We're Getting Married!

Once Upon a Time... Our story begins in Troy, Alabama — a small town of about 18,000 people where pretty much everyone knows everyone. At the time, John was coaching football and I was coaching soccer at the university. We met at a Troy baseball game behind the outfield, in a spot locals know as Doubles Alley. It was one of those sweltering summer days — about 98 degrees — and a group of football coaches showed up with a backpack full of beer. Among them was John. Unlike the rest of the coaches, he wasn’t wearing any Troy gear (he had just gotten to town), so I assumed he was just a visiting friend. We were all hanging out, talking, when John reached into the backpack, cracked open a beer — and it sprayed all over my arm and leg. I didn’t say anything and just let it go (which, if you know me, says a lot). Apparently it was one of those days, because just three minutes later, he did it again — another beer, another splash. That’s when my New York self came out against this sweet, quiet little Georgia boy. After I yelled at him and pointed out that he’d now covered me in beer twice, I asked, “Who are you? What’s your name?” He smiled and said, “I’m John, the new Safeties GA.” I was shocked. “You go here!?” In a town like Troy, especially working in athletics, you know everybody. So the fact that I didn’t know him was a surprise. But from that moment on, we hit it off. We spent the rest of the game — and extra innings — swapping stories and laughing. Troy ended up winning that night, but honestly, I don’t think either of us watched another pitch. And the rest... is history.