Chapter One – The Perfect Place to Meet

For 27 years, 384 miles kept these two apart.

Then on a Sunday morning in February, 2023, a “handsome, tall guy” was spotted by church member, Dr. Cindy Bascom. And after she had “thoroughly vetted,” the newcomer to Trinity United Methodist Church, she knew it was indeed time for her to make an introduction happen the next time that lifelong church member, Sydney Pelts, was in town.

A few weeks later, after the church service, Dr. Bascom made sure that the Army Reserve Administrator, Staff Sergeant Wes Thomsen, met the aspiring new pharmacist, Dr. Sydney Pelts.

The two exchanged pleasantries, and would later meet for coffee – and they discovered that neither one is coffee drinker.

The first official date was dinner at The RailYard, and the two talked for so many hours, that they had to be asked to leave, as the place had to shut down for the night.

On April 30, this new couple knew that their new connection was indeed a good thing, and Sydney’s Facebook status was updated to “in a relationship with Wes Thomsen.”

Chapter Two – “If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it . . .”

-- Beyonce

Now there were only 79 miles separating them from Bluefield and Christiansburg. But it was obvious to friends and family that things were definitely getting serious when Wes invited Sydney to join the Thomsen family vacation on a Disney Cruise to Australia.

With the help of his Mom, a beautiful diamond engagement ring was purchased from their trusted jeweler in Maryland, and before the Disney cruise ship’s grand staircase, Wes proposed, to the delight of his family, and in the presence of the cruise photographer. The sentimental guy used a shell-shaped ring box that had belonged to his grandmother. Ah!!!!

And let’s talk about the most perfect wedding proposal line ever – “Will you make me the happiest man on the happiest ship on earth?”

Of course, Sydney immediately accepted, and surprisingly, she was not expecting a proposal on that night, when they had all dressed for their formal dinner on the cruise ship.

Because of the time difference, and the challenge of Wi-Fi signal on the boat, phone calls to family and friends had to wait until the wee hours or the next day. And Ainsley, who will be maid of honor, was one of the first to receive a photo of Sydney’s hand with a glittering beautiful diamond to joyfully announce the news.

Chapter Three – Medicine Meets Military

So, as you are reading this and want to know more about the couple, here you go.

Voted “Best Dressed,” the favorite sport of the bride-to-be was tennis. Her least favorite subject ever was Organic Chemistry. I wonder how many thousands of others would agree with that one? Favorite color is a toss-up between pink and all-things-glitter. The Great Gatsby, crab legs with filet mignon, and cookie cake are also top favorites for this great gal, who also achieved Perfect Attendance one year in high school -- however, she was not there to receive her certificate, having gone to compete in a tennis match that day. With an undergrad degree from Virginia Tech in Biological Sciences, and a PharmD degree from Appalachian School of Pharmacy, she is currently the pharmacist at the Christiansburg Pharmacy in Christiansburg, Virginia.

What about the guy from Prince Frederick, Maryland? Not surprisingly his favorite color is also the color of his truck. If you know, you know . . . but if you don’ t know, that would be the same color of that popular fruit from Florida.

Years ago, as he headed to Basic Training, he was allowed to take his Bible, but he also smuggled in a copy of The Martian, which he says is now a favorite book.

Because of his height and strength, in college he was encouraged to play rugby, which he really enjoyed, even though he had never played the sport before.

College Algebra was his least favorite course. Favorites include creamy crab soup, (do we see a pattern; they both like seafood?), and butterscotch pie.

One fascinating fact, Wes took the ACT at age 12, as a part of a gifted class opportunity. His score was so good, that there was no need to re-take the test, and those scores were what his college accepted six years later. Two history degrees, one from College of Southern Maryland, and one from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Chapter Four – She said “yes” to the dress!

What about wedding details? Like many of you, Sydney and her Mom have been fans of the popular television show, “Say Yes to the Dress.” After shopping in only two different cities and trying on not all that many different styles, she found the perfect gown for her wedding day. Unlike some brides who have a second outfit for the reception, she loves her dress so much that it will be worn until it’s time for the sparker send-off.

And what about Staff Seargeant Wes? Unlike the drab brown military uniforms that were worn recently at the televised parade to honor 250 Years of the Army, our groom will be attired in a dress-blue military uniform.

The music for the ceremony will be provided by a talented duo, guitar and electric violin. Sydney is really looking forward to that. Wes says that one thing he looks forward to is watching the two families interact, when “all the people I know and love collide. It will be like the Atlantic Ocean meets the Amazon.” He did not specify which family was identified with which body of water.

And the church member who introduced them and just knew that they would make the perfect couple, retired Bluefield University speech professor, Dr. Cindy Bascom, will give a reading at the October 18 wedding ceremony. How cool is that?

And very soon, those miles that have kept them apart will be less and less, as this wonderful couple will reside in their home on Mountain View Avenue in Bluefield, West Virginia.

-Wayne Pelts

S&W