It was in the modern age, though the tale feels older somehow, that Tim and Tera’s paths first crossed—by way of a curious contraption known as Tinder, where fate has taken to doing some of its finest work. For Tim, it was love at first swipe, though he would not yet know how far that single moment would carry him.

Not long after, they set out together for their first proper outing at the Monroe County Fair, a place of bright lights, merry sounds, and fried delicacies most tempting. There, amid the bustle of the midway, Tim very nearly met disaster when he stumbled and almost sent their elephant ear to an untimely end. By some small miracle—and perhaps a steady hand born of good character—he caught it at the very last second, to Tera’s great amusement and relief.

Before the day was through, Tim managed to misplace his wallet, proving that even the most promising of gentlemen may be a bit absent-minded. It was Tera who found it and returned it to him, a small act that would come to mean much more than either of them knew at the time.

Some might say it was Tim’s truck, or perhaps his kiss, that caused Tera to fall in love. But truth be told, it was something far simpler and far rarer—the kindness and gentleness shining plainly in his eyes. From that day on, what began as a chance meeting grew into a love both steady and true, the kind one hopes will last well beyond the fairgrounds and into all the years to come.