To Have and To Hold

Our story began with a simple but shy message saying something similar to “hello, how are you? I don’t usually say hello first but I like your profile and thought I’d take a chance.” One week later I received a response from Rory apologizing for taking so long to reply. He explained that he had been working overtime which prompted the start of our daily conversations. We quickly began talking daily and sharing more with each other about ourselves, our families, and even the simple day to day events. Trying to find time together while juggling a long distance relationship, busy schedules, kids, and navigating through a global pandemic has not been without its challenges. Through it all Rory and I have supported each other and grown deeper in love with every day. Our story is proof that love is an awesome force.

So I racked my brain on how I was going to ask since Theresa didn’t want a in public with lots of strangers around. It took me a few weeks to figure it out but I finally came up with a plan that included the kids. First thing was first I had to get permission, so I sat down with Gracie her oldest daughter and asked her she nodded and said yesss !!!! I then messaged Jenn Theresa’s sister and collaborated with her. This is when the idea of having the kids holding up signs reading “You Stole my heart will you steal my last name and marry me” and I was going to have them stand in front of the fire truck and my Ambulance. I was graduating and was going to have everyone there so I figured it was going to be the perfect time. Everything the day of could not of turned out more perfect. Jenn was able to leave ahead of time to get the kids ready which Theresa thought she was taking them back to Chattanooga. My county was able to chill out long enough to leave my ambulance and fire truck there to be apart of the special day. Even the rain stopped. When we were on the way back to my house the plan was for Caleb to say hey dad I gotta go potty really badly and it’s on the way. So when we got close he forgot and I said hey Caleb don’t you need to go potty he said ohhh yeah and we pulled over there and got out he sold needing to go potty extremely well because the child lock was on and he started freaking out . I had them pull out the Engine and Ambulance with the lights on for us. I said let’s hop out and see what’s going on. We walked around the Ambulance and the kids started walking out one by one with their signs in their hands. She then started crying saying it was my day. I got down on one knee after fighting like hell with the tiny bag the ring was in and then put it on her finger and I picked her up and kissed her.