Video taking off 78x its usual first day

A stone marked "Smile" starts Michigan newlyweds' love story

Steve Hartman's CBS Evening News report follows two contented lifelong singles from a chance meeting in cardiac rehab to their wedding.

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CBS Evening News Story of November 8, 2026Trari Newsroom

No. 8 on the Lifestyle chart

Why this story? The video opened at a pace of 609,417 views a day, 78 times a normal first day on this channel (7,779).

After decades alone, 2 Michigan singles find unexpected love

"I was alone, but I wasn't lonely," Al Sager tells Steve Hartman. Susan, his new wife, had been happy living single too. That is what makes their wedding story more interesting than a tale of two people waiting for love: neither was waiting.

The Bay City, Michigan, couple met while attending cardiac rehab after heart procedures. Susan was on a treadmill when she noticed Al on an exercise bike. Her opening move was small enough to hold in a hand: a stone painted with the word "Smile."

Al didn't immediately read it as romance. "I thought she was trying to tell me, 'Hey, you don't smile enough.'" Hartman demonstrates the exercise-room setup, then lets wedding footage and the relatives' surprised reactions show how far that little gesture traveled.

The On the Road segment drew roughly 609,000 views in its first day, far beyond the few thousand usual for a CBS Evening News Short. The comments were unusually busy too. Viewers pick up on Al's distinction between being alone and being lonely, while others describe the report as a welcome change from troubling headlines.

Now newlyweds in their sixties and seventies, the pair have a wedding album to follow that first gift. Susan's verdict on her approach is brief: "This rock rocked."

Published on Trari

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What viewers say

" I was alone but I wasn't lonely"❤ That's the key, find happiness while we're alone, so if it comes, it comes. 🙏🏽
@irenemedina5062See it on YouTube
In a world with so many problems, thank you for this story.
@JohnADuerkSee it on YouTube
She looks lovely in that bridal gown. May they have many happy years together.
@jennymacallan9071See it on YouTube

4 more comments

Congratulations to both of them! We need more good news like this.
@RunningTooFast1257See it on YouTube
The wait was worth it
@CJD2893See it on YouTube
thanks for reminding me not to give up, congrats! 🥳 🎉 👏
@allisonyearwood8580See it on YouTube
Beautiful. So glad they found each other. ❤
@deborahpensa5211See it on YouTube