"She's changed her address and all and moved to a different mansion that I expect to join her in one day. I'm very confident of that," Pat Boone said.
Pat Boone, the iconic musician known for his hits in the 1950s, such as Don't Forbid Me and Bernadine, has always been a family man. While other artists of his time enjoyed the bachelor lifestyle, Pat found love early in life when he met his wife, Shirley Boone, as a teenager. Their love was immediate and intense, leading them to embark on a lifelong journey together. Pat and Shirley first crossed paths at the young age of 16 and quickly developed a strong connection, per PEOPLE. Despite their tender age, their love was genuine and deep. They began dating soon after their initial meeting, but it was three years later, when Shirley's family planned to move away, that Pat realized he couldn't bear to be apart from her.
Following her death, Pat, 84, told PEOPLE that he intended to meet his longtime love again someday because, as he put it, she just changed addresses. "We lived a wonderful, blessed life together for 65 years. I've parted with my better half for a little while… but we don't die, we just move on to another place, and today was moving day. She's changed her address and all and moved to a different mansion that I expect to join her in one day. I'm very confident of that," he said.
"That took the sting out of what happened today because we know we're gonna be together again and have a whole new beginning," he added. When asked about the secret to their enduring marriage, Pat attributed it to his wife's wonderful qualities and their shared faith. Their commitment to each other and to God helped guide them through the challenges they faced. Despite the difficulties, they remained steadfast in their love and support for one another. Sadly, Shirley passed away in 2019 due to complications from vasculitis, a condition she had contracted the previous year.
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Pat continues to reside in the home he shared with Shirley, finding comfort in their memories. Although he now lives alone with his housekeeper and his faithful dog, Shadow, who provides companionship in moments of sorrow, Pat remains strong. He cherishes the time he shared with his beloved wife and believes that their separation is only temporary. He knows that one day, he will be reunited with Shirley in a different realm. Pat firmly believes that death is not an end but a transition to a new beginning. This belief brings him comfort and eases the pain of their physical separation.
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“I’m living here alone with a housekeeper and my dog, a little cocker spaniel. Shadow is his name,” he tells Closer Weekly. “It’s just me and my shadow, all alone and feeling blue. I’m doing fine. I mean, gosh, I miss her,” he added. He knows that one day, he will be reunited with his "better half" and embark on a new journey together. Until then, he continues to honor Shirley's memory and finds solace in the love that surrounds him.
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Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by George Freston
