Photo Found of Anne Frank's One True Love | Peter Schiff Photo

In her diary, Anne Frank had nothing but praise for Peter Schiff (not to be confused with Peter Van Daan, who hid in the secret annexe together with Anne and their families), who she believed to be her 'one true love.' She recalls how when she was about 11 years old, they were 'inseparable' for one summer, and would stroll hand in hand along the neighborhood. She loved his looks, his intelligence, and she was 'mad about his laugh, above all'.

Now, at last, a photo of Peter has been donated to the Anne Frank Museum by Peter's childhood friend and classmate, Ernst Michaelis. Finally, we can see what exactly Anne meant when she described his 'wonderful brown eyes' and mischievous smile.

Anne Frank lived with her family in hiding during WWII. They remained in a secret annexe for more than two years before their hiding place was revealed to the Nazis and they were sent to concentration camps.

During her two years in the cramped secret rooms she shared with seven more people, Anne recorded her feelings, thoughts, and events that occurred.

In the diary of Anne Frank, she wrote about Peter, after dreaming of him one night: "Oh Petel...I love you, and with such a great love that it can't grow in my heart any more..."

http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?PID=832&LID=2

The photo Peter gave to his friend Ernst
The friends exchanged photos before they parted in Berlin in the late 1930's. Peter went to Amsterdam with his mother and stepfather, and Ernst left for England on a Kindertransport. (Photograph: Copyright property of Ernst Michaelis)