Joe and Kathy both experienced heartbreak in their lives. Regardless of how it happened in our lives, we each experienced it. What is amazing is the promise of God, which is to 'work all things together for good for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.' (Romans 8:28)

Nearly 50 years ago, January 1977, they were introduced to each other at a spiritual weekend retreat for teenagers. While their motives for attending may have varied, the result was that each had a special time with Jesus Christ, individually. But, they also met each other and for that weekend, and the few months that followed, had a friendship centered on Christ...and not any of their usual shenanigans. (Talking mostly about Joe here, haha.) They never kissed or any of that gooey, and possibly precarious stuff, but enjoyed each others company as much as possible.

And then, Joe, who was a senior at Union Endicott, left for college. Kathy, a Junior at Chenango Valley, stayed another year and they never talked again. Just months later, Joe would meet Dawn, his wife of 43 years and a few years later, Kathy met and married her husband. And, as mentioned earlier, each endured heartache that set the stage for God's amazing work in their lives.

Through a mutual friend, a longstanding member of the Church where Joe serves as Pastor, Kathy and Joe met again over coffee. A few laughs and remembrances led to another coffee outing and then over time, an event here, a day at the park there, and the re-kindling of a friendship that was sown long before.

Though they don't agree on what actually constituted their first 'official' date, they became engaged on New Years Eve, December 2025. The story may have begun long ago, but by the grace of God, the story is now going to be continued.

Photos