February is the month known for love. St. Clair County Courier staff asked, "What's your love story?"
Love Letters...
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By Mary Jamsek
Roger and I met the old fashioned way...on the internet.
We were in a dating site made for older adults. You had to add your picture on your profile. In situations like this most people make sure to have a beautiful picture. We women go get our hair done and make-up and pick a very nice looking photo. Not me. I had dressed as the Mad Hatter for one Halloween and that was the picture I chose for my the profile.
We chatted with several people but kept circling back to each others profiles. I initially thought he was too skinny but he had a great smile. After a few weeks, we decided to actually meet. We were only 20 miles apart. Roger came to my house which was full of adult children and grandchildren. That night was wonderful.
Roger was very friendly and the kids thought he was awesome. He loved that I chose the Mad Hatter as my profile picture. He said that he kept going back to me because he figured anyone who would do that had a sense of humor. Roger made me laugh so hard that evening that my jaw and sides hurt. He also informed me that I was the world’s worst with giving directions.
Afterward, we would video chat every night during the week. I had to follow him the first time going to his place on a Friday evening. We both liked to drink beer and fishing. We also loved being in the country. The first time I drove to his home by myself I missed a turn. I called him to let him know that I got lost. He asked me where I was. I told him that I did not know but I could see the river and heard banjos playing. He had me turn around and go back the way I came until I saw his car. Apparently, I am also terrible at following directions to get somewhere.
As with every new couple came a HUGE obstacle. We had to meet the families. I don’t care how old you are, that is still scary. But that turned out to be wonderful. My family instantly really liked him and his family liked me. Most of the comments we learned later was that they liked the way we looked at each other. Every time I looked at Roger, I would smile and blush like a young girl. He would get a huge grin and his eyes would twinkle. My hand fit perfectly in his.
We had a lot in common including some of our thought processes. But we learned to accept where we differed. An example would be that Roger liked classic rock and I liked country. So we would take turns listening to other one’s music genre while we sat on the deck. Okay girls, hold your knickers for this. He learned all the words to Your Man by Josh Turner. He would sing to that song while we danced. I would just melt into him.
That is our love story.
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By Janet Laythem
My husband, Kevin, and I first met in the early summer of 1981 at the church both our families had started attending. He was sixteen and I was fourteen. We briefly “dated” during the summer. I also briefly “dated” his fraternal twin brother Kenny as well. But I dumped both of them; Kevin because he wanted to date a girl, a woman actually, who was TWICE his age. I dumped his fraternal twin brother because he had hygiene issues. During that summer, my sister was dating their older brother, Dennis. She dumped him at the end of the summer because he was too clingy. Dennis is four years older than the twins and my sister is 4 years older than me.
Fast forward to 1986 and Kevin and his family had started attending a different church but returned to the one we met at back in 1981. By this time, I’m now nineteen and he’s twenty-one. We started talking again and then one Wednesday night we ended up having an argument in the parking lot about who had the worst problem at the time.
His argument was that the girl he had been dating would not accept the fact that he was dumping her because she was too clingy, and controlling and just plain bat sh*t CRAZY!
My problem was that I was thinking very highly of getting out of the relationship that I was in BUT it would have been too little too late: I was two months pregnant.
During our argument we were looking at each other, straight in the eyes. As soon as I said that I was two months pregnant, Kevin immediately dropped his eyes to look at my still very flat and slender belly. I had to reiterate to him that, “Yes, I’m pregnant”.
Just after this argument we started officially dating. He was able to get his ex-girlfriend out of his life (for the time being). My ex-boyfriend, after telling him that I was pregnant and he asked me “so what are YOU going to do about it” instead of saying “we”, officially dumped me when I was four months pregnant so he was basically out of my life (for the time being).
My son Nathaniel was born on March 29, 1987. His biological did come to the hospital to visit me and see the baby. The last time he saw my son was when Nathaniel was three months old. Nathaniel will be thirty-eight in March 2025. A week after Nathaniel was born our church broke ground, on April 5, 1987, for a new church building.
