All these years I’ve been hanging out at the Abbey, I have met some of the most amazing people, and that is one of the main reasons I keep coming back. Tom can actually say that, too, which is how we met. One of the first people he met at Abbey was “Mayor” a/k/a Wesley. They talked for over an hour about any and everything. He felt so comfortable at the Abbey that he continued to come back. Tom was actually there for my 51st birthday party in June of last year and wished me Happy Birthday, but we didn’t hit it off until a few months later.

It took all of 3 more encounters for me to know there was something there. A Sunday evening talking for hours just sitting at the bar, a Thursday evening sitting with the Karaoke crowd, and a Saturday evening after bingo. I was about to close my tab when he walked in that night. Whew, he cut that one close!! Now, these 3 encounters took place in the span of 6 days, but when you know “YOU KNOW!”

I was out the following Wednesday for bingo and decided to go to Abbey afterward. Needless to say, someone walked in right after I did. So, we again closed the bar down, and then he walked me to my car again. BUT, instead of just leaving that awkward moment like I did the 1st time, I decided to mention that I came to the Abbey that night to see if he was there. Talk about a life changing decision! Tom had the biggest smile on his face that would be ingrained in my memory forever and then came our 1st Kiss!!!

We were a couple the very next evening (August 24, 2023) while hanging out with the same Karaoke crowd again. Since day 1, we have felt like we've known each other for years. We have made it a point to spend every moment we can with each other, including the GIRLS, making me let him stay at the beach house for GIRLS Weekend in September! We have been on 2 road trips (New Orleans for his birthday and San Antonio during the Christmas holiday season) and just so enjoy doing things together. Especially going to Dairy Queen for Valentine’s Day 2024, which was completely my idea!

The marriage proposal happened in front of my whole family on Christmas Day 2023, and thank goodness he asked my son to record it! I can’t imagine how nervous he was all day waiting for the moment to do it!

So on to planning the wedding, we have to pick a date. August 24th is on a Saturday in 2024, which happens to be 1 year to the day of starting our life as a couple. Well, isn’t that just a sign to use that date? I can’t wait to be his wife and continue this journey for as long as we have left.

We are both so grateful to you, our community, for your love and support. We can’t wait to celebrate our wedding with you soon!