Sheila started working at ADS with Tom and they immediately became friends. Sheila felt at ease sharing her thoughts, concerns, ideas, and successes with Tom and Tom always made the time to listen and give advice when she asked. Eventually, it was Tom’s turn to lean on Sheila when he needed someone to talk to. Through years of conversation an unexpected, caring love had taken root.

I had been sick for a week and it was the first morning I had felt good enough to get off the couch. I was a mess. Our house was a mess. Dan would have noticed that my hair was a freight. As I approached the stairs in my pajamas and frightful hair, Tom asked where I was going and asked me to wait as he pulled a small box from his pocket. I thought he must be joking around, when I asked if this was real. He responded, “yes, it’s real.” Then he asked if I would marry him. At first all I could think about was my disheveled appearance, so I said, “yes but I’m not even pretty.”