Kevin’s ex decided she wanted to start causing problems again like sabotaging his work truck with her new boyfriend. They cut the brake lines on Kevin’s work tow truck. YIKES!
Kevin proposed to me in July 1987 in the middle of the store I was working in at the time, Best Products. We bought our wedding bands from the store’s jewelry department. For the rest of the year I planned and worked on our wedding.
We got married on February 20, 1988 in the new church building and were the first couple to be married in the new building. Information about the wedding ceremony was included in a time capsule that was placed in the new cornerstone of the building.
When we married I brought both a child and the vehicle into the marriage. We were both working full time jobs and I had my sister babysitting Nathaniel since he was six weeks old.
Since marrying almost thirty-seven years ago we have added three daughters to our family making us a family of five. Our children have gotten married, though one is currently divorced and the youngest is a senior in high school. Our older kids all have children making us the grandparents of ten; six boys and four girls ages fifteen to four.
We are just taking things one day at a time right now because both of us have been diagnosed with cancer in the past eighteen months and are undergoing treatments of different kinds. But we aren’t letting it control our lives. We still all love each other. As we all should.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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By Melody Schrock
In September 2012, I moved into the Stockton community under less-than-ideal conditions-- rain and cold. Soon after,strep and pneumonia developed. On the mend and in need of clean clothes, I donned my last pair of clean jeans and an old tee shirt. With my hair in a messy bun, no makeup, and minimal effort, I presented to the local laundromat.
This laundromat happened to be situated next to the local barber shop. I found myself at the change machine, surrounded by a group of men, one of whom had a notable bald head and a stately mustache. This gentleman, whom I later dubbed “Mr. Mustache,” questioned my need for $20 in quarters. I explained my lack of a washer or dryer and went about my business. The men’s business however seemed to be all about me. I sat outside on a bench reading and I heard Mr. Mustache ask, “What is she doing now?”, and his friend’s response, “If she were any further down the bench she would be sitting in the trash can!” I looked over and said, “You realize I can hear you all.” To which they said, “Why don’t you talk to us and not be stuck up.” I chatted a bit then finished my laundry and thought no more of this group of men whose names I did not remember .
A few weeks later, I attended an auction near the laundromat. Being practical, I decided to do laundry while waiting for the items I was interested in. Once again, I encountered Mr. Mustache. Our conversation revealed he was a volunteer first responder and firefighter—points in his favor for community support and healthcare work. His attire, featuring a prominent silver belt buckle, a walkie-talkie, and a sidearm, prompted me to ask if he was a cop or a cowboy. Despite his cryptic “I dabbled” response, our chat flowed easily. It was a chance encounter, but I learned what he drove.
As I was new to the community and had recently moved, I needed furniture. As I visited a local furniture and resale shop. I tried out an overstuffed comfy chair Then, I saw it: a red Dodge with emergency lights perched atop. This beacon of hope… he drove closer. When passing by, I stood, I waved… and then I noticed the blonde in the passenger seat. I sat, feeling a pang of defeat. Yet, this man clearly cranked his head like an owl, looking back at me. What’s with this guy? I later learned he had assisted his son’s mom with a needed ride. Chivalrous—another point in his favor.
I worked as a director of nursing and lived a few blocks away from my workplace. Often, I would go home during lunch to walk my small dog. On one such occasion, I received a call from the receptionist stating I had a visitor. I asked, “Who is it?” She said, “Dennis Schrock”. I replied, “who the (expletive) is Dennis Schrock?” She again said, “Dennis Sch-ro-ck”. I returned to the building, entered the office and inquired, “Who??” She whispered, “Barber shop” and I knew. I fluffed my hair, reapplied lip gloss and presented my best smile.
This man stated he knew I was new to town, had been through a lot, and thought maybe I needed a friend. What an understatement!! Not only did he become my very best friend but also now my husband of nearly 11 years.
I often say he stalked me at work, to which he replies, “Stalkers are stealthy, I just walked right in the front door.” I am sure glad he did because he also walked right into my heart.
Happiest of Valentine’s Day, my Gunner. Love your mustache.
