It is a modern day love story with all of the magical elements: old fashioned romance, courting, love, passion and living happily ever after. It is likely a match made in heaven.

The bride is 79 and the groom is 82. He looks at her and grins. She reciprocates. They compliment each other so well; they complete the sentences of one another.

Then there are the playful comments. He modestly describes his school years in football and track. She adds, "He was a football hero and track star." He jokes in return, "She was a little brat!"

On Feb. 23rd, Katherine ("Kate") E. Ostrom, Ed.D. (nee Shults) of Tukwila, and Alan L. W. Gunsul, M.D. of Burien, joined hands and hearts in holy matrimony.

They did it their way.... small, simple, elegant and with a family celebration. They exchanged vows at the groom's elder daughter's (Magen Michaud) home in Renton.

In attendance were Kate's son Dick and his wife Wendi, from Spokane; Zella Couture, Kate's sister, and the groom's children, daughter Magen and husband Nick, son Alan and wife Gina; Moira Fujimoto, Maude Gunsul, and Ian Gunsul with Dina Hrisko. The Honorable Bobbe Bridge, former state Supreme Court justice and acquaintance of the bride, officiated.

Kate's red and black wedding dress was stunning. It was a dress Alan helped select.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds had a nice dinner with family. For their honeymoon, they visited family in Sacramento, Walla Walla and other areas-- something Alan enjoys doing every March.

Kate is a 1946 graduate of Foster High School. She is a retired educator-- her last position was as vice principal of Showalter Middle School in Tukwila.

She was married for many years and raised two children. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, a teacher's certification, and taught English and Journalism at her alma mater. She worked her way through her bachelor's and master's degrees. After she retired, she went on to earn her Doctorate Degree.

Alan is a 1944 graduate of Foster High School. He practiced family medicine in Burien for 43 years.

The years were filled with excitement, achievements and challenges. Alan attended medical school while driving a cab at night. He also had five children with his late wife, Barbara.

For 28 years, he was the team physician for the Highline High School football team. He was also on call for the track team.

He was heavily invested in the Highline community-- teaching fourth, fifth and sixth-grade children hygiene and reproduction. Alan also worked with attorneys on malpractice. He was an expert advisor on education and health.

Through the years, he has immensely enjoyed sharing his skills. He explains it in simple terms, "I feel like I could give my skills better than money....everybody has money."

Kate listens to Alan describe his many years of being a physician and marvels, "You're looking at him 2,200 babies later."

It was approximately three years ago that Alan's wife, Barbara, was diagnosed with a serious disease.

He remembers the good times- especially the nine Summer Olympics that the couple attended.

. Pictures of Barbara and the couple's five children and their families, adorn the Lake Burien area home.

Barbara had some important final words for Alan. He carries them with him every day of his life, explaining, "She gave me a lot of instructions prior to her death." He would heed her words to live life to the fullest.

Alan developed a social life and reached the point where he hoped to meet a platonic friend.

He was taking ballroom dancing when he found himself in a predicament. He needed a partner for an upcoming dance. Kate's sister was all too happy to give her a nudge in Alan's direction. After all, Kate had known Alan and Barbara from their high school years.

First, the two danced, and then, Alan took Kate to the theatre. He was especially pleased to learn Kate had tickets to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland- -one of his favorite events.

Their courtship would be a whirlwind of dancing and travel.

Still, Kate admits, "We were both cautious at first." Before too long, that caution would be thrown to the wind.

A short time later, as Alan was preparing to leave on a cruise, it awakened feelings in Kate. It was agony and she had to do something!

"I couldn't stand the thought of staying home for three weeks with him gone. What would I do without him?"

She joined him and the couple headed to Guatemala, Aruba, Costa Rica and places many people only fantasize about visiting. While on the ship, a steward casually offered the couple seats, referring to them as "Mr. and Mrs. Gunsul."

Alan smiles when he recalls, "That sounded pretty good."

He popped the question.

Life is grand for these two doctors. The Gunsuls reside in the home where Alan has lived for 50 years. They cherish family and memories of beloved former students and patients.

They dance on Wednesday mornings -at the Eagles and VFW and attend community events.

They share a philosophy that when life gets dull, it's time to learn. Thus, Kate learned to play the organ after age 70. Alan plans to learn, too.

Both have traveled extensively. Kate will casually mention traveling around the world to Moscow, Finland, Japan, China and Egypt. Alan mentions the idea of traveling down the Danube River through various countries.

They have learned there are many advantages to being in love at this wonderful age. From not sleeping alone, to companionship, to sharing ideas, life is anything but lonely these days.

Besides, as Alan confesses, "She lets me cook and I love to cook. We take care of one another."

He says, "It's exciting to live with her positives."

She says, "I have someone to talk to...he is my most interesting friend."

Kate emphasizes it is important to follow one's heart. It is this belief that led her to the man of her dreams.

In a brief, serious moment, she lovingly glances at Alan. Kate is blunt: "I want to die before he does. I want to have him right up to the last...beside me. This is love. This is it."

On the lighter side, Alan explains, "We're still discovering how wonderful it is to be together. I think what we are going to do is have fun!"

He smiles and declares, "It really is a fairy tale story."