Rockwall, TX (February 4, 2025) – Each year for Valentine’s Day, Blue Ribbon News asks local couples to share stories of how they met. Publishing their tales of true love has become one of our favorite traditions. This year the response was overwhelming. Stay tuned to our Facebook page as Valentine’s Day approaches. The names of several lucky participating couples will be randomly drawn to win gifts from our local prize sponsors.
From Sidelines to Soulmates
Sometimes, love finds its way through unexpected paths. Jason and his future wife Ty first crossed paths on the soccer sidelines, cheering for opposing teams as their sons faced off in youth games. Yet it wasn’t until a chance encounter with a pastor friend at Chick-fil-A that Jason found himself invited to a single-parent family life group at church—where their lives would truly intertwine.
When Jason walked into that class, Ty immediately recognized him, though this time, something felt different. The group bonded over activities like sporting events and bible studies, but it was during one particular outing—a rock climbing adventure on her birthday—that Jason made a thoughtful gesture she would never forget. With flowers in hand and her birthday carefully marked on his calendar, Jason quietly began to show Ty the depth of his kindness.
As the weeks went on, Jason extended invitations for time together beyond the group’s activities. Was he interested, or simply a kind soul? It was a question that lingered until, years later, Jason revealed his plan: he wanted to build a foundation of friendship first.
From that thoughtful beginning grew a love strengthened by countless adventures, quiet moments, and shared challenges. Now, ten years into marriage and 11.5 years together, Jason and Ty have built a beautiful, blended family with five courageous and loving children. Their story is a testament to hope, patience, and the beauty of finding not just a spouse, but a best friend for life.
Submitted by Jason Phelps, a software engineer and Ty Phelps, a stay at home mom and mediator, living on the north side, blending love and laughter while perfecting their pickleball game.
Mullet Over, Meant to Be
Bob and Kay have been married for 32 years. They met in 1992 in Dallas at Studebakers Nightclub which was very popular at the time. Kay did not want to go that evening and eventually appeased a friend and went. After 30 minutes, she was getting ready to leave and what should present itself but Bob with his great mullet. He had rarely been there before. Sounds like it was meant to happen. They danced the night away and continued dating for a year. In 1993, they tied the knot and have kept up the fun times for 32 wonderful years.
Bob and Kay Huskerson enjoy serving their Rockwall community as longtime volunteers with Meals on Wheels.
Perfect Match
I met Erin on Match.com in June 2021. She liked my profile, and after a few chats, we decided to meet for our first date at Lazy Dog in Allen, TX, where she lived. I was late—Stacy Road traffic—but Erin let me off easy, showing the sweet nature I would soon come to adore. Though now, she never misses a chance to tease me about it! That day, we must have spent four hours talking. I’ll never forget how adorable her nervousness was—she had this habit of tucking her hair behind her ears whenever she got nervous. And then, there was her smile. I remember thinking, Could this be the smile? The one I’ll fall in love with and want to see for the rest of my life? Even then, I felt it might be.
The next morning, we met again for coffee at Starbucks. After another great conversation, we wandered through a local bookstore together. It felt natural, easy. Soon, we were spending more time together and planning more dates. I vividly remember the first time she introduced me to her friends at a birthday party. Walking through a crowd of unfamiliar faces, she said to her curious friends, “He’s with me.” And yes, I was. Yes, I am.
We married in July 2024, and every day, I get to wake up to that same smile—the one I fell in love with. I’m with her… always. I love you, Erin, and I love the life we’ve created together.
Submitted by John Brandt of Fate. He and his wife Erin live in Woodcreek and are Real Estate agents with Anita Barham Realty in Rockwall.
eHarmony, Faith & Forever
We found each other the good old fashion way….through eHarmony. That $174 spent was truly the best investment of my life. I met her during my third week online, while it was her very first, and from that moment on, we became inseparable. Each morning I wake up with a desire to build and grow our relationship even better.
I’ve never had anyone make me feel more confident about who I am than my wife. She tells me she’s never had anyone love her like I do. I love her despite her inability to ever find a good parking spot. And she loves me despite my lack of fashion sense.
The secret to finding your soulmate lies in being completely open and honest, allowing faith to guide the way. Our journey wasn’t without its challenges. We faced many trials to arrive at this beautiful place together. We tackled every obstacle as a united team, growing stronger with each step we took. We are truly blessed.
Submitted by Kevin Hadawi, Sr. V.P. at Wells Fargo Advisors. He and his wife LaSena live the Turtle Cove neighborhood in Rockwall.