Yours always,
Chica - Melody Schrock
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The Story of Jim & Eleanor
My grandfather used to tell me stories about his time in the Navy during World War II, but one story always stood out—the story of his best friend, Lieutenant James “Jim” Callahan, and the love he left behind.
Jim was a tall, broad-shouldered sailor from Boston with a quick wit and an easy smile. Before the war, he had fallen in love with a girl named Eleanor Hayes, a nurse with deep brown eyes and a heart as kind as it was strong. They had met at a dance hall in 1941, just months before Pearl Harbor changed everything.
Eleanor and Jim had spent that summer walking along the harbor, whispering about dreams of a future together. He had plans to build a house near the ocean, where they could watch the waves roll in each morning. She dreamed of opening a small clinic, helping families in need. But war has a way of rewriting destinies.
When Jim was called to serve, Eleanor gave him a silver locket with her picture inside. “So you’ll never forget me,” she said, pressing it into his palm the night before he shipped out.
He promised to write her, and he did—every chance he got. Long letters filled with stories of his life at sea, his hopes, his fears, and, most of all, his love for her. She wrote back just as often, sharing news of home, of the hospital where she worked, and of how she still danced alone to the songs they once loved.
The war raged on, and Jim saw things no man should ever have to see. He survived battles that claimed the lives of men he called brothers. Through it all, Eleanor’s letters were his anchor, keeping him steady in the storm.
Then, in 1944, during a fierce battle in the Pacific, Jim’s ship was struck by enemy fire. He was badly wounded, but he clutched the locket in his hand as he was pulled from the wreckage. For weeks, he drifted in and out of consciousness in a field hospital, barely alive. His letters to Eleanor stopped.
Back home, Eleanor feared the worst. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and still, no word came. The war ended, but Jim never returned to Boston.
It wasn’t until years later, long after my grandfather had come home, that he found out the truth. Jim had survived but had lost much of his memory from his injuries. He had been sent to a rehabilitation center in California, where he slowly rebuilt his life. By the time his memory fully returned, it had been too long—he believed Eleanor had moved on.
But love has a way of finding its way back.
In 1952, fate intervened. My grandfather, knowing the pain of lost love, found Eleanor still living in Boston, still wearing the locket Jim had given her. She had never stopped waiting. With a heart full of hope, my grandfather wrote to Jim, telling him the truth—Eleanor had never given up on him.
A week later, Jim was on a train to Boston. When Eleanor saw him step onto the platform, she ran to him, and without a word, he pulled her into his arms. They cried, they laughed, and they held on as if they would never let go again.
Jim and Eleanor married that spring. They built the house by the ocean, just as they had once dreamed. And every morning, they sat together, watching the waves roll in—finally home.
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By Luke & Bethany Taylor
During my junior year of high school, I was enrolled in choir with a few of my friends. Among my classmates was Luke, a freshman at the time and the younger brother of one of my peers. Initially, I only knew him in passing, but as the semester progressed, we became better acquainted.
One day, while walking through the hallway, I noticed Luke approaching me with a massive grin on his face. Without hesitation, he loudly proclaimed, “I love you, Bethany!” Amused, I chuckled at his enthusiasm, finding it endearing. This became a recurring gesture throughout the rest of my high school experience.
Fast forward four years, and I found myself at a game night with friends. One of them mentioned Luke and suggested that I should reach out to him. I was unsure about the idea and spent the following week debating it. Finally, on Sunday, February 23, 2020, I gathered the courage to send him a message via Snapchat. His response instantly brought a smile to my face, and before long, I was eagerly anticipating our first date. I excitedly shared all the details with my friends—thank you, Emily, for listening!
On March 5, 2020, Luke took me on our first date and, that same evening, asked me to be his girlfriend. Without hesitation, I said yes. He greeted me at my father’s barbershop with a bouquet of “crazy daisies,” a moment that made me realize how special he was. I firmly believed that God had placed him in my life for a reason and that I wanted to spend my life with him.
