Since Duncan was tasked with writing out our story, I wanted to share this poem that somewhat puts into words how it felt to fall in love, and how it feels to be in love, with Duncan Fox.

Deja-Vu
By Shannon Lee Barry

“You are warm and you smell like a campfire, all dust and flame and bug spray. You feel like a book I read a long time ago— learning you is like remembering something I’d seen written. Your thoughts spill onto me like a dog eared page or an underlined paragraph. Familiar but slightly surprising all the time. You open your arms to me and I think, I have been here before. This is safe.

You are my deja-vu. An echo of the person I had imagined for myself. Will he be kind? Yes. Will he be smart? More than most and as much as you. And will he listen, will he understand me, will he know? Yes and yes and to a fault— and best of all, he will be better than your imaginings. There are things, little girl, that you cannot dream up.

You’ll find them sitting right in front of you at twenty-five.

A boy in glasses and a sideways smile.”

________________________________________

We never spoke when we were kids but I remember seeing her in passing. Her dad was a youth leader to my brother and his group of friends, which made me somewhat familiar with The Angell’s. About ten years later she sends me a message that somehow turned into a pickleball challenge. We officially met on the courts late in June of 2022. She kicked my ass but apparently I managed to make somewhat of a good impression because she agreed to another date (and another…).

On July 22, we decided to make things official. Over the following year and a half, through many adventures, late night talks, laughing fits and the day to day; I discovered she would in fact make a great wife. So I proposed in December of 2023.

We’ve had ups and downs like everyone does but what I found unique about Emma is that she doesn’t quit and she sure as hell loves to put up a fight for what she believes in. I’ve come to admire this person above all others. She’s my best friend and home. Thank you for being a part of our journey. I can’t wait to marry you Emma!!