Blessed by Fate
So, the year was 1979. I had just moved to Texas from Ohio with a buddy at age 19. I had $250 dollars to my name. I typed a note before leaving Ohio. It read, “Dear God. Please send me a job and a wife in Texas.” God did both! My brother and some buddies came to visit me. We went to a club. I was the designated driver. As we went to leave, a girl placed her Cowboy hat on me. She said, “I choose you.” I said it was not possible. I’m driving these guys to my apartment. She then put her hat on my brother. I told her he was leaving also. My apartment was nearby. We got home. My brother says, “I’m going back to find that girl.” He walked back there! As fate would have it. He saw her hat as she was walking to her car! They ended up dating. For months they tried to fix me up with her sorority sister. Finally, we double-dated one night. Went to play miniature golf. It was all over. The second I laid eyes on her. I knew she was my wife. I told everyone that the next day. They laughed. Six months later we were married! God sent me His very best. Here we are with our engagement picture in 1980. And last month in Mexico. 44-years and counting! I love her more today than yesterday. Amen.
Submitted by Frank Niezgoda. Frank retired in 2023 from Oracle Corporation after a 45-year career in IT. His wife Kathy just retired from Verizon. The couple reside in Lakeside Village in Rockwall, but spend much of their time at their lake house on Lake Tawakoni.
Business of Love
I was broken, lost in the aftermath of an abusive marriage, and struggling to rebuild my life both personally and professionally. I wasn’t looking for love—just a chance to regain my footing. When I applied for a job at a local dealership, I was guarded and unapproachable, still carrying the weight of past hurt. During the interview, I boldly told the GM, “You need me more than I need you,” and when asked about myself, I snapped, “Google me.”
To my surprise, the GM, Stavros D. Kaplaneris, didn’t walk away. Instead, he saw potential in me and hired me on the spot. That job became the start of my healing journey. Working alongside Stavros, we developed a professional connection built on trust and collaboration. Over time, that connection deepened into something more.
What began as a business relationship blossomed into love, and eventually, I followed Stavros to Virginia when he was transferred. Our bond grew stronger as we supported one another through life’s challenges, and I found the healing my heart had been longing for.
Years later, we returned to the very place where our story began, with Stavros taking on a leadership role once more. Now, as partners in both life and work, we’re committed to making a difference—not just in the business, but in the community we love.
Neither of us was searching for love, but sometimes, it finds you when you least expect it.
Submitted by Dorothy M. Kaplaneris. Her husband, Stavros, works as the General Manager at Cavender Nissan of Rockwall.
Love in the Ring
Our love story began amidst the glitz and glamour (or perhaps the sweat and spandex) of the independent wrestling circuit. In 2011, while producing a TV series, Becca found herself on the road with Hulk Hogan who was mentoring a roster of talented pint-sized wrestlers. This whirlwind tour, spanning three months across the southern United States, brought her face-to-face with her future husband, Matt who was the Technical Director on the project.
Their initial encounters were a whirlwind of chaos – navigating cramped tour buses, wrangling unruly wrestlers, and dodging flying elbows. But amidst the pandemonium, a spark ignited. Late-night dinner conversations, shared laughs over backstage antics, and the thrill of the fast-past world of TV production forged an unbreakable bond.
Once back in their hometown, they knew this wasn’t just a fleeting summer fling. This unique experience, born from the unexpected, proved that love can blossom in the most unconventional of places. After a 24-year career in television, Becca and Matt now bring their unique blend of organization, management of large assets and relationship building to a new arena, operating Real Property Management NorthStar in Rockwall.
Submitted by Rockwall residents Matt and Becca Bellamy.
Love Served Up
Melanie and I had a classic “small-world” moment that blossomed into our amazing love story. We grew up close to each other but never crossed paths romantically. Years later, fate intervened as we both found ourselves again living in the same town working our way through school.
Our paths converged at a local restaurant, where Melanie was my server. Weeks earlier, I had reached out on social media, only to be met with silence, aka I was ghosted. Little did I know, our chance encounter would rewrite our story.
It was Melanie who, with a playful smirk, scribbled her phone number on my receipt. This unexpected gesture sparked a whirlwind romance that has continued to amaze us. To this day, we often joke about who made the first move, a playful reminder of the serendipitous moment that brought us together.
Submitted by Gerald Hendrik, owner/Financial Advisor at Rockwall Wealth Advisors.
70 Years and Counting
One day a close high school friend of mine told me he had a date with a girl he knew in Ft. Worth. He wanted to know if I would be interested in going on a blind date with his cousin, who also lived in Ft. Worth. It would be a double date. I said sure, and we headed towards Ft. Worth that afternoon.
Well, it was love at first sight for both his cousin and me. I had a 1947 Ford at the time; it made many trips to Ft. Worth.
Mary and I went together for a little over a year and we decided to get married. We eloped to Gainesville, went to City Hall and got our marriage license. Then we had to go to a Justice of the Peace there. Vernon, my friend and her cousin, was with us to be a witness. The date was July 23, 1954.
