Tanya & Lee: A Love Story Without Limits

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating a love story that defies limitations and proves that true love knows no bounds. Tanya and Lee, a couple brought together by their shared experience with multiple sclerosis (MS), have built a life filled with laughter, adventure and support for one another.

It all started with an online connection—one that almost didn’t happen.

“I couldn’t get into the [dating] site because my membership ran out,” Tanya recalls. “I really wanted to talk to him because he was really the only one that had MS who reached out to me. I thought, ‘The only way I can do this is to go to Facebook.’”

Taking a leap of faith, she sent him a message.

Lee remembers that moment well.

“She messaged me through Facebook Messenger, and I was like, ‘Oh, I know that girl! She’s a cutie!’ At the start we planned to just be friends, just so we had someone to talk to and go through our problems. But then it just developed and we thought, ‘Let’s do this.’”

The couple, who lived in different states, made it work by meeting halfway in Vermont until they could move in together. Despite the challenges, they found ways to support one another, always pushing forward together.

“It’s a struggle, but we do it,” Lee shares. “We mow our own lawn. We even had our UTV brought to MobilityWorks and they installed hand controls, so we plow our own driveway.”

Their love is built on mutual understanding and teamwork.

“Still to this day, we’ve never had an argument,” Lee says. “People think it’s weird, but we’ve never fought or argued because we know we both are going through this, and we have to deal with it.”

Their daily routine is filled with simple joys—morning coffee, exercising and taking care of their home together. They even go hunting together near their house.

“We’re always busy around the house doing something—spring cleaning, we clean our siding, we do our own garden—all in the scooter,” Tanya explains.

Mobility plays a significant role in their lives. In 2023, they purchased a new Honda Odyssey from MobilityWorks, allowing them to travel comfortably with their scooters.

“I go in first, I lift my scooter up and put it over to the side, and get in the passenger side,” Lee says. “She does most of the driving. Then she drives in and she transfers over to the front seat and that’s how we do it. We drive to New York two or three times a year to see my parents.”

When asked if they have plans for Valentine’s Day, they agreed love isn’t about extravagant gestures—it’s about the everyday moments.

“We don’t do surprises,” Lee says. “We’re together 24/7. We might have a special dinner or rent a movie.”

Their advice for others seeking love?

“There’s someone out there for everyone,” Lee says. “If we can find love with the disabilities we have, anyone can. You just have to look in the right place.”

“And don’t give up even if you’ve been through relationships and bad marriages, like we both have,” Tanya emphasizes. “There is your special somebody out there. Your best friend.”

Their love story is proof that true love is about partnership, perseverance and finding joy in the little things. This Valentine’s Day, Tanya and Lee remind us all that love—real, beautiful, unconditional love—has no limits.