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Absence Makes The Heart Go Yonder
alt title(s): They Did Not Wait
When a couple is separated against their wishes, and their love is particularly strong, it is fully expected that they will try to find eachother, and refrain from getting involved with anyone else. However, sometimes this doesn't work out so well, especially in the case of someone believing their lover will never come back, or that they are dead. But unexpectedly, their lover comes back to them, and they are happily reunited.

Or they would be if it wasn't for a little problem; they didn't wait. Not only did they not wait, but they've remarried. Not only did they not wait and remarry, but they've started a family!

If she wants to wait but is coerced into marrying, it's You Have Waited Long Enough — whereupon her true love will show up in time to save her from the wedding.

The name of this trope is a subversion of the popular saying, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." (although the original version of the saying was "Absence makes the heart grow fonder unless it makes the heart go yonder") The popular saying "Out of sight, out of mind" is more likely to be accurate, though.

Not related to the Trope Namer, the King's Quest game of the same name.

Constrast Second Love, The Mourning After, You Have Waited Long Enough, I Will Wait For You.

Examples:

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A subtrope involves a young man going on an adventure in order to impress the object of his affections, and returning to find that she's become engaged, or even married, while he was away. (Often her choice will demonstrate that what really impresses her is a man with a steady job who can be relied on to stay by her instead of disappearing off on adventures.) Examples: