Ellen’s friends (Angie, Cassie, Christine, Kari, and Meghan) urged her to start a Match.com account… they said she should do it or they would take action into their own hands. Well they scared Ellen (eek!), and within 24 hours, Ellen’s account was active and within 4 days Ellen stumbled upon Rich’s beautiful eyes. She messaged him via private message, they began exchanging messages within a few hours and stayed up messaging until almost 2am the next morning. What Ellen’s friends did was simply the best show of love any friend could do. They brought Ellen & Rich together. Rich and Ellen found they had way too much in common so they continued talking. Ellen always felt that her dad (John who passed in 2022) had something to do with their paths crossing. His values, interests, and even his mannerisms were way too much like her dad’s (but not in a creepy way, lol). They messaged for several days and then decided to exchange phone numbers. After several weeks, Rich visited Toledo, enjoyed a “Terrific Toledo Tour” which Ellen designed for him (she loves Toledo about as much as she loves Rich). They took things slow, learning about each other, and allowing their children to slowly become aware and accustomed to this new-found love. They live separately and quite some distance away, but thanks to Rich, they always find a way to connect. They have spoken (or texted) every day since January 18, 2024.