Alex's Story:
It didn't take long after I started getting to know her to realize that Ellen was a special girl. Among our adventures were dates to the duck pond at the park, the graveyard next to the park (NOT kidding!), boating with her family, a trip to Publix grocery store, sitting on the couch watching Andy Griffith, and a bluegrass performance at The Carter Fold in Virginia. She was so much fun to be with no matter what we were doing! All of a sudden, every day seemed brighter. Every obstacle turned into an opportunity. Just being around her gave me a more positive attitude. I had always hoped there was someone out there like her. Now I had found her! Not only was spending time with her a lot of fun, we agreed on so many important things regarding relationships and our approach to life was so similar. She was The One! Everyday was another great adventure. Before long it was time to go ring shopping to see if I could get an idea of what kind of ring she might like. Luckily she dropped me a subtle hint that other less discerning men might not have picked up on! She cried when she tried it on. My Dad joked later when we told my family the story that the young boy that was showing us the rings spent the money that day because he knew I would be back to get that one. Haha! Probably true! My negotiating power was destroyed! After a couple more trips to other locales, we revisited that ring to look at it one more time. It just so happened to be on sale and the sale ended...tomorrow! Oh no! Tomorrow fell on a Sunday that day so I knew there was no way that I could make it back there to get it without her knowing...so I bought it that day with her right there. It was November 4, 2017. I planned to propose to her on the morning of Christmas Eve. Let me tell you something folks. A diamond ring for the girl he loves burns a hole in a feller's pocket worse than a fifty dollar bill! It burns a hole in your true love's heart when she knows you have it and won't give it to her too! Twas the night before Thanksgiving and all through the house, Alex was deciding when to give The Ring to his future spouse. I decided I couldn't keep it from her any longer. Thanksgiving morning at her parents' house I popped the question and she said yes! It would've been pretty cruel to say no at that point wouldn't it? There is a saying that is often attributed to Albert Einstein. "Compounding interest is the most powerful force in the universe." I doubt he said that, but if he did, he did not think it through. Love is the most powerful force in the universe. "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." 1 Corinthians 13:13. I love Ellen so much and I hope that we can somehow help to spread love throughout the world.
Ellen's Story:
Alex had visited at my church a few times to sing and play guitar, but I didn't know much about him other than his music was good and that he was one of my best friend (and Matron of Honor)'s brothers. I hadn't spoken to him much other than small talk at the church until one day I got a Facebook message for "tax advice" that turned into a dinner invitation. Unfortunately the dinner plans didn't pan out due to family sickness, but a couple months later he called to ask me to a movie. I was getting ready for a singing trip to Scotland/Ireland that weekend and couldn't make the movie, so I assumed it wasn't going to work out for us to get together one way or the other and assumed we wouldn't ever make other plans. I'm glad I was wrong! This particular weekend was Memorial Day weekend, and a dear friend of mine at the church, Bruce Campbell (Mr. C), had passed away. His funeral was to be the following Tuesday, and the choir was asked to sing. On that Sunday night, we were there until after 9 practicing with the choir and a quartet for the funeral. Alex texted me to see if I'd like to go on a late adventure. I said yes, and adventure we did! We went riding around, got lost, got un-lost, and then went to the park. We laid out jackets and towels, sat by the duck pond, and talked for hours. We even sang a little bit while we looked at the stars. It was a beautiful summer night. The only light was from the stars and the spotlight on the flagpole. A few weeks later we went back to that same pond in day light. There was duck feathers and trash everywhere, and it smelled a little. Haha!! But on that night of our first date, it was perfect. After the duck pond, Alex had taken me back to the church (by this time it was about 2 a.m.), and I drove back to Greeneville. The next day, we made plans to go out again. Our early adventures included bowling, The Carter Family Fold, a grocery shopping challenge at Publix, 4th of July Festivities, going out on the boat with my family in Knoxville, heading up to Indiana for a wedding, and the Bristol Races. I quickly realized Alex was by far the most giving, hilarious, intelligent, and loving person I'd ever gone out with. I knew he was it for me! We said I love you after dating for 6 weeks (2 of those I was overseas), and after dating for 6 months (well almost....if you count by weeks on the calendar!), we got engaged on Thanksgiving Day. Our love is full of laughter, music, friends, and family. Every day I'm thankful to God for bringing us together.