We are so very happy to announce the wedding of Rebecca Elizabeth Hillman and Jesse Daniel Morgan, two West Carroll Parish kids from the little town of Pioneer. The wedding is to take place at the Lake Cheniere Lodge in West Monroe at 4 o'clock P. M., reception to follow. More details will be posted as the date approaches. Please join our family in celebrating the union of two very special people.

We first met at our little grade school, Forest High School. It would have been in 3rd grade, Mrs. Lyde Rawls' class. Jesse would tell you that he was Mrs. Rawls' favorite student, but I still think that is up for debate. You could say Jesse was sweet on me, as we did "court" for a little while, trading Valentines and playing together at recess, like little children do. We stayed friends all thought middle school. In between junior high and adulthood, we went our separate ways, and drifted apart. It wasn't until much later that fate intervened when Mamaw Mary Hillman stopped by to tend to some business at her local bank, where Jesse happened to work at the time. If you know Mamaw Mary, then you know she is always bragging about all of her grandchildren, as we are all a pretty good bunch of kids. Somehow I came up, and Jesse asked about me. He later sent me a message asking for a coffee date, eventually I agreed to go with him, although it took me a good while before I made up my mind. A simple coffee date turned into dinner and a movie, and a shopping trip. We had the best of times catching up. Fast forward a couple years and here we are. It has been a wonderful adventure, and I can't wait to see what we do together, my partner in crime. - Rebecca

You know, I had bought it months earlier with the thought to hold onto it for the right time. Romantic settings were often in short supply, and my desire was to impress Rebecca with some grand display of affection. By then, a small gold ring was burning a hole through my pocket. When I found out that the planets would be aligning on December 21st , I began to think that might be the best chance I’ll get. The planets would literally be aligned. It’s the day of and there are no events happening with the slightest inclination of romance. I’ll have to manage on my own. I throw together enough wood for a fire in the backyard, set up some chairs, and wait. I check my phone constantly for updates on the perfect time to view the planets and check in on my fire often to make sure it isn't burning out on me, all while trying not to ooze suspicion from every pore, lest Rebecca catch on. Then finally the time arrives. We go out to the fire pit aaaaand it's out. Ok well there is still time, and I suppose we could sit in the dark. The ring box has a light; it that will work. Now at this point I hadn’t really planned my words, I figured I would speak from the heart and that’s what I did. “This year has been hard. And I don’t mean just for me or even you. This has been a hard year for everyone. There has been a lot of darkness in my life. Moments in time that you wonder how you’re going to get through them, If you’re ever going to see the light again after them, and if you do, how could it ever be as bright. Tonight happens to be the winter solstice, you know. Today is the day that the sun begins to rise and stay in the sky longer. It’s a day that means it does get better, and that the darkness does fade. Rebecca, I want you to know that you make me feel that way every day. With you I can get up every morning and face the day knowing that the darkness will fade just a little more. With you every day is a little better, a little brighter, than the last. Would you marry me? -Jesse