A year and a half later we had a baby girl (Beth); two years later we had another baby girl (Cheryl) and four years later a baby boy (Brad). We have now been married well over 70 years with four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
We both agree we have had a great 70 years of marriage. And we both say we would do it all over again with each other.
Submitted by Sam Cox, who lives at The Marquis in Rockwall with his wife, Mary. Photo is from their 50th wedding anniversary.
Mission: Love Accomplished
It was just after the turn of the Millennium, when a simple confession was whispered on the wind. Early in their courtship, Tim casually mentioned to his future wife, Jaime, that his birthday was approaching, though he typically didn’t celebrate. Jaime decided that was about to change—and in a way he would never forget.
The next day, Tim received a small silver briefcase. Inside, the unmistakable scent of her perfume mingled with a cassette tape. A note read: “Play this when you get home and call me after.” Intrigued, Tim followed her instructions. The iconic Mission Impossible theme blared from his speakers as her voice delivered a message:
“Mr. Patrick, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to have a wonderful birthday. Please open the wrapped package that accompanied the briefcase.”
Inside was The Little Prince, a book they had talked about and promised to read together. She instructed him to turn to page 99, where he found a printed MapQuest page. The final directive: pick her up at 6:20 in one week and follow the directions to a surprise destination. The tape ended with the dramatic words: “This message will self-destruct in 5… 4… 3… 2… 1,” followed by the sound of an explosion.
Curiosity and excitement consumed Tim as the day approached. When the time came, she revealed her carefully planned surprise—a night out in Chicago to see the Blue Man Group. The experience, filled with laughter, awe, and creativity, left Tim stunned. “That was the best present ever! I am going to spend however long it takes to top this surprise!” he declared.
Over the past 25 years, Tim has devised many adventures-seeing the pyramids in Egypt, having our three boys play their violins at the Sydney Opera House in Australia, Singapore, etc., trying to top that extraordinary night. But for both of them, that first surprise was the one that cemented their love story, igniting a lifetime of shared adventures and creative gestures.
Submitted story by Jaime Patrick. She and Tim live in the Stone Creek neighborhood of north Rockwall. They both work in Financial Services- Jaime is a Director of Operational Strategy and Tim works as a Head of Information Management. This photo shows the Patricks on one of their favorite adventures together in Oahu, Hawaii.
Sweet Devotion
We’ve been making Rockwall a little sweeter for over seven years at the Rockwall Farmers Market with Mimi’s Sweets and Treats.
Our love story is definitely unique; not many people can say they are their brother’s uncle.
Duane and I had each just went through a divorce and we were set up by my niece who is married to his brother. I had known his brother for years but had never met Duane. We went out on a group date and that night our love story began. We just celebrated our 20th anniversary in March 2024. We are blessed with two sons, a daughter-in-law, grandson, a daughter and son-in-law. We have had five exchange students who we consider our kids also.
In 2021 our lives were turned upside down. While we were planning our daughter’s wedding, I received the news that I had breast cancer. We had a beautiful wedding that November and then the cancer journey began. After many treatments and surgeries, I am doing much better today.
I could not have made it through this without Duane by my side. He is my biggest supporter, my shoulder to cry on, my best friend and the love of my life.
Submitted by Amy Jones. She and Duane have lived in Caruth Lakes for eight years.
As Fate Would Have It
Our love story ignited in New York City on a blind date and it was love at first sight; our electrifying dinner date turned into a 4-day adventure filled with the romance of NYC: snow falling, walks around the city and Central Park. Bad weather kept me in the city and when it was finally time to leave, we were in love and nothing could keep us apart.
The next year, I flew back and forth from Dallas to NYC, where the stay of a week turned into a month, and then an entire season. I then made a bold decision to move across the country to be together and we married in 2011. Everything about our love story is sentimental, from meeting in NYC (as did my parents in 1951) to us getting married in the same ballroom in the same hotel as my parents did in 1952, The Melrose Hotel, to, after spending 17 years on the East Coast, and making a decision to return to Texas.
As expected, sentiment played a role in us choosing Fate as our new hometown. Decades ago, my father wanted to move to Rockwall to live on the water (he loved boats), but moving didn’t come to fruition. When we discovered the town of Fate, we knew it was meant to be. Fate brought us together all those years ago in NYC, and eventually Fate brought us back to Texas, only miles away from where my late father wanted us to live all those years ago.
Submitted by Patty Stern Rosenblum. She and Gary recently moved to the Monterra neighborhood in Fate. Patty is a digital marketing consultant and her husband is VP in a conversational AI company.
How I Met My Mate: Rockwall County couples share stories of how they found true love added by Melanie M on
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