Welcome To Our Wedding Celebration.

In 2009 I attended the National Amatuer held in Hibbing,MN. I was a young dog trainer at Bay Blue Kennels summering AuGres, MI and wintering in Giddings, TX. This was the first national I volunteered for and I signed up as a bird thrower. While attending the cocktail party I met Paul and several other professionals with their clients. Later that year, a couple of Paul’s clients had sent me some young dogs to train. A professional relationship developed and grew. On occasion I would call on Paul to answer my training questions or listen to me vent about the unique lifestyle. All in all, we enjoyed a friendship and shared a common goal to train dogs to best of their abilities.

Life’s little mishaps that turn into immeasurable blessings. As time went on, I experienced some health issues and had to hang up my hat from training professionally. Wanting so badly to stay in the game I bought an All-Age dog and stepped into field trials as an Amatuer . Knowing Paul’s talent with All-Age dogs and his proximity to my home state it made his kennel a sensible choice for my developing dogs and I then became a client. Several coaching sessions and debates later it was time for me to compete with my dog. Paul made the best of a not very good dog and an even worse handler. He helped me and my dog reach ultimate success by winning an Amatuer stake at the cattle ranch in Greensboro, AL. Needless to say I was thrilled and very grateful for Paul’s exceptional work with my dog and I. After the passing of my grandparents and Paul’s father we developed a spiritual aspect to our friendship. Paul and I would encourage one another through scripture and verse. The years moved on, many twists and turns later life brought us both into a season of being single.

I had just moved to Oshkosh, WI to be closer to my dogs. It was a journey with new experiences around every turn. I started a new job, a new address and several new friends. The holidays were coming up and Paul had found out that I was going to be spending them away from my family. Having no invites extended, Paul asked me to join him and his mother, Kathy to spend Thanksgiving over at Paul’s aunt and uncles (Pat and Lindy Webster) It was a great time. The humor, games and family stories were very fun, providing much laughter. The next day there was a Milwaukee Herd (G league recruitment team) game in Oshkosh. Paul asked if I would like to go with him to the game. We went together and had an enjoyable experience. The competition was intense. We cheered and chatted well after the crowd cleared from the stadium. This would be the first date and basketball game of many to come.

“Remember the Alamo” has a new meaning for us. Never Surrender or Retreat is the theme of how Paul and I view our life’s journey. It is also the tag line on our engagement photo taken in front of the Alamo. While in Texas for Paul’s first winter training trip we were exploring the history, culture, and lands the Giddings area had to offer. It seemed around every turn there was a historical marker or an interesting site to view. Paul being an intuitive man, he knows I enjoy history and visiting national landmarks. A previous trip we had taken was to view the Spanish fort in St.Augustine on Valentine’s Day. Little did I know Paul was planning another memorable trip. In January, we felt the need to take a couple days for ourselves. After moving into the RV full-time as of Oct 2021 and being on the road since Dec. Valentine’s Day seemed like a good time to celebrate our accomplishments. Paul began to plan, something he is good at but usually leaves the planning up to me. I was elated he was taking the bull by the horns and planning a trip that he wanted to experience.. We boarded the dogs and headed to San Antonio. Paul had selected several activities for us but he was most excited to go to the Alamo. That morning of Feb.14,2022 he was exceptionally motivated to go out and about the city of San Antonio. We strolled the river walk, enjoyed the song birds and the minimal crowds. He kept watching the time and urging us to get over to the Alamo. I thought this behavior was a bit uncharacteristic of Paul but I was eager to follow his lead on his planned adventure. Upon entering the Alamo the photographer asked us to take a picture in front of the Alamo, I declined. Paul chimed in and said let’s take a photo, so we did. Little did I know this was to be our engagement photo. Walking into the Alamo was neat. All the stories of what went on here, the courage and the faith exemplified in this space was inspiring. After we toured a couple of the buildings Paul wanted to take a break, get some air, and go into the garden. It was here at high noon with bag pipes blaring “Amazing Grace” in the background he got on one knee and proclaimed his love to me by asking for my hand in marriage. I was shocked. I had no clue this was going to happen. I said “Yes, a million times over!” with tears of joy streaming down my cheeks. It was so beautiful.