Two years ago, Laura was invited to be a part of a church small group led by the Porche's and Baccas's. It was there, that several friendships began to grow, but there was one relationship in particular this story is about. During her time at small group, Laura began to find herself often engaged in conversations with the intelligent and witty, Roger. She found it cute that he would whistle along to many of the songs and she began to perhaps dress up a little more for group than she usually would. 

Then the unspeakable happened. The Porche's announced they were moving. Laura was just sure the group would disseminate and this would conclude her time with Roger. What Laura didn't know, was Roger had already been paying close attention to her. So, before the Porche's left, when the group decided to have one last hoorah on the sands of Shark Beach, it was there that the stars aligned. Roger deliberately sat his chair next to Laura's, and she began to get the hint that maybe, just maybe, he might be crushing a little bit on her too.

After a meticulous planning by Roger to list all the reasons why Laura should agree to go on a date with him, it finally happened. Roger called her. He proceeded to tell her how he enjoyed their conversations and was wondering if sometime Laura would want to continue those talks without kids around. He was then going to list his several reasons why Laura should go on a date with him, but before he could get those reasons out, Laura blurted out a big fat YES! Yes, she would go anywhere with him if it meant they got to hang out! So off they went on Tuesday, June 11th, on their first date to a coffee shop and to take a walk around the park. They both didn't want the night to end. 


Since their first date, Roger and Laura knew this relationship was special. They had several common interest but one of their favorites was they both had a deep love for music that wasn't of the country genre. Concert going became one of their favorite pastimes together. Over time, each date provided vulnerable moments of sharing and learning. Time was well spent growing as a couple. What started as a haze of love, developed into a connectedness that was clearly becoming a genuine bond. God has been at the center of this relationship and both Roger and Laura are committed to continuing to follow where He takes them. 




Roger and Laura both love all of their children dearly and continue to bond with their future stepchildren. They are fortunate to be gaining such a big blended family that will include 9 children total between kids and their spouses/fiancé. And, they absolutely adore sweet granddaughter, Brook!! Being a Gracie and Pop Pop is just the best!!



Over the months, Roger and Laura's love became evident to all who witnessed them together. Roger decided it was time to make it last forever, and he was pretty confident Laura wouldn't object. On November 27th 2024, Roger took Laura out for a special date. They started at the coffee shop as this was one of their first dates. Next, Roger drove Laura over to the Medi Park area where Laura thought they would be repeating a walk from their first date. However, Roger had other plans. Instead he pulled into the parking lot of the Botanical Gardens which Laura was just sure was closed. Lo and behold the gate was cracked open and it just took a little nudge and some Roger rizz to get Laura to sneak inside. It was magical. The two walked and enjoyed the entire gardens to themselves. Then in one nervous move, at the top of the Japanese gardens, Roger got down on one knee and pulled out a ring. Laura was so overcome with emotion that she cried and hugged him and cried some more. The two were ecstatic for what the future would bring for them.

If you haven't figured it out...these two are head over heels in love! God is the center of their lives and they are all in. Also, if you haven't figured it out, every bold title of each story section is a song title. A couple of weeks into their relationship, Roger suggested they send each other a song every day through Spotify. Each of these song titles is a song from their Spotify playlist they created together. And no, it isn't full of country music haha. You may just get to hear some of their favorites if you hang around long enough 💙