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Jerry and Glory DeGraff

Sherri and Bob Shupe

Shirley and Wilbur Pleasants

Pam and Jacob Sisson

Sherri and Bob Shupe

We were in 10th grade homeroom together in the old annex wing of Andrew Lewis High School. I thought he was cute but I didn't know him. I heard he played tennis so one day I pecked him on the shoulder and asked him if he would teach me sometime. We were both 15 at the time and he said yes. His parents dropped us off at the Oakey's field tennis courts. Needless to say, we countined to "court" there off and on for years.

We broke up several times over the next 5 years, but every time I went out with someone else, I still thought of him. If I saw him in public, I would come home and tell my mom, "I saw Bobby Shupe today. I need to ask if he'd like to go out again." He would always give me another try but I would break up often just to make sure he was the right one. Over time, he became very weary of this and he finally broke up with me during our senior year at the new Salem High School. In the fall of 1979, he was a freshman at Virginia Tech. I was a waitress in Salem. We hadn't really seen each other since June so I sent him a new picture in a Christmas card and wished him well. He called a week later in January; we went out, discussed the past and what we both wanted in the future. We both admitted how we really felt about each other and one month later he proposed.

We married on June 13, 1981, and we've been happily married for almost 28 years and we both STILL know how we really feel about each other. It's been an awesome journey together and we are back to our original dating life now that our daughter is grown and married. We have a very strong foundation of commitment to our love, to God, and to Salem, where we live and work. This has sustained our long relationship. I can't wait to grow old together; it's going to be a blast with him.

Jerry and Glory De Graff

February 14, 2004, I decided to do something special for the lady I was in love with. We had plans to attend the USA dance at the American Legion on Apperson Drive that evening. I arrived at Glory's house and presented her with a single rose. We were talking about the dance and that we were going to Carlos' for dinner. The limo driver asked us if we were ready to go. Glory was aghast. We had a lovely dinner. She was so beautiful all dressed in red. We finished dinner and the limo driver was waiting to pick us up. Before going home, I had the driver take us up to Mill Mountain Star. We pulled out of the drive onto Franklin Road and Glory said this is not the way to the dance. I told her we were going a different way. Once we started up the hill she knew where we were going. On arriving, we walked out to the overhang and stood there in the cold gazing at the city below.

I put my arms around her and told her that I was deeply in love with her and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I reached into my pocket and gave her a locket with a small diamond in the center. I told her to wear this as a sign of my love until we could get the proper engagement ring. Glory did not put it on; she put it in the case and in her purse. We went to the dance and had the best time and danced every dance.

The next day Sunday afternoon I received a call from Glory telling me to meet her at the Star. I was perplexed, not knowing what to expect. We met and she asked me to get into her car. She asked me to put the necklace on her. That was Glory's way of expressing how she felt.

We were married that December at Mountain View where we met. February 18, 2006, Glory was taken from me and is in heaven. I visit her every day at the cemetery.

Wilbur and Shirley Pleasants

On September 5, 1955, Shirley Fischer and her mother, from Clifton Forge, Virginia, were sitting at a very small table in the very small town of Franklin, West Virginia, along with many friends and other family members, all attending a banquet for the National Speleological Society (for the study and exploration of caves).

In walked two men who asked if they could share our very small table, the only one left.

Upon our "yes," Shirley shyly looked into the brown eyes of a very nice looking guy.

Wilbur Pleasants and his geology professor, James McClung, from Auburn University in Alabama were exploring and mapping caves in West Virginia and planned their trip around the N.S.S. convention.

As the evening progressed and ease settled around the very small table, Wilbur asked Shirley to accompany him to the festivities at an old mill nearby.

Well, Shirley knowing he was a stranger and her mother was quite protective of her youngest daughter said, "If I can take my mother"!!

As it turned out, that was a very good idea as Shirley's mom was an accomplished pianist and everyone gathered around the piano to sing their favorite songs. It was a great evening!

To make a very long story shorter, the following day, Wilbur and Shirley went on a large all-day hay ride through the mountains of West Virginia; they talked for hours and had a wonderful time.

By that evening, 24 hours after meeting each other, Wilbur asked Shirley to marry him, and she accepted!!

