Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day! Throughout the Carmel Christian community, there are numerous couples working in various capacities around the school and church! In honor of this special day, the Blue and Gold is highlighting the married couples of Carmel by featuring some fun-flash-back photos and a few of their favorite things about their significant others, alongside Valentine’s Day traditions. The couples are featured below in the order of the anniversary year that they most recently celebrated.

Mr. & Mrs. Fox

David and Alex Fox met in high school during their junior/senior year through a mutual friend. After becoming best friends, the two began dating the summer before Alex went to Chapel Hill. The relationship flourished throughout the four years and the two married on a perfect, fall evening on Oct. 15, 2016, at Olde Sycamore golf course. The two have been married for seven and a half years and already have begun planning their monumental tenth-anniversary trip. When asked what their favorite thing about each other is, David shares that what he loves most are her beautiful, green eyes, and how she always keeps him laughing with her humorous personality. Alex states, “he is an amazing husband and father, and loves us so well. He goes out of his way to serve others and make them feel special. He has the best sense of humor and is one of the most dedicated people I know!” The couple spends each Valentine’s Day going out on a dinner date. Both share that soccer tryouts typically fall on the 14th, which affects the plans; however, the two always exchange cards to show how much they love one another!

Mr & Mrs. Gwilt

Dan and Crystal Gwilt met at a Sunday school class bonfire for young adults in 2004. The two continued their relationship, and Dan proposed two years later. They married on June 3, 2006, at the same church they met in Butler, Pennsylvania. The two have been married for seventeen years and look forward to the monumental milestone of twenty years approaching soon. When asked about their favorite things about each other, Dan shares how he appreciates that Crystal balances him out. “I’m a penny pincher and she has taught me it’s ok to buy regular-priced unexpired groceries; but come on, it’s not like we get food poisoning that often.” Crystal admires her relationship with Dan and shares that he is her best friend. She loves his loyalty and his hard-working nature to provide for the family. He always puts others’ needs ahead of his own and she admires him for that. She shares, “I could not ask for a better partner in life!” The business of parenting and jobs doesn’t allow much time for Valentine’s Day celebration; however, the two always find a way to stop by the Hallmark store, find the perfect cards, read them together and then put them back! The two celebrate their love for each other each day through their family time spent with their children and acts of service! 

Mr & Mrs. Spruill

Scott and Stefanie Spruill met while Scott was traveling with a worship band raising money for a missions agency and just “happened” to stop at a small church in Indiana for one of their tour stops. Stefanie attended this church and held the door open for the band as they loaded their equipment back into the trailer after the concert and chatted with him a bit. The next morning there was breakfast at the pastor’s house. When Stefanie arrived there was only one empty seat left, and it was beside Scott. The two talked all morning and before the band headed out he asked for her number. They dated distanced for several months and then she moved to Virginia (where the missions agency was headquartered) and the two got engaged! The Spruills had a small ceremony on March 11, 2006, at Brentwood Church, where they met, in Lynchburg, Virginia. Both of their home church pastors traveled to Virginia to officiate the ceremony. The two will celebrate eighteen years of marriage next month and look forward to the twenty-year milestone. When asked what their favorite things about each other are, Scott reveals how he loves her sense of humor, her love for baseball, her passion for their children, her students and, of course, theater. Stefanie shares, “I love how funny he is. He can make me laugh harder than anyone else and is truly my best friend.” The two report that they don’t have set traditions for Valentine’s Day, but typically they buy chocolates for their children and celebrate love as a family! 

Mr & Mrs. Freeman

Lance and Lara Freeman met while working at Providence Country Club. Lance, who was 21 years old,  worked in the kitchen as a cook and Lara, who was 23 years old, was a banquet manager. The couple married on a beautiful fall day on Sept. 21, 2002. The wedding was at the Belk Chapel on the campus of Queens University in Charlotte. The two hosted their reception at the country club where they had met. The Freemans have been married for twenty-one years. To celebrate, the family took a trip to Universal Studios with their two children: Carter and Kennedy. When asked what their favorite things about each other are, Lance states, “my most favorite thing is her smile! I know that smile is for me and no one else! When she smiles it lights up the room!” Lara admires the way he cooks for her, his loyalty and hