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Sherri was 17 when her older sister introduced her to Andrew, 24, just one week before he moved to Florida in 1982. The two became friends through letters and calls, but Andrew was already smitten. He and Sherri had their first date four years later and the two married Aug. 22, 1987. Sherri, of Concord, tells their story.
Just friends: Andrew moved back to Ithaca, N.Y., in 1984 and brought his girlfriend with him. I just wanted to be friends anyway, but every time Andrew saw me, he would shower me with attention. I asked him for a job at the restaurant he managed, and we worked together for a year. I continued to date freely, but one boyfriend, who worked with us, wasn’t nice to me, and Andrew fired him on the spot.
Spring break: In 1986, I visited a girlfriend in Columbia, S.C. I had a great time and came back planning to move there that summer. Andrew was in the midst of breaking up with a serious girlfriend and asked me to stay in Ithaca. I was excited about moving, but decided to go on a date with him to make sure I wasn’t missing something special.
First date: On May 7, we went to a park and watched the sun set. We talked for hours. I revealed that I loved to eat cereal late at night and watch Johnny Carson, and Andrew said he loved them as well. We watched Johnny Carson together that night, and despite trying not to rush things, I moved in with him two days later. Each day for more than a year, he brought me a fresh-cut lavender rose until I insisted he stop.
Good call: On Jan. 5, 1987, we were in New York City and Andrew planned to propose during a carriage ride through Central Park. I was too cold to go, so he had to ask while we were at a bar. Since our wedding that August, we’ve had two sons and will celebrate our 25th anniversary this summer. Andrew still makes me laugh every day, often so hard I cry. He’s my best friend, and I’m so glad I gave “us” a chance. Hilary Trenda
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Email htrenda@charlotteobserver.com. Type “love story” in subject field. Include full names, ages, address, daytime phone number, wedding date, photo. To read past Love Stories: www.charlotteobserver.com/love.
