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Joyce, 65, and Rick, 69, both worked for the same company in different locations: Joyce in New Jersey and Rick in Ohio. They met in 1986 during one of Rick’s frequent plant visits and spent more than a year dating long-distance. The couple married Feb. 14, 1988, and now lives in Morganton. Rick tells their story.
Friday nights: Joyce and her friends would spend Friday nights dancing to a local ’50s and ’60s group called Bandstand. I’d time my trips so I’d arrive on Friday afternoon and would occasionally surprise her on the dance floor. If I was stuck in Ohio and knew where they’d be dancing, I’d call in a request for B.B. King’s “Stand By Me,” dedicated to Joyce. It became our song and we still have a soft spot for it.
Snow fun: One night I didn’t arrive till after dark and started throwing snowballs at Joyce’s second-story apartment window. When I saw the curtains move, I’d run around the corner to hide, then come back and throw some more. She was finally thoroughly exasperated so I walked into plain sight. We still talk about (that) story today.
Great days: When Joyce said “yes” to my proposal in late summer of ’87, that had to be the best day of my life. We visited my parents in Florida during the holidays, and my sister and brother-in-law gave us the early wedding present of New Year’s Eve at Disney World. When we got married on Valentine’s Day, Bandstand played at our wedding reception.
Since then: I had enough frequent flier passes from all my travels to cover our honeymoon in Hawaii. To celebrate our 25 year anniversary, we’ll be back at Disney World on Valentine’s Day. 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.
