There are plenty of love stories in Prince William County.
For Lois and Tom Franco, of Manassas, love has been in the air for more than half a century.
The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in September.
“I believe the reason we stayed married this long, other than being in love and being compatible, is the fact that we have been totally supportive of each other and given each other space,” Tom Franco said.
“We’ve looked after each other and just cared about each other,” Lois Franco said. “We’ve been very fortunate.”
Tom Franco said he met his wife after returning home from military service.
Love also has a military connection for other area couples.
Erin Freel said she met her husband, Charlie, while they were both in the Air Force.
“We fought together in Operation Iraqi Freedom and fought more with each other than against Saddam!” Freel wrote in an e-mail.
The pair was arguing with each other at a conference in September 2003 when Charlie Freel asked her out for the first time.
“A mutual friend stood watching us yell at each other about close air support and then said in complete exasperation, ‘Will you please just stop and admit you’re crazy about each other?? Go out already!’” she wrote. “After a stunned silence, Charlie turned and said, ‘Ya wanna?’ I obviously fell for his smooth line, because we were married a year later.”
The Freels have been married six years.
Like the Francos, Cyril and Alda Kelly of Montclair recently celebrated their 50th anniversary.
The Kellys, who married outside Cleveland on Feb. 3, 1961, and have two children and two grandchildren, said they hope to be together for another 50 years.
“I don’t know that there’s any big secret to it,” said Alda Kelly. “It’s just about working together to make things work, in good times and bad times.”
Dale City resident Teresa Williams said she and her husband, who have been married for 10 years, have a similar philosophy.
The couple has been through health problems, bankruptcies and foreclosures, but has remained strong, Teresa Williams said.
“No matter what we have been through, we still love, respect and cherish each other I believe more today then the day we said I do,” Williams wrote in an e-mail. “We believe in sticking through the good, the bad and the ugly and, in the end, we snuggle in bed and kiss good night because we never go to bed angry.”
Tom and Lois Franco also have some simple advice for other couples.
“Just be patient with each other and care for each other,” said Lois Franco. “Listen to each other.”
That strategy has worked for them, she said.
“We’ve never had a fight or anything,” she said. “We’ve bickered with each other, but never had a fight.”
As for Valentine’s Day, the Francos said they don’t have any big plans for the holiday.
“We’ve been married for 50 years now, Valentine’s Day comes pretty frequently,” said Lois Franco.
Tom Franco said the couple might go out to dinner.
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We asked for your love stories and you were happy to oblige. Read below about the many ways local residents have connected with their mates.
By Sue Ann Kettler
He met me at the airport, and the moment I laid eyes on him I had a feeling that I had never felt. I stood there looking at this 6'5" man with long black hair watching his face change as he noticed me. I was looking at the man I hadn't seen in 30 years. Something came over me at that very moment. I felt excited, I became giddy, and giggled a lot, yet I recall him telling me how I would act once we saw each other. He knew me well, and I knew it!
One year ago I became a widow after 27 years of marriage. In the Spring of last year I received an invitation to a birthday party in Los Angeles, CA. via Facebook. It took me a long time to respond, although I finally accepted the invitation. I hadn't seen this man in 30 years, although I’ve known him for 40, . . . we went to High School together. He wrote to me often prior to my flight. He told me that I was the only woman he invited from High School, he then told me he was in love with me. I was in denial, I didn't believe him, yet I still flew to LA.
That evening we spent quality time together and it did not take long for me to notice the connection. This man from my past was serious about me and that alone drew my attention. I was shy, I was lonely, just a Manassas gal seeking adventure. I asked myself, "How could I be feeling this way?" The answer was right in front of me.
Despite my shyness and state of denial, I was overcome with the power of love. I spent a week with this man, the one week that would determine our fate. I look back at that young boy in the back seat of his father's car going to religion class. I recall our seat arrangements at art class in high school. And most of all, the boy, now a man, who did this to me. "Fall in LOVE"! He reminded me, "Our relationship has been 40 years in the making."
I am a lucky woman to have found this love. To meet my fate face on and do something about it! I CAN! Oooooh you bet I can,... "LOVE AGAIN!"
