Our Story

The first time Sarah and I met, I was out shopping with my late wife, Estelle. Estelle was blind from retinitis pigmentosa, but she had an incredible ability to “see” clothing through her hands. With Sarah’s eyes and Estelle’s magic fingers, the two best friends made quite the shopping team. I still remember cheerfully wishing them fun on one of their “feel-about” wardrobe hunts.
More than two decades later, life brought Sarah and me back together in an unexpected way. After losing Estelle to a brain tumor, I was navigating the heavy journey of grief. During a visit to Estelle’s family in South Africa, I found myself reflecting deeply. I realized I wanted to go on living fully—and I knew I didn’t want to do it alone.
At the same time, Sarah was facing her own crossroads. The pandemic had made her realize she didn’t want to live a solitary life either. She had always prayed for the right partner, and COVID taught her it was time to make space in her life for him.
As we began spending time together—walking, talking, sharing memories—we discovered not only the bond of loss, but also a surprising amount of common ground. What started as friendship gently grew into something more.
Our first date was at a Yolanda Adams concert with the Nashville Symphony. As Sarah held my arm while we climbed the stone staircase, I quietly said, “step up”—a habit formed after fifty years of guiding Estelle. Sarah, who had climbed those same stairs countless times with Estelle, understood the kindness behind that simple gesture. On the ride home, I realized something special was beginning between us.
Our relationship grew “organically,” as we like to say. We often feel Estelle’s presence in the way our lives intertwined, and we credit her for bringing us together. Over time, our connection blossomed into a true partnership—one rooted in joy, shared purpose, and the desire to live fully. On June 3, 2023, we celebrated that gift by marrying, surrounded by friends and family.
Together, we’ve embraced a mission we call Live Long—Live Strong. For us, that means staying active, prioritizing health, and filling our lives with experiences that enrich body and soul. Hiking and travel have become a central part of our story—we’ve already spent about 170 days exploring ten states and seven countries, often with boots on the trail.
Our first year, when not traveling, was in Sarah’s charming home in Historic Downtown Franklin, where we could stroll to restaurants, theaters, and boutiques. But we both missed Nashville—our longtime stomping grounds, friends, and Sarah’s church. So, we decided to renovate the house Estelle and I built 42 years ago.
As true partners, we launched the renovation on our first anniversary—me as contractor, Sarah as lead designer, with her three talented friends as the “design dream team.” We knocked out walls, gutted bathrooms and the kitchen, added windows, and basically gave the place a full makeover, and by January, we moved into what feels like a brand-new home.
We combined decades of furniture and art, which miraculously worked together—either proof of divine providence or just dumb luck. Every week Sarah still tells me how much she loves the place, which makes all the dust and drywall worth it.
Now, we’re enjoying time with friends and family, while planning new adventures. Soon, we’ll take our plane west to explore more National Parks, and in 2026, we’re dreaming of a three-month journey overseas.
Our story is one of love found later in life, resilience, joy, and partnership—and we’re just getting started.