Sandra and Mitch Ownby “NOW” by Kristi Dickinson Photography.
Editor’s Note: 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 – Culpepper Cattle Co., Dodie’s Cajun Diner, Zanata, Wickland’s Sweet Connection, Lakeside Florist, and Wildflower Wigs.
ROCKWALL, TX (Feb. 5, 2026) Mitch and I met on Wednesday, April 14, 1993, at Chances (a country western bar in Dallas). At that time, I was already working full-time for a law firm and would not have generally been out “partying” on a Wednesday night; however, I was going out of town the next day with some friends, so we decided to start our vacation early.
Although we were originally brought together by our friends who met that night and hit it off, we ended up talking most of the night and came to realize we had much more in common than they did. We had our first official date the following Tuesday – dinner at Culpepper and a movie, Indecent Proposal, a bold choice for a first date, but we didn’t realize it at the time.
The rest is history…We were married on December 31, 1993, and just recently celebrated our 33rd anniversary. We moved to Rockwall in 1994 and have been proud residents of Rockwall County ever since.
In March of 2019, we renewed our vows on the Sea of Galilee. I am blessed to call Mitch my best friend and partner in this incredible life we have built together. We have three daughters, Madison, Kennedy, and McKinley (yes, all named after Presidents), a granddaughter (Alison), two dogs, Sienna and Moose, and two cats, Salem and Willow. What started as a chance meeting on a random Wednesday night turned into a very intentional life – and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Submitted by Sandra Ownby. She and Mitch have lived and served Rockwall County for 30 years. ‘Now’ photo by Kristi Dickinson Photography.
How I Met My Mate | A Chance Encounter: Rockwall County residents Sandra and Mitch Ownby added by Editor on
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