Cedar Lake Village senior living community. And while the center in Kansas isn’t known for its crazy singles’ scene, it did help one relationship blossom.

Carl was known as one of the billiard players in the community. That is, until he met his match in Doris. She moved in the community and quickly became an ace at beating Carl at his game. “Yes, I was definitely surprised,” Carl said of Doris’ skills. “She’s a hustler.” Smiling, Doris just said, “It’s a good feeling to beat men.”

Doris Kriks and Carl Kruse laugh as they talk about how they met. Photo by CBS

Over a year of billiards rivalry, the pair discovered they had more than just the game in common, they were both musicians. Carl plays violin and Doris plays piano. They spend time playing music together for the other residents. The pair continued to grow closer, and Carl couldn’t wait any longer – he asked Doris to marry him. Her answer – no. 

But Carl said he heard something in that ‘no’. “But I thought that the way she said it was not that it will never be,” he said. For Doris it was simple.

I wasn’t looking for a man,” she said.

Carl knew he had to get creative – so, after patiently waiting a few months, he tried a different approach. He invited Doris to look at a larger apartment that he thought they might live in, if she agreed to marry him.

The walk-in closet that sealed the deal for Doris and Carl. Photo by CBS

“So up we go to the second floor, and went to this room, and I was like, ‘Oh, this is pretty nice,'” Doris said. “And then he showed me the walk-in closet.” And that was all it took to seal the deal. She told him ‘yes’ immediately.

As for being loved for his walk-in closet, “It’s OK,” Carl said. But, for the pair, it was always more than a fancy closet. “He told me he was dedicated to making this a happy marriage,” Doris said. “It warms my heart.” As for those two lovebirds’ honeymoon, Carl had a simple answer. “Our new apartment.”

Sources: CBS  | Daily Mail