A Love Rewritten: Darice & Mitch’s Story of Serendipity, Separation, and Second Chances
When love shows up in unexpected places—and returns when you least expect it—that’s more than a rom-com plotline. That’s Darice and Mitch’s real-life journey. As shared on Second Chance on Love: Side B, this story spans decades, states, and spiritual awakenings. Here’s a deeper look at their once-in-a-lifetime connection.
Where Did You Meet?
In 1989, Darice placed a simple phone call to her dad at work. That call was answered by a young assistant manager named Mitch, who happened to be temporarily covering the receptionist’s desk at Landa, a pressure-washer company in Oregon. One charming voice later—and a spontaneous visit to put a face to that voice—Darice and Mitch crossed paths in a way no dating app could ever replicate.
As Mitch recalls:
“I answered the phone and said, ‘Thank you for calling Landa, how can I help you?’ Next thing I know, her dad storms in asking what I said to his daughter!”
Little did they know that one phone call would echo across the next 35 years.
When Did the Spark Begin?
The spark was instant—and unmistakably vocal. For Darice, it began with Mitch’s voice on that first call:
“Not every guy’s voice hits me like that. I wondered—how old is he?”
For Mitch, the connection clicked the moment Darice walked in to see her dad:
“She was the most attractive young woman I had ever seen… I wasn’t dating because I was preparing for a church mission, but I thought—maybe just one date.”
That “one date” turned into photo-booth snapshots, snickerdoodles, and handwritten letters that crossed oceans. Mitch left for a two-year mission in Australia, and Darice became his most consistent pen pal—letters lightly scented with perfume, joy traveling by mail.
What Led to Your Separation?
In short? A little youthful confusion and a dash of overprotective sibling advice.
When Mitch returned from his mission, Darice was ready to reconnect. Mitch even surprised her at a restaurant with her family—leather jacket and all. But the reunion took a turn neither expected.
Caught between spiritual pressure and fear of focusing on physical attraction, Mitch hesitated:
“I thought I should see other people to make sure I wasn’t just focusing on how attracted I was to her.”
Darice was stunned.
“I was shocked. It made me feel so sad. I was 19. I didn’t know what to do, so I waited. And I waited. And eventually, I gave up hope.”
Life carried them in different directions—marriages, families, careers—yet a quiet thread remained.
How Did You Find Your Way Back?
Fast-forward to 2025. Darice had just lost her mother and was navigating divorce and heartbreak—a time she calls her darkest hole.
And then: a message.
From Mitch.
Out of the blue.
“I was sitting alone and had this overwhelming thought: ‘Text Darice.’ I hadn’t seen or talked to her in over 30 years. But something—or Someone—told me I had to.”
That message—part gratitude, part life update, part miracle—arrived at exactly the right moment. It wasn’t nostalgia. It was a reconnection that felt divinely timed.
“It wasn’t weird,” Darice says now. “It was amazing.”
What Did You Learn Along the Way?
Darice and Mitch agree time taught them how to truly appreciate each other.
Mitch reflects,
“I always knew she was amazing, but I had to live a full life to realize how rare she really was.”
Darice adds,
“We both had joy before. But this is different. This is peace, trust, and joy erupting like a volcano.”
They’ve now been married six months. They pray together, sing hymns, share testimonies—and still dance in grocery-store parking lots. And maybe the most telling detail? Darice’s cactus, which hadn’t bloomed in years, flowered within weeks of their reunion.
Final Word
Darice and Mitch’s story reminds us that love isn’t always lost—sometimes it’s just paused until we’re ready. Whether you’re navigating heartbreak or waiting for life’s next chapter, don’t underestimate the power of faith, timing, and one unexpected message.
Love might still be on the line. xo
