The first day I remember meeting Madison was early in the school year when I took up a seemingly random overtime gig working security at an elementary school. It was nothing more than a quick hello but her beauty was captivating from the start. As for the job itself, the pay was good and the job was easy, but I had no idea I would be working down the hall from my future wife for months before we really ever had a real conversation.

One day I remember asking a colleague if the kindergarten teacher, Miss Shields was single. Unfortunately, this colleague did not have the most current intel and told me that she wasn’t. (She was.) He told me he’d ask her if she had any friends and I reluctantly agreed to this even though the real prize in my eyes was not to be. And so I began finally conversing with my future wife.

As we talked and got to know one another, I realized just how amazing Madison was and not just breathtaking in beauty. I just had to find out for sure if she was taken or not. She told me that she was single and I couldn’t believe my luck. I jumped at my chance to ask her on a date before she could find out she could do so much better. There was a Willie Nelson concert the next night at Cooks garage and told her I had an extra ticket for her. It was my brothers, but I went online real quick and bought another. Thankfully she agreed to go. We each invited our siblings (my future best man and her future maid of honor) to make it a group thing. (So I bought a third ticket) During the night, I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her and the conversation flowed without an end. (Mostly due to her gabbing, which I have come to love) Ever since that night, there have been few days we’ve spent apart from one another the our love grew quickly.

Madison has shown me unconditional love and support, from great days to difficult days. She is quick to lend her ears to listen to whatever is troubling me and words (never short of words) for when I need her advice. She has brought me closer to God through her unwavering faith, inspiring me to work on my faith as well. She has shown to be nonjudgmental and a servant heart, just as the Bible speaks of. She sees us as a team in life, two people, one heart. She has shown me how love is supposed to feel like. Her heart and soul are like no other I have ever come across. She is quick to beg me to stop the truck if she sees a stray dog or homeless person in need. She would spend her last dollar on another person or dog before spending it on herself. She has helped me grow in the way I view the world, although sometimes difficult with my job, which she graciously understands. There have been so many calls I have handled with more grace and patience since meeting her and because of how she lives her life. She has so many reasons to not be as caring as she is now, but has risen above those reasons. She is a role model for her students, a role model for our future children and she is my hero.

My favorite memory of Madison came after a tough shift at work, where there had been a couple calls that night that had “gotten to me.”First responders will understand what I mean. I had gotten home that morning at 7 am when I heard a knock on the door and saw Madison holding my favorite breakfast. (French toast with a side of bacon.) She had to be at work in a half hour but drove across town, 20 minutes out of her way and sat with me while I ate my food in silence. No words had to be said. Her being there said it all. Since then, I knew she’d always be there for me. She is my peace.

When I took that job, I never thought I’d find my soul mate. Best overtime gig I ever had!

Registry