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FEBRUARY 2016
Your creative dating entries knocked our socks off — here are a few more!
Wendy Beachy
copy of — what else — The Grapes of Wrath. We spent the evening going to all of the places we had our firsts. The first movie, the first study date, the first time we volunteered together. “A lot had happened in that first year of our marriage. Keith made me feel young and carefree, like we were back in college without the worries and responsibilities of the ‘real world.’ “We ended the night at Law Center Hill, sharing a Sprite, overlooking the stadium where he had proposed. He again got down on one knee and told me how grateful he was that I had said yes that night and how he would marry me again and again. He once again opened a small box, this time containing a diamond anniversary ring. “They say you can never go back but we did,” Lisa said, “to the excitement and newness of a first love.” “Well, the booth might have been luck,” Keith said with a smile. “I thought it would be good to go back and see where we came from, where we started. It was a special night for me, and I was hoping it would be for her too.” Lisa still has that copy of The Grapes of Wrath. She and Keith say that just-us dates have evolved into family time, and they’ve learned many things together since he first brought her apple turnovers. “He would bring home the leftover turnovers as a treat, because we didn’t have much money for dates. It’s something we still talk about because it symbolizes Keith’s thoughtfulness and how he was trying to make each day a little special,” Lisa said. “It’s the effort, and something he still does today, every day. He’s always doing thoughtful little things to show love.” “We’ve learned love is hard, and a lot of work,” Keith said. “It’s give and take, and compromise. But it’s worth it.” Special thanks to the prize sponsors of the Cary Magazine Be My Valentine contest: Bailey’s Fine Jewelry, Massage Envy and Stick Boy Bread Co.
Wendy and Jonathan Beachy of Cary “I found out I was pregnant the morning of Valentine’s Day (2014) and decided to save the good news for our dinner that evening. “We were living in Boston and there was a blizzard, but we decided to keep
our reservation. The restaurant was pretty empty … I was able to request a cozy corner booth. Since we were saving up to move to North Carolina, we decided not to get each other gifts. However, I handed over a small box and a card. At the bottom of the card I wrote, ‘You’re going to be a great Daddy.’ “In the box was a Valentine’s footie which should be just the right size to fit our daughter this Valentine’s Day!”
John Pienta
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