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Annette, 48, and Roger, 49, both grew up in Parkersburg, W.Va. They met at summer camp in junior high and over the years, would bump into each other around town. They exchanged letters during Roger’s first year of college but eventually lost touch until 1999, when they met again on Christmas Eve. The couple married June 14, 2002, and lives in Charlotte. Roger tells their story.
Remember me?: As I was sitting through Christmas Eve service at my parent’s church in Parkersburg, I thought I recognized the beautiful woman sitting a few rows ahead of me. It was Annette and she was living in Florida with her sons, Justin and Derek. We exchanged phone numbers and agreed to talk before we both went back home.
On the road: I lived in Charlotte and we were both driving home the same day. I invited her to stop here for dinner and we both felt something special in that limited time. She was going to meet her parents the following weekend to pick up her sons, and agreed to meet them in Charlotte so we could spend more time together.
New Year’s Eve: The next weekend Annette and I spent the millennium New Year’s Eve together. We had dinner, champagne, a fire and watched the celebrations around the world. We spent the next day with the boys and had a blast before they had to head back to Florida. For months, we talked constantly on the phone and visited as often as we could. I was in love with Annette and her boys and invited them to move to Charlotte in July 2001.
Family Christmas: After living together almost a year, I asked both boys’ permission to marry their mom. Derek came with me to pick out the engagement ring and both stood up for us at our wedding. Every year we spend Christmas in West Virginia and New Year’s in Charlotte, Annette’s and my special night. We didn’t know it when we met again at our parents’ church all those year ago, but the four of us were about to get the best Christmas present we could ever ask for, a family. Hilary Trenda
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