Reunited and it feels so good

Doug and Sabrina Brinson tied the knot on Aug. 12 after knowing each other for more than 50 years.

BY DEXTER MCCREE | Feature Writer

ST. PETERSBURG — Doug Brinson and Sabrina Green have known each other for more than 50 years, growing up in the same Highland Oaks neighborhood. In elementary school, they were in puppy love from age 10-12, then outgrew each other.

They went to different Pinellas County high schools, with Sabrina attending Boca Ciega and Doug going to Gibbs. As life would have it, time and chance separated the two, and they eventually lost contact.

After graduation, Sabrina went to the military, where she spent 20 years serving in the United States Navy. She worked in executive administration and has since retired. Doug spent a career with Suddath Moving Company, traveling throughout the United States, packing and moving families from state to state. After an injury, he also retired.

They both were previously married and had adult children. Now, 45 years later, the two retirees reconnected — reunited, and it feels so good.

The two met up again in April 2021, when Doug’s twin brother Joseph, one of Sabrina’s best friends, was losing his battle with cancer and given only 48 hours to live. She came over to visit him and pay her respects when she saw Doug.

Intertwined within the condolences, they reminisced about their time as childhood sweethearts, using a graveyard as their playground and hanging out at each other’s home every day. The spark reignited.

“When we reconnected, seeing her for the first time during her visit with my brother, I was melting and peeping out the blinds as she was leaving, saying to myself, ‘She’s going to be my wife,’” Doug recalled.

While talking all night on the phone, he realized he had fallen in love again, and they had not even gone on their first date. Sabrina, on the other hand, did not see what was about to become.

“With Doug, I never saw it coming because, after the loss of my late husband, I felt like that was it for me. No more! I am going to throw myself into family and be alone for the rest of my life, but God had other plans,” said Sabrina.

On Aug. 12, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., they were married. It was beautiful and amazing, as described by Doug.

Overcome with emotions and joy, Doug could not help but break down in tears seeing such a beautiful woman coming down the aisle!

“God brought us together. For 15 years, the Lord always would say to me, ‘Just wait and be patient, I have somebody for you,’ and I am so glad I listened and obeyed,” said Doug.

Recently, the couple flew to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to relax and celebrate their honeymoon. While enjoying sunset dining, touring the rain forest on four-wheelers and experiencing an island pig roast, reuniting with his former puppy love partner never felt so good.