Fred and Lorraine Stobaugh were married for 73 years, until her death in April. The best way for Fred to pay tribute to her was to write a song, which he decided to enter into a contest. A video explaining Fred’s life and his song has gone viral.
According to People magazine, the Peoria, Illinois native sent the song to a local studio, which was holding an online contest for singer-songwriters. In the video, which has racked up nearly 480,000 views, Green Shoe Studios explained that it was the most unique entry because it came in a manila envelope with a letter from Fred, explaining that he wrote the song for his wife.
Fred had no musical experience, but still sang the song with a guitarist. The studio recorded the song and posted it on iTunes and Google Play.
The couple met in 1938 and married after two years of dating. They have three children and four grandchildren. In the video, Fred recalls, “She was just the prettiest girl I ever saw. Real timid, like. I just fell in love with her right there.”
He continued, “After she passed away, I was just sitting in the front room one evening by myself, and it just came right to me...I just kept humming it and singing it ... It just fit her.”
He said that he still misses her every day and “It just don't seem right [that she's gone]. Like a dream.”
Check out the video below:
image: YouTube