Not the most eye popping “How we met” story, but it is our story, and we will be proud of how it all began because it is who made us, us. Our story begins about seven years ago. Between being a single Dad, both having full time jobs, and both being full-time students, we met at Texas Roadhouse, and I for one (Chas Johns) am glad I got to the girl first! It doesn’t matter to me where you meet the one, because that one is too special to let slip through your fingers. For two people at such a busy time in our lives, our conversations began with walks out of work together and long conversations in the parking lot. Good OL’ Applebee’s is where the magic of our first date happened. Between our favorite appetizers, similar beers (she Likes Beer!!), sports, and music, similarities began to fly. When you meet someone that special you hold onto them tightly. So even though it’s been seven years since we met added another baby and started our own family, five years of engagement, we are still eager to seal the deal and finally get married! - -Chas - - Chas wrote the above story over a year ago for what we thought was going to be our wedding date. So much has changed one year and we both agree it is important to reflect on this. After many years we were ecstatic to finally be getting married and officially being husband and wife! It was during this time I discovered, despite being organized, I am a horrible party planner and wedding planning was not my forte. Luckily, I found the best wedding planner to help me out (Thank you Sabrina!).

Approximately one month before our wedding, we had to cancel our wedding due to Covid-19. It was heartbreaking to cancel, without knowing when we could safely reschedule. The day of what was supposed to be our wedding, our local family and friends, many of whom we had not seen in over month, did a drive-by celebration for us. Each car was decorated and had a sign or balloon, music playing and horns honking. It was spectacular to see, enjoyable and it touched us that our family and friends orchestrated this for us. After the drive-by celebration, that was it. Our “wedding day” had passed and we were not married. Chas and I with our families had discussed getting married at the courthouse or virtually and holding a celebration later, but it just did not feel right to do it without the opportunity of having the most important people in our lives present.

As with the rest of the world, Covid-19 has turned our world upside down -- some good and some bad. Virtual learning was a monster for Little Chas to overcome. Eleanor struggled with social distancing and not being able to see her grandparents consistently, or when she did, she was not able to hug them. She thought she had done something wrong. Chas’ job successfully adapted, but it was not an easy process. I had to leave the hospital and team I had been with for 4 years, due to the unpredictability of the hospital staffing. I started in CV-ICU at a new hospital. A pandemic is a scary time to start an ICU; I have seen this virus in the deadliest form. BUT Little Chas has become a more independent learner and increased his reading level more rapidly than to be expected. Eleanor learned about the importance of science (handwashing, germs and how they spread) and about the importance of phone calls and other ways of showing people you love them when you cannot see them. Chas and I improved our communication, teamwork and altogether love and relationship. We empathize with everyone’s anxiety, frustration, feelings of loss of control, fear and we understand it has been a problematic year for everyone. For us, it is time for us to focus on something fun and something good. It is time for US! As we all adapt to an uncertain time with Covid-19, we are prepared to take every precaution necessary to make our wedding safe for our guests. Our wedding is happening, and we look forward to celebrating with you all in person or in spirit on April 11, 2021.