Photo Credit (Pixabay)
Before Leroy Harris’s erroneous conviction in 1989 tore them apart for almost thirty years, he and Gwen Harris were childhood sweethearts. A year after he was released from prison in 2016, they were married and have been rekindling their relationship. He spoke the following about their love.
My childhood sweetheart is Gwen. When we were young, we met in Brooklyn. We were always respectful of one another. We never really had a relationship, even though we would say “hi” to each other when we saw one another. It wasn’t until we got together that we realized how much we liked one anotheranotheranotheranotheranother, even though we had always liked each other.
While attending Thomas Jefferson High School in 1978, we began dating. We were just conversing and getting to know one another personally when we were 17 or 18. Gwen learnt my preferences, and I learnt hers. I thought that was a lovely thing. We were young, infatuated, and completely enamoured with one another.
We were young, infatuated, and completely enamoured with one another.
Gwen and I moved in together after high school, and we had a daughter. I was pulled away from both of them in 1989 after being falsely convicted of a crime I didn’t commit.
During my time in prison, I maintained contact with Gwen. Although it was difficult for us both, she used to come see me. Every time she came to visit, it was sad to watch her go alone, but it was always good to have her support. Time and time again, it seemed like torment.
She also suffered emotionally as a result. On the surface, it seemed as though she was spending time with me.
It was all too much for me, so I prevented her from bringing my daughter to come visit. At the time, it would have also been too much for my daughter. But Gwen, my wife, persevered.
After being apart from my family for almost thirty years, I was freed from prison on November 21, 2017. I saw Gwen as soon as I stepped out of the gate. We strolled hand in hand down the block after exchanging kisses and hugs. It was among my favourite emotions in a long time. I will always remember that feeling.
Gwen and I got married at City Hall a year later. I would have wed her sooner, but I was taken away before we could get married.
On their wedding day, Gwen and Leroy.
Gwen can be overly protective at times since she doesn’t want anything similar to happen ever again. However, now that I’m free, I occasionally wish I could travel around, see the guys, and enjoy some small liberties. However, I recognise that Gwen is acting out of love.
The poem I wrote for Gwen, “Beautiful,” captures her soul the best. This is how it works:
Beauty does what beauty does.
Beauty had no idea what it was.
The thrill of the heart is beauty.
Beauty is always so radiant.
For beauty is a wink, a frown, a kiss, a grin,
Your tenderness, your spirit, your heart.
You are only beautiful.
I think you’re gorgeous.
I simply adore being with Gwen. We visit a cinema theatre. We eat out. We make jokes. We chuckle. We work out. We visit the park and take a stroll down the track. Together, we simply enjoy ourselves. We’re rekindling what was always there between us, in my opinion.
