Please use tabs above for travel information, RSVP to the event. Wedding 9/7/24 Pearl River, LA or Reception 9/28/24 Memphis, TN

I first met John and Pam at Memphis Sports Pub when I worked karaoke on Saturday nights. Always so sweet and fun to be around. Raising one boy on my own was challenging to say the least. Pam, having raised 5 boys was always there to lend advice, an ear, a hug, and just genuine friendship. She was always comforting, especially after the passing of my boyfriend Billy. I looked forward to seeing them each week and am forever grateful for the love and compassion they both showed. After John lost Pam suddenly, I reached out to him offering an ear and comfort during a very hard time. Invited him to my friend grief group on Sundays, crawfish boils and anytime we were out to try to help him get through some hard days. Trust me when I say that man did not want to smile! He felt, without his best friend and wife of 41 years, there was not much to smile about. While we all understood his pain, slowly he saw that even while I was grieving Billy's loss 3 years later, there was hope to smile again. Over time, if you found Denise and her friend Aaron anywhere, you would find John too. He was learning to smile again and it was great to be a part of that. While MANY people thought we were dating at this point, (hence the it's a date but it's not a date lol) we absolutely were not even thinking of that. Genuinely enjoying being able to have a group of friends that were outside of our grief, not always a constant reminder of our pain was a breath of fresh air we both needed. Many months later, John won tickets through his work for a Memphis Redbirds game and invited me along. I had not been to a game without Billy and was a little nervous but thought it would be fun! (Whoops, I went to 1 game with the Balton's for Easter the year Billy passed. Also, the shirt I wore to the game with John was given to me by Tracy Balton on the day of the game!) Anyhooo, we went to the game together. A few innings in, I got pretty emotional and asked if it was okay to leave early. Of course, John completely understood how I felt and we left the game. We sat in the car for a bit, while I cried and John tried to comfort me. We talked about how we felt guilty for being happy and living life without our significant others. A lot of talking later and some crying on each others shoulders, John said, "I think I want to kiss you now". After that first kiss, we decided we did in fact have feelings for each other and we should maybe, secretly, see how we felt about that. That game became our first date! We tried to keep the secret but just couldn't! With our children's blessing, we decided to dive in head first! Best decision ever! Over the course of our 2 years together, we share our grief together. We remember Pam and Billy and always will! We talked about getting married one day but I never expected the proposal as it happened April 8, 2024 on the White River in Arkansas for the eclipse, during totality! The rest has been a whirlwind of trying to prepare for this day with all our family and friends! Initially, we were going to elope, but this has worked out just as it should have! We can not wait to celebrate with each of you! John & Denise.....(almost) Flynn