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Amy, 42, and Brad, 43, dated while in sixth grade at Charlotte’s Double Oaks Elementary. They grew apart and wouldn’t reconnect for almost 26 years. But when they met again they knew the time was right. The couple married May 28, 2010 and live in Matthews. Amy tells their story.
Separate ways: Brad and I dated all through sixth grade but by junior high we were just friends and then went to different high schools. I got married, had four kids and years passed before I thought of him again. It was only after my marriage ended and my two oldest daughters urged me to join Facebook that he came to mind.
Online friends: When I entered my school information, the site suggested people I might know and one of them was Brad. I was struck by his pictures and that he was still single. We messaged back and forth and decided to go out with a group of friends one Saturday night in January 2009.
An early sighting: That morning, I was considering backing out when my kids and I went for breakfast. I kept glancing at the guy a few tables over who looked like Brad. Turns out it was. We talked in person and it was love all over again. We went out that night and when the band played Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” it seemed as if we had never been apart and by the end of the night, we were dating again after 26 years.
Surprise wedding: That Christmas, Brad proposed to me and my kids in front of both our families. In May, we had a housewarming party and surprised guests when the DJ played “The Wedding March.” Our minister had blended into the crowd and my bouquet was disguised as a vase of flowers. A friend summed it up later on Facebook: “I’ve been to weddings that turned into great parties but never a great party that turned into a wedding.” Our kids look at Brad as their father and he’s the most amazing husband. –Hilary Trenda
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E-mail 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.