Just a week later, our world changed as the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down. We, like many others, faced unforeseen challenges, but we made it through—adapting with social-distanced dates and finding creative ways to stay connected. That summer, I spent many weekends visiting Luke in Ozark, and on Sundays, he would drive back to Osceola to attend church with me. We cherished our afternoons together, spending time with both of our families.
Then came November 13, 2020—Luke’s 21st birthday. The night before, he drove to my Nana and Papa’s house and stayed there while I went to work the next morning, assuming he was doing the same. Little did I know, he had other plans. That morning, as I stood in my classroom, Luke suddenly appeared–an armful of “crazy daisies” in hand and a nervous grin on his face. In front of my students, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Without hesitation, I said yes! I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with my best friend.
Luke’s Perspective
No matter the circumstances, I always try to see the positive side of things. At the time, I was living on my own, working full-time, and attending culinary school part-time. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing–I longed for someone special to share my life with. Instead of actively searching, I placed my trust in God, praying that He would bring the right person into my life when the time was right.
On February 23, 2020, that prayer was answered. That day I received a Snapchat from Bethany with a simply yet enthusiastic message: “HI LUKE!!!” I remember the picture she sent as it were yesterday. Immediately, I began overthinking everything and quickly realized I had feelings for her–but I was scared. I had known Bethany in high school and had always been a bit of a goofball around her, often shouting in the hallways,”I love you, Bethany!” Now, here she was, reaching out to me.
After a few conversations, Bethany invited me to attend chuch with her. At that moment, I know she was the one.
On March 5, 2020, I took Bethany on our first date. That night, I asked her to be my girlfriend, and to my joy, she said yes! We went to Sugarfoot to eat, and after dinner, we sat and talked for three hours. Those were the best three hours of my life.
Since then, I have cherished every moment we have spent together, and I cannot wait for all the adventures ahead.
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By Michaella Evans
It all started with a simple picture. My fiancé, not yet part of my life, was looking on my best friend’s phone when he saw a picture of me. Intrigued, he asked my best friend who I was, to which she jokingly replied, “She’s out of your league.” To that, he confidently said, “Bet,” and began making his move.
Not one to shy away from a challenge, he reached out to me on Facebook. What started as a friendly message soon turned into something much more. The connection was instant, and from that first message, we began to discover how much we truly had in common. Little did I know that one small conversation would lead to a love story that would change our lives forever.
Our first official meeting was on August 6th, 2022, at a local restaurant. We spent the evening talking over dinner, instantly hitting it off. The conversation flowed so easily, and we both realized there was something special between us. The very next weekend, we found ourselves at a cozy Mexican restaurant, enjoying more time together and getting to know each other better.
But it wasn’t until Saturday, August 13th, when our bond truly deepened. We spent the day at a local park with our kids, just enjoying each other’s company in the sunshine. As the day came to a close, Mike looked at me with a smile and asked me to be his girlfriend, and of course, I said yes.
In the months that followed, our love grew stronger and stronger. On February 4th, 2023, Mike surprised me with a proposal, and I happily said yes, knowing that we were building a beautiful future together.
Then, on July 28th, 2023, we received the incredible news that we were going to be parents. Our love story had already brought us so much joy, and now, we were about to begin a whole new chapter as a growing family.
Today, we are blessed with three amazing kids and are living happily ever after, cherishing every moment we get to spend together.
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Chad & Ashley Bryce
I was 19 and he was 23, went to the same school and hung with the same friends. We seen each other at an event and instantly connected, we dated for a few months and then decided to separate. After a month we crossed paths again and knew we needed to be together and still love each other. Well 13 years later we have 3 kids, great jobs and built a great life together and will Continue to build. Always remember to forgive, communicate and trust. It’s always great to have a solid foundation and trust in God.
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He & I
submitted by Herb Wickham
written by Donna Wickhame
It’s A “Heart_Shaped” Day...
work, why don’t you take a hiatus
can’t wait to again see ya
meet me at our secret hide-a-way.
sweet are your tender kisses
warm are your soft caresses
hold my hand with fingers enterlanced
sueeze me in your strong embrace.
walk me barefoot in the wet sand
made my head swim and spin
love me like theres “no end”
“tell me, you love me”, again and again
