We were frequent dance partners and became very good friends over the course of 1.5 years before we started to date. We each consider the other as our best friend.

We dated for 2 years and we married on August 5, 2000.

The day before the wedding we went to a secluded spot where it was just God and us and we married in front of Him as our minister.

Determined to have a good time and not be tense on OUR day:

• Ernie got to the church about 1/2 hour early and spent the time greeting and joking with the guests.
• During the ceremony we kept saying things to make each other laugh.
• When we lit the unity candle we had all our children and grandchildren come up to the alter and made a linked hand chain with them and all the other guests so that we symbolized uniting our extended families.
• During the passing of the peace sign, Ernie had to be called back up to the alter after making his way to the back of the church.
• Instead of walking into the reception, we danced in to George Strait's "I Only Want to Dance With You". We wanted to start our married life the way we started our relationship, Dancing.
• We spent a good 50% of the time at the reception dancing.