The strangers who fell in love when 9/11 diverted their flight

Francesca Street, CNN
12 minute read
Published 9:01 AM EDT, Wed September 8, 2021
<strong>Nick and Diane: </strong>20 years ago, Nick Marson and Diane Kirschke were strangers who fell in love when their flight from London to Texas was diverted to Newfoundland, Canada during 9/11. Here they are in Newfoundland on a return trip in 2002.
Nick and Diane: 20 years ago, Nick Marson and Diane Kirschke were strangers who fell in love when their flight from London to Texas was diverted to Newfoundland, Canada during 9/11. Here they are in Newfoundland on a return trip in 2002.
Courtesy Nick and Diane Marson
<strong>20 years later:</strong> Two decades on, Nick and Diane are married and very happy. Here they are in August 2021, celebrating Diane's birthday.
20 years later: Two decades on, Nick and Diane are married and very happy. Here they are in August 2021, celebrating Diane's birthday.
Courtesy Nick and Diane Marson
<strong>Gander Airport:</strong> Nick and Diane's flight diverted to Gander -- a rural town with a big airport. 38 planes landed in Gander on September 11. Nick took this photo from the airplane window.
Gander Airport: Nick and Diane's flight diverted to Gander -- a rural town with a big airport. 38 planes landed in Gander on September 11. Nick took this photo from the airplane window.
Courtesy Nick and Diane Marson
<strong>Disembarking in Newfoundland</strong>: After the planes sat on the runway for hours, passengers were eventually permitted to deplane. Nick took this photo of the passengers disembarking from his flight.
Disembarking in Newfoundland: After the planes sat on the runway for hours, passengers were eventually permitted to deplane. Nick took this photo of the passengers disembarking from his flight.
Courtesy Nick and Diane Marson
<strong>Warm welcome:</strong> "They were so friendly and open," says Diane of the Newfoundland volunteers. "They just welcomed us. They didn't care who you were, where you came from, how much money was in your wallet, what kind of job you did -- we just needed help, and they were going to take care of us." This is the shelter where Nick and Diane met.
Warm welcome: "They were so friendly and open," says Diane of the Newfoundland volunteers. "They just welcomed us. They didn't care who you were, where you came from, how much money was in your wallet, what kind of job you did -- we just needed help, and they were going to take care of us." This is the shelter where Nick and Diane met.
Courtesy Nick and Diane Marson
<strong>Dover Fault: </strong>Over their five days in Newfoundland, Nick and Diane went on walks together including to Dover Fault. Nick took this photo of Diane. "I needed a picture to remind me that I hadn't dreamed all this up, these magical days, they actually really happened," says Nick now.
Dover Fault: Over their five days in Newfoundland, Nick and Diane went on walks together including to Dover Fault. Nick took this photo of Diane. "I needed a picture to remind me that I hadn't dreamed all this up, these magical days, they actually really happened," says Nick now.
Courtesy Nick and Diane Marson
<strong>Screechers:</strong> One evening, Diane and Nick were designated "honorary Newfoundlanders" via a Screech-In, a local tradition which involves several steps, including kissing a cod.
Screechers: One evening, Diane and Nick were designated "honorary Newfoundlanders" via a Screech-In, a local tradition which involves several steps, including kissing a cod.
Courtesy Nick and Diane Marson
<strong>Wedding day: </strong>Saying goodbye was hard, but it wasn't for long. Nick moved to Texas and the couple got married. Here they on their wedding day on September 7, 2002.
Wedding day: Saying goodbye was hard, but it wasn't for long. Nick moved to Texas and the couple got married. Here they on their wedding day on September 7, 2002.
Courtesy Nick and Diane Marson
<strong>Return to Newfoundland: </strong>They honeymooned in Newfoundland, where locals treated them to a surprise wedding reception, pictured here.
Return to Newfoundland: They honeymooned in Newfoundland, where locals treated them to a surprise wedding reception, pictured here.
Courtesy Nick and Diane Marson
<strong>Come From Away: </strong>Nick and Diane's story is one of several tales woven into the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical "Come From Away."
Come From Away: Nick and Diane's story is one of several tales woven into the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical "Come From Away."
Courtesy Nick and Diane Ma