I love you Jeff! <3 <3 <3
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By Jen Anzalone
My husband and I met on a blind date in January 1991,we dated for a while but ended up breaking up and going our separate ways. Eight years later on March 2, 1999 he called me out of the blue, after finding out from a mutual friend that I was single again. That night he came over and sparks flew. We discovered that we both had little boys that were 10 months apart, both named Joseph. Thirteen days later we were engaged and 1 ½ years later we were married. We have been married for 10 years, and added another son Anthony Joseph to the family. Our love grows more and more every day. We are often told that we have the perfect marriage and I believe we do. We were set up on a blind date only to be brought back together by fate.
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By Reyna Sager
Here's a local love story for you. We both attended Hylton High School. My husband went to VA Tech and I attended Radford University. We now live in Woodbridge.
When I was in fourth grade my family moved to Dale City. Our house was on a great street with friendly neighbors. That summer I overcame my shyness and went outside to play with the neighborhood kids. Little did I know I was playing with the future love of my life. He lived 5 houses up the street. Greg and I didn't start dating until high school. We both liked to run and had a lot of the same friends so it was easy to hang out a lot. He was a year older than me so after he graduated and went to college, we spent a long year calling each other and using this new fad called e-mail. The following year I started college a few miles down the road from Greg and we got to see each other on a more regular basis. After Greg's graduation we had another long year of phone calls and e-mails when he started working. Right before Christmas that year I got a beautiful engagement ring after a romantic dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Norfolk. After I graduated we promptly got married and I officially joined the Army (they paid for school). I was stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in DC. Greg found a job he liked and we were ecstatic when three years later we welcomed our first baby boy. Two more little boys followed him and our family felt complete. When our youngest was 6 months old my husband became suddenly ill and was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Our perfect life was turned upside down. After lots of good care, love and prayers my husband recovered and has now been cancer free almost 2 years. After that we know that love can see us through anything and we can't wait to see what the future will bring us, together.
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By Kevin Kelly
My wife and met in 1988 while working the night shift at Hecht's in Fair Oaks Mall. Both of us were 17 yrs old and working nights and weekends; me unloading trucks and she in coats(winter) and swim wear(summer). While unloading a truck one evening, one of my co-workers came in the loading dock and said there was a really cute girl working downstairs in coats. I did what any self-respecting 17-yr old young man would do; I made invented a new task for myself and a buddy and headed down there. With a full maintenance cart in tow, we looked for something, anything, than needed our immediate attention near the coats department. As if a sign sent from the heavens, I found a light bulb that had burned out. With the speed and nimbleness of an Olympic athlete, I stood up a ladder and bounded to the top; making sure to make just enough noise to draw her attention to me. I noticed a passing glance, but certainly not enough to get the job done. Then, again if by divine intervention, the bulb exploded in my hand, raining tiny shards of glass all over my face. I quickly ascended the ladder to see my friend looking in horror as my face bled from tiny cuts. The pain quickly subsided when she appeared in front of me and offered to walk me upstairs to the manager's office. That was 22 yrs , 3 children, 5 addresses and many many experiences ago. Today we live in bliss with our wonderful kids in Haymarket and I NEVER change anymore light bulbs.
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By Robyn M. Johnson
Met my husband in 7th grade at Jeannie Dean Elementary. We got married in
1989 and have 3 kids. Our grad class (OHS 1983) has 4 couples that married
and are still together. Our youngest is a junior at Osbourn.
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By Sandi Benoit
Back in March of 1972 I worked as a Dietary Aide at a local hospital in Pittsburgh. Normally the patients would have their doors open around dinner time. The door handles on all of the doors were a hook shape. This poor guy was sitting in a chair, next to the door. He just had a hernia operation. As I carried his tray to him to set it up, my arm got caught on the door handle and dumped most of contents on his lap. The nurse chased me out, yelling at me. My entire shift I felt so bad about what had happened. After my shift I went back to his room and apologized. We exchanged names, talked for a few minutes and then I had to go meet my ride home.
About a week later there was a gray Dodge station wagon sitting near our employee entrance. That day I didn't have a ride home. It's 8:30 at night our employee entrance was in a dark alley way and I was scared. He tried to talk to me but I ignored him. I started walking home and he followed me. Drove really slow, with cars blowing their horns behind him and just kept following me. I cut through a short cut and he figured out where it came out at and seen me go into my home. He parked out front of my home and sat there. At 10:00 my mom told me to go out and talk to this guy because it seemed like he wasn't going anywhere until he spoke to me. I went out and talked to him, realized who he was and we exchanged phone numbers and eventually went out.
Our first Christmas, I had a friend of mine in the Maintenance Department get the door handle off of the door to his old hospital room. Another friend had his dad, who was a trophy maker, had his dad mount the door handle on a piece of marble. He even had the screws from the handle. I gave it to John for our first Christmas. To this day, we still have that door handle and it's next to the bed. We were married in August 1974. I am so thankful that he followed me home!!!
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By Deitra Walker
My husband and I met while working together at Best Buy. We were both engaged at the time and were close friends at work. When both our relationships ended we realized we were in love with each other. It took 3 years to realize it but we have been happy in love since and now have 2 beautiful kids. Our first night together he called me and asked me to come out with him and a few other co workers I told him I could be up there in 45 minutes but got there within 15 minutes and we have been together ever since.
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By Jen Buky
My husband and I met when I had a clogged kitchen sink. I called a well-known plumbing company and he showed up at my door! After about 40 minutes of working/chatting, he left, but left his jacket behind... (I wish I could say it was on purpose, but it wasn't). I didn't realize he had left it until he called me back a little while later. I thought he was a great guy and called my friend to tell her about him and was giddy like a 14 year old! When he came by to get the jacket later on, I was so nervous with excitement, I just cracked the door and handed it to him! For the next few days I wanted to call him back but was too nervous. (Not to be a stalker, but I had his number on my caller ID.) Anyways, I got up the nerve to make the call (with all my co-workers around me cheering me on) only to get his voicemail. So I left a message for him to call me back as I had a question the warranty timeline on my invoice (which was true and my "in" for calling him back). He called me back the next day and we discussed the warranty issue, over and over again because I couldn't get up the courage to ask him out. But I finally said, "If you ever want to go out for a Red Bull and vodka, give me a call." This was one of the many things we talked about when he first came to my house. He asked me for my number, again, and said OK. He called me the next day and we went on our first date not long after that! That was 6 years ago and we've been happily married for 4 and a half! And we finally had our first RB&V on a cruise last year!!
Thanks for letting me share my story!
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By Donna Kessler
My fiancé and I grew up in the same small town in Maryland and went to high school together, graduating in 1984. We reconnected in 2008 while we planned our 25th high school reunion. We started dating and got engaged last May. We will be married this August 12 and have our reception in the same town in which we lived as kids.
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By Erin Freel
My husband Charlie and I were colleagues in the Air Force...we fought together in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF)...and fought more with each other than against Saddam! We disagreed about everything, and spent hours yelling at each other about maps, interdiction, and mission planning. We went in September 2003 to a conference about OIF and fought the whole time there. A mutual friend stood watching us yell at each other about close air support, and then said in complete exasperation, "Will you please just stop and admit you're crazy about each other?? Go out already!" After a stunned silence, Charlie turned and said, "Ya wanna?"
I obviously fell for his smooth line, because we were married a year later. And are going strong at almost seven years married!
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By Theresa Williams
Hello my name is Teresa Williams my husband and I have been married for 10 years, we met though a dating service called Together, we met our first night at Blackie's in Springfield , I line danced with my dad to teach partner. We tried to teach him but he had 2 left feet lol. We then helped me move to Leesburg where I had gotten my first apartment, he help me when I had gotten into a car accident. In November of 1999 he asked me to marry him and to be a part of his life forever. We have been though a lot together our daughter was born a preemie at 29 weeks, declared bankruptcy, a foreclosures home in dale city , and we had another child our son (2) whom is wonderful but I was on bed rest for 3 months to help keep him inside no MATTER what we have been though we still love, respect, and cherish each other I believe more today then the day we said I Do . We were married 11/4/00 and recently just renewed our vows on 11/5/10 (ten years) . WE believe in sticking though the good , the bad and the ugly and in the end we snuggle in bed and kiss good night because we never go to bed angry!!
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By Rhonda Craighead
My husband, Scott and I met 18 years ago in Paris, Virginia. We had been dating for several months when I took him to meet my family for Easter at our cabin. My Memaw, when introduced to Scott, asked about his last name wanting to know if his Grandmother was Sybil Craighead. Scott affirmed that Sybil was his Grandmother. My Memaw laughed then told how Scott's Grandfather, Arnold had lived with her family when she was a young girl and that she had fixed Sybil and Arnold up on their first date. They had lost touch over the years. Sybil passed away fours ago but Memaw is going strong at the ripe ole age of 94.
To add more oddness to our story, Scott's sister and I were born on the same day, same year within minutes of each other; she by the way, is older than I!
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By Stephanie Cyr
My husband, John, and I met in July 1995 here in Woodbridge. It was the summer before our senior year (he went to Hylton and I went to G-F). We were starting our new jobs at Zany Brainy and were at the orientation. We were friends during that whole school year. We went on our first day in Feb. 1996, and didn't have another until 12-18-1999. I had moved to Arkansas to attend college. We stayed in touch off and on during those years through email and when I came home for vacations. Once I graduated from college, I moved home and we continued our relationship. 2 years after our 2nd date (12-18-01), he proposed to me. We were married on 8-10-02. We have been married for over 8 wonderful years and have 3 beautiful children, and it all started with a fun job at Zany Brainy. Oh how we miss that place!
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By Erin Myers
Josh and I could not have been opposite. He is covered in tattoos, enjoys dirt biking and hardcore music... I on the other hand grew up known as an all around "good girl", who loved ballet, country music, and teaching (after graduating college I taught at a local middle school).
The first time Josh and I saw each other was from across the bar at City Tavern. For some reason I was drawn to his tattoos and rugged look... strange for me because I had always thought more "preppy" guys were my type. I judged him instantly assuming he would never be interested in me... this blonde girl with a conservative jean skirt and button up sweater on! We never talked that night... instead we stared at each other the entire time we were there! It was love at first sight! I thought couldn’t stop thinking about him!
Little did I know... I would run into his younger brother Mike (who I knew from high school) the next night and that’s how I learned Josh's name. Seeing my interest in Josh, Mike immediately called his older brother and that is how we met. We started dating right away. Neither of us had fallen for someone the way we did for each other. We moved in together and were inseparable. Best friends in love instantly. It was a relationship like none we had ever known. Where it gets interesting is 6 months down the road where I became pregnant. 10 days after learning I was pregnant we decided to take the leap and get married (this was something that we had been talking not long after we first started dating... I remember the first time we went to try on rings way before ever getting pregnant and when leaving Josh lovingly touched the back of my neck and it was all clammy because I had been so nervous in the jewelry store! gave us a good laugh). On that 10th day we woke up super early, called all our friends and family, bought our wedding rings, outfits, cake, booked the reception area, contacted the officiate, got pulled over for speeding and out of the ticked because the cop was kind enough to not write us up on our wedding day and arrived at the place our wedding would take place all in a matter of 8 hours! The greatest thing about it all was that the day couldn’t have been more perfect. It was intimate, special, and passionate. Everyone was crying tears of happiness.
Since the day we first met our love and bond has continued to grow and strengthen. We are so lucky to have each other. Most people would say we took a huge risk jumping in the way we did but the truth is that when you know you just know and we knew right from the start (Id even say we knew before we even talked!). He is my best friend and I have never been so happy in my life. Our love story may not be some peoples ideal, or what is considered traditional but its what is real! Our second baby boy is due this Valentines Day : )
Thanks for reading- hope you enjoyed!
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By Melanie Ells
A friend introduced my husband online 7 years ago, we dated ... between Manassas, Virginia and Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Two years ago I finally moved here and we were married in Nelson Park in Manassas on April Fools day. Fast forward almost two years and we bought our first home and have a beautiful 6 month old baby boy! In one week we signed on our house, flew to Canada for a second wedding, and had our last interview with Homeland Security!
