Ella and Troy met in 10th grade in Mr. Norman Brown's art class at Schenley High School. (Both were on track teams. Troy was the track star!) Both were good students. Ella was in the Gifted/International Baccalaureate Program in Art. After school, we were always on the phone. Troy often visited Ella at her home. Ella often invited Troy to social gatherings on weekends. As friends, we attended our Senior Prom. After graduation, we kept in touch for a while. We attended different colleges and eventually, went our separate ways. Troy joined the Army and served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan as a staff sergeant. Ella became a special education services coordinator and special education teacher.

They reconnected (thank God!) when he returned home and she invited him to be a career day speaker at her school. (He was awesome!) Ella received her doctorate in Educational Leadership and is a Community Outreach Director/Academic Coach. Troy is a college professor of computer languages and an executive doctorate of business administration student.

Now as romantic partners, we are planning to spend the rest of lives together enjoying art and carrying out Schenley's motto: Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve.