Have you ever heard the name, Winston Howe? More than likely, it doesn’t ring a bell but as you are about to see, he may just be a man that is well worth knowing. As a husband, he loved his wife who was named Janet. The two could be considered soulmates and they became life partners after he fell in love at first sight.
Day by day the love continued to get stronger after they got married in 1962.
The relationship that they shared was not only amazing to them, it also touched many people in the community. They continued to be a loving husband and wife together with each other for 33 years. As is too often the case, the love didn’t last forever because Janet died of a heart attack after the 33 years had passed. No longer were they together as husband and wife.
When Janet and Winston were married in 1962 they moved into a farmhouse. It was on 112 acres of beautiful property in the English countryside. Janet gave birth to a son not long after they moved in and they lived a life that was straight out of a fairytale.
The son was strong and healthy and the family farm continued to do well. It almost seemed as if life was perfect on their property in Wickwar, Gloucestershire where they lived for more than 30 years.
In 1995, Janet had a heart attack when she was only 50 years old and passed away suddenly. Winston was devastated as his world had suddenly changed so drastically.
Winston planted 6000 oak trees as a tribute in special memory to his late wife. They had shared a farm together so he chose a field on the farm. It was a sacred place where the family could go to be closer to her when times were difficult. Once he started planting trees, he kept planting.
It wasn’t the fact that the trees made it special, there was a hidden meaning on the inside that people couldn’t see. He made a meadow in the center that was in the shape of a heart.
For 17 years, the heart-shaped meadow was hidden from sight and he didn’t let on that it existed. In 2012, however, Andy Collett uncovered the secret when he flew over in a hot air balloon.
"You can just imagine the love story. 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,” Andy said.
The point of the heart is pointing the way toward Janet’s childhood home. A hedge also surrounds the meadow and daffodils bloom during the springtime.
"I thought it was a great idea — it was a flash of inspiration — and I planted several thousand oak trees. Once it was completed we put a seat in the field, overlooking the hill near where she used to live,” an emotional Winston said
Winston says that there are still times when he will go to the meadow and reflect on his life.
"It is a lovely and lasting tribute to her which will be here for years,” Winston said.
Janet may be gone but Winston knows she would have loved the meadow that was created in her honor.