For the next year, Wilbur burned the highway between Auburn and Clifton Forge at every college break. Finally, he grew tired of the long trips and accepted a position with General Electric Company (Navy-Marine Dept.).

Wilbur and Shirley were celebrating their 52nd anniversary on February 9, 2009, which is also Wilbur's birthday.

Both are faithful members of the Roanoke Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

Wilbur is retired from General Electric Co. and Shirley has been a homemaker and mother to their three sons and three daughters.

Blaine (Alexis) Pleasants and children: William, Christopher and Danielle of Orlando, Fla.

Deborah (Roger) Rardin and children: John of Salem, and Kurt (Meghan) Knoxville, Tenn.

Tech. Sgt. John Pleasants, USAF and daughters Vanessa, Samantha, and Kristina, Cameron, N.C., and Troy, Ill.

Tech. Sgt. Retired USAF, Mark Pleasants, North Las Vegas, Nev.

Suzanne (Ted) Lancaster and children: Colin, Cameron, Garrison, and Emily of Salem

Elizabeth (Josh) Allison and daughters: Kaitlyn and Isabelle of Spring Hill, Tenn.

Wilbur and Shirley have made their home for many years in the Salem area.

Mide and Jen White

I was in love with my wife before we started dating and didn't even know it. I discovered this fact today as I was walking through my workplace to wash my hands before joining my wife for lunch. As I was walking I was thinking about how much I was looking forward to seeing her and was reminded of a time several years ago at a Fourth of July party.

We had been friends for several years, but were in separate relationships. Just seeing Jen walk up to the porch made me grin from ear to ear and I looked forward to the hello hug. I realized today that I get this same giddy feeling every time I know I am about to see her, be it at work or coming home in the evening. Seeing Jen just totally makes my day; she has such a pretty smile, it melts away all my troubles and leaves me smiling.

We were married last October, an outdoor wedding at Longwood Park. Rain was in the forecast all week, but we were determined to have an outdoor wedding. Our "adventure" began on a Saturday afternoon. The rain passed and the sun came out. We had the best wedding, with a dear friend performing the ceremony. After the reception Jen and I walked to our house, in tux and wedding gown, basking in the fact we pulled off an October outdoor wedding that was perfect. The sun came out, the fall leaves, both on the ground and still on the trees provided a most colorful background, the setting we chose at the park ... was the apt beginning for us.

Jen and I have had a wonderful start to our "adventure." We go hiking on many of the trails in this wonderful part of Virginia, we did the Mud Run for Toys for Tots last September, we canoe on the local rivers and fish, visit local festivals and music event...the list goes on.

And on top off all this, my wife is so thoughtful and caring. She will put herself out to make others happy, not just me ... From Christmas Angels to donating blood at the Red Cross, this girl has a heart of gold.

I wrote Jen a note and left it taped to a mirror on her dresser before we were married, "I am a very Lucky guy ... I Love You." The note is still there, becoming more obvious every day I am with my wife.

As I close this, I have a grin on my face again. Jen is asleep on the couch, and I am looking forward to kissing her when I wake her up.

I am a Very Lucky Guy.

Pam and Jacob Sisson

My name's Pam and when I was 13, I had the biggest crush on my big sister Shannon's friend Jay. When he called to talk to her I'd steal the phone and we'd giggle and chat. He was so funny. I was over the moon for this boy but he wouldn't date me because he is three years older than I am. My family moved a few towns over but Shannon stayed to finish up high school with her friends. Jay and I didn't keep in touch.

A few years passed then we were both invited to a football game by Shannon. I saw him and he was still sweet, funny and as cute as ever. We were sitting there watching the game and he leaned over and asked me if it hurt when I fell from heaven. I smiled. He left and we lost touch again. More time passed and right as I was going through a bad divorce Shannon and I ran into Jacob at his work. Shannon prodded Jay and I to get together and talk as friends. Or so I thought until Jay showed up with flowers for me. Seven years later, here we are. We've been married for three years now and have been through so much together. I'd never want to share those experiences with anyone else. To my sister Shannon, thank you for putting us together. I'll always be grateful. To my silly Jay, I love you. I always have. Happy Valentine's Day.