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By Nathan Hartman
I met my wife while we were both in high school. We went to Hylton, she was a freshman in school and I was a junior. In the middle of my senior year, her sophomore year, her family moved to Charlotte, NC. We continued our relationship long distance, on and off for the remainder of her HS years. When I graduated from Hylton, I went to Univ. of Mary Washington to play baseball. And when she graduated from HS 2 years later 2006, she went to UNC Charlotte for a semester. She then dropped out of school to move up to Fredericksburg to live with me. We lived in my apartment in Fredericksburg while I finished my last 3 semesters of school. During my senior year of college, I bought the ring and was thinking of a great way to propose to her. However, at the time she worked at a jewelry story, (the one which I bought the ring from), and although I went through with her co-workers to cover my tracks so it couldn’t be traced back to me buying the ring, one of the co-workers who was not there the night that I bought the ring, showed her that a purchase in the amount of a ring was made using her discount late one night..which gave her the indication that I had already bought the ring. So I denied and denied buying it, and figured anytime I went anywhere with her romantic of the next couple of months, she would know that I was going to propose. So to keep the surprise element in it, while she was in the shower, I turned our apartment into a game of “follow the clues”. I wrote a note on the mirror and lead her around the apartment reading little love notes about how much I love her, and how I could imagine my life with anybody other than her….And finally as she made her way through every room in the apartment, reading one note / clue and then reading the other, I lead her into the other bathroom (the guest bathroom, where I had roses and candles lit for her. I was hiding in the guest room closet, which gave me a clear view of the guest bathroom door. As I saw her walk into the bathroom, I creeped out of the closet and kneeled in the middle of the room waiting for her to read the last line of the last note which told her to turn around. When she turned around, I asked her to marry me. She said yes, of course, and we got married 15 months later on October 4, 2008.
We starting dating November 5, 2002. She moved away December 2003. She moved into my college off campus apartment with me Feb 2007. I proposed July 2007. We moved back to Dale City, where we rented a house in Feb 2007. We got married October 2008. Bought our first house in Feb 2009 in Montclair. And we just gave birth to our beautiful daughter in December 2010.
We are most definitely a love story of how high school sweetheart, and how long distance relationship work out in the end. J Neither of us could be happier than we are today. Despite everybody around us telling us that high school sweethearts never make it, and that long distance relationships never work…despite all other odds, the 17 year old Nathan who fell in love with the 14 year old Jessica, have become the 25 year old Daddy and the 22 year old Mommy of our daughter Payson.
And all we can say is, when everybody tells you that you have no chance in making it as a couple, or when all the odds are stacked against you…true love always finds a way.
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By Jennifer Harlow
I met my husband on Match.com. I had contacted him but he was out of town so didn’t think much about it after that. Then I went on 7 horrible “disaster” dates. The cliché issues with online dating, picture online was from 10 years ago, drug user, and free loader. I decided to cancel my membership and forgot dating. That is when my now husband emailed me and said he was back in town but noticed my profile was gone, was I still interested in meeting. Based on my bad dates I had to think about it and my best friend convinced me to go. The first date went great, he was actually NORMAL, yippee!!! We married 2 years later.
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By Alison Johanson
This May my husband and I will celebrate our 10 year anniversary. I am from South Carolina and my husband is from South Dakota. People always ask how we met. In 1999 we both decided to be missionaries for one year in the little tiny country of Latvia. We met and fell in love while sharing God's love.
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By Sandy Curtis
December 4, 2006 Dan and and I met online dating site. December 9, 2006 I was having a Holiday gathering at my house. Dan came to the party to meet me, what the heck there would be lots of people there, if we didn't like each other in person, there would be lots of people there and don't feel awkward.
Dan was the second to arrive, he knocked on the door, my son answered the door, I was in the kitchen, I turned around from the stove and saw Dan coming up the steps, I knew then he was the one for me and I the one I would want to marry. I hugged him and turned back around to what I was doing on the stove.
As my boss tells the story, Dan came to the cookie party and never went home.
We married exactly one year later December 9, 2007.
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