Holly and I began conversing through the online website match.com. After chatting for 3 or 4 weeks and getting to know each other, we decided to meet in person. We met at a Thai restaurant in Buffalo, New York and immediately hit it off. I was so drawn to her by her beautiful eyes and easy going personality. She was able to draw me out of my shell very quickly. We very quickly decided to move together to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was here that we bought our first house together and I proposed to her after dating for two years. It was one year later that we were married in front of family and friends in Lockport, New York. Holly is quite possibly the strongest person I have met. We draw our strength from each other and lean on each other to get through life. I am the luckiest man alive to have Holly at my side and be able to “do life” with her. We have been through the highest of joys and the lowest of heartache, but Holly and I have stuck next to each other and relied on each other to bend, but never break. We have a great relationship with each other and share everything. I believe that is what keeps our relationship so strong. We sometimes disagree and don’t see eye to eye on things, but we communicate with each other and try to see the other's views.
The proudest moment that I have for Holly is the day that she delivered our little Addy, a happy healthy little girl. We had so many fears throughout her second pregnancy, with how our first pregnancy went. Holly had that sparkle in her eye all through the delivery, and as soon as Addy was in her arms they had that special bond.
Holly and I spend most of our time at home together. We have a circle of friends, primarily from work, that we hang out with. I tend to be shy with people that I don’t know, but I am very social and silly with people that I do know. We have an extended group of friends from our church that we meet with occasionally. During tough times I turn to Holly primarily for support, but also get support from family and friends. I am a very internal person, so I tend to internalize things before speaking to others. Even though I have had my two baby girls pass, I don’t believe this impacted the way I relate to people. I have noticed that I try harder now to look at the way others see things and try to be more empathetic.
Background Information:
Holly grew up in a small rural community in North Collins, New York. She graduated high school with a NYS Regents Diploma in 2001. In 2003, she graduated with honors and received her Associates Degree in General Studies at Erie Community College in Orchard Park, New York. She then transferred to Buffalo State College and graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Art Education Bachelor's Degree in 2005. In 2008, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Special Education/ Childhood Education Master's Degree from Canisius College. She taught special education (ESE) students during the first six years of her teaching career, and has taught elementary art these past two years. She takes great pride in her work and brings out the best abilities within her students.
Holly with her two nephews
Henry and Charlie
