Gary's sister Megan, and Christie were friends since they were about 13 years old. They would always play release with the neighbors and Gary would play also. When Christie was in 9th grade she had a huge crush on Gary, but she thought he hated her (probably because he said she looked like Tom Petty!). The crush gradually went away, but two years later Gary worked up the nerve to ask Christie to go to Kennywood with him. We went and things were a little awkward, but by our second date (dinner and a movie) things were better. A couple weeks later we started dating exclusively and we have been going strong ever since. We've been together for over 6 years!

     Since Gary is in the army, he was in Texas at the time and Christie went down to visit him for the weekend. She arrived Friday afternoon (July 19th), so we went out to dinner that night. We went down to the Riverwalk (in San Antonio) and had dinner along the river. Afterwards, we went for a horse and buggy ride through the city. After the driver finally stopped talking to us about football (she was a Steeler fan and we're from Pittsburgh, so she had to talk to us!) Gary got down on one knee in the tight space and just as he was about to ask Christie and put the ring on her finger the buggy hit a bump...and needless to say, Gary dropped the ring! It flew right off of the buggy and right into the street!! Gary jumped off and almost got ran over by the horse behind us, but got the ring back right without a scratch! After Christie stopped laughing hysterically, he asked her to marry him and finally put the ring on her finger. Christie of course said YES and the ring is safe and sound on her finger forever!

MARRIED LIFE: We've been married for 2 months now and are living happily in an apartment in Whitehall, PA. We plan to move into our own home next summer, and in case anyone is wondering...we are not starting a family right away, so no grandchildren, neices, nephews or anything just yet!