The moment Beverly Carriveau first saw Bob Parsons, it felt like a bolt of lightning had passed between them.

“This man stepped out of a taxi, and we just stared at each other,” Beverly recalls today. “You have to remember, this was the ‘60s. Girls didn’t stare at men. But it was like a thunderbolt.”

It was June 1968. Beverly, a 23-year-old Canadian university librarian, was on vacation in Mazatlán, Mexico, with a close friend. She had arrived that morning, captivated by the stunning Pacific views, vibrant colonial architecture, and swaying palm trees.

While browsing a hotel gift shop, Beverly’s eyes locked onto a man stepping out of a taxi in the parking lot. He was tall, handsome, and utterly mesmerizing. Embarrassed by their prolonged eye contact, she quickly purchased a pair of earrings and left.

That evening, over dinner, Beverly confided in her friend about the striking encounter. Then, a waiter approached with a bottle of white wine. “This is from a gentleman at the bar,” he said.

Beverly usually declined drinks from strangers, especially since she had a serious boyfriend back home in Canada. But something about this moment felt different. After a brief hesitation, she and her friend accepted the bottle, though they had no idea who had sent it.

Curious, Beverly made her way to the bar—and once again locked eyes with the man from the taxi. He raised his glass and smiled, and Beverly, flustered, invited him to join their table.

His name was Bob Parsons, a 30-year-old yacht captain from the U.S. He managed several boats, including one named Sugar Shack, which was docked in Mazatlán. Throughout the evening, Beverly felt the same inexplicable connection she had experienced earlier.

Later, Bob suggested they visit Copa de Leche, a beachside bar. Beverly hesitated, unsure about going out with a man she had just met. But her friend wanted to go, so she agreed—though she made it clear it “didn’t mean anything.”

That night, they drank, danced, and talked for hours. Despite her reservations—her father had always warned her about sailors, and she had a boyfriend back home—Beverly couldn’t shake the feeling that Bob was different.

For the rest of her vacation, Beverly and Bob spent every evening together, always accompanied by her friend. Before she left, she gave Bob her contact details.

When she arrived home in Vancouver, she rushed to check her mail, hoping for a letter from Bob. There wasn’t one—but there was a note from her roommate that read, "Who the hell is Captain Parsons on the Sugar Shack?"

Bob had already called. And at that moment, Beverly knew she had to see where this connection would lead.

The next day, before her longtime boyfriend Doug could even take off his jacket, she blurted out, "Doug, I’ve met someone."

Doug was stunned but encouraged her to go back to Mexico and figure things out. And so, she did.