Who knew a friendship that started back in 1983 in a little 5th grade classroom in Whitesboro, Texas would survive high school, college, marriages, children, death, and divorces to bring two people together to fall in love? But that is exactly how this story began...

Carrie Church moved to Whitesboro, Texas from Jainesville, Wisconsin in 1983. Carrie and Alysia met and soon became inseparable. The friendship was a strong one that led to many shenanigans, and some corporal punishment to "learn your lesson" was shared. The friendship continued through middle and high school, and soon after graduation, the two began their new lives as adults and took different paths.

In 2010, Alysia and Carrie rekindled the dormant friendship, and in 2012, the two finally saw each other again to celebrate the life of Carrie's husband, Marty.

In 2006, Marty Manning and Brett Braddy met at a poker game and quickly became the best of friends. The two were diehard Dallas Cowboys fans and never missed a chance to watch their BOYS, hit the water in the boat, or find two empty chairs at a poker table. In 2011, Marty was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and with Carrie teaching full-time and trying to complete her Doctorate Degree in Education, Brett was able to step in and help Marty get to appointments and treatments in Houston. When Marty passed away on December 26, 2012, both Brett and Carrie's world changed.

In early January 2020, just before the world was to be turned upside down with COVID, Carrie texted Alysia and asked if she was ready for a blind date. Alysia quickly replied, "YES!" to the text and asked for details. Unbeknownst to Alysia, Carrie had already texted Brett several weeks earlier and told him to let her know when he was "single" as she had someone she wanted him to meet. Alysia had prayed about her life and where God was going to take her. Her only dealbreaker was any man who would not have God first in his life.

On January 25, 2020, Brett and Alysia had their first date at Magianno's with Carrie and Mark. Alysia was running late to the date - not anything unusual there. Brett and Alysia had chatted a few times on the phone prior to the date and she knew she would be walking away from the date with a new friend but she had no idea the connection they would immediately have. Alysia will always remember sliding into the booth, and as Brett sat down beside her, she kept looking at his hand between them and all she wanted to do was hold his hand. It was not anything she had ever thought about - grabbing and holding a man's hand you barely know...he would think she was crazy! She still regrets not grabbing his hand to this day!

Brett and Alysia's relationship grew as COVID took over the world and Alysia was even able to get Brett quarantined before being quarantined was cool. The two knew what they had was special and the fact that God was the center of their relationship allowed both to grow as a couple and as individuals. Brett and Alysia have experienced some broken roads but those broken roads always lead somewhere.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:35

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

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