Twenty-five years ago, amidst the fear and uncertainty following the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, a love story began to unfold in Gander, Newfoundland. Nick Marson, a British businessman, and Diane, a Texan woman, were among the thousands of passengers whose flights were diverted to the Canadian island. Their unexpected meeting in a crowded shelter marked the beginning of a romance that would span continents and inspire the award-winning Broadway musical "Come From Away."
Marson had been en route from London to Houston when U.S. airspace closed. His flight, along with 37 others, was rerouted to Gander, a small town that suddenly found itself accommodating nearly 7,000 unexpected visitors. Marson was assigned a cot at the Society of United Fisherman hall in Gambo, a nearby community.
It was there, while waiting for a blanket, that he met Diane. They bonded over shared humor and found common ground despite their different backgrounds. Both were divorcees with grown children and prioritized family values. Their connection was immediate, leading them to choose adjacent cots for their stay.
The following day, seeking a reprieve from the constant news coverage of the attacks, they went for a walk. It was during this conversation that they realized they had been on the same diverted flight. Though from different countries, their shared experiences and values created a strong bond. "We both had similar values," Diane, now 85, told the Daily Mail. "Our families mean so much to us and we both try to be helpful and respectful to other people."
Their relationship quickly progressed. During a local tradition known as a "screech-in," where visitors drink alcohol and kiss a fish to become honorary Newfoundlanders, their chemistry was so evident that they were mistaken for a couple. The master of ceremonies, who was also a justice of the peace, even offered to marry them on the spot.
Nick, now 77, recalled wanting a photograph at the Dover Fault geological site to remember their time together. He specifically asked Diane to be in the picture, not wanting to forget what she looked like. "I wanted to make sure that I remembered what she looked like… I didn't want to forget. And at that point, I didn't think I'd ever see her again," he said. For Diane, this gesture confirmed his interest.
Five days after their arrival, as air travel resumed, Marson and Diane boarded a bus together to their departing plane. Overcome with emotion and the kindness they had received from the Newfoundlanders, Diane began to cry. Nick comforted her, leading to a spontaneous kiss. "I just grabbed him and kissed him because I thought if I don't, I'll never have another chance," Diane recounted. "He lived 5,000 miles away – the chances of us ever meeting were about zero."
Their connection solidified during the flight home, where they "canoodled" so much that a flight attendant jokingly offered them cold towels. Upon returning to their respective countries, they maintained contact through emails and long phone calls. Within two months, Marson had traveled to Houston again, and he proposed over the phone shortly after. They married on September 7, 2002, less than a year after they first met.
Their honeymoon was a return to Newfoundland, where they had planned a thank-you dinner for the islanders. Instead, they were surprised with a wedding reception. "We made so many memories with all of the people up there," Diane said. "We spent the week of our honeymoon with the people that had looked after us."
While their story was known locally, it gained wider recognition in 2010 when featured in Tom Brokaw's documentary about Gander's role in "Operation Yellow Ribbon." Three years later, their experiences became the inspiration for "Come From Away," a musical that debuted on Broadway in 2017. The couple had given the musical's creators their blessing in 2011.
The Marsons have seen the musical over 160 times and consider it a way to relive their memories. "Diane says every time we see it, it's like we're renewing our vows," Nick said. "It takes us back to those wonderful five days… sometimes, you think, 'Was it real?'"
Now, 25 years later, the couple reflects on their journey. Marson acknowledged that they have moved past the initial survivor's guilt. "You realize that there are good and bad things that happen in life and you have to navigate all of it. We didn't cause it, so we probably shouldn't feel guilty that we found each other," he stated. For Diane, their story underscores the importance of cherishing their time together. "We just enjoy spending time together because we know how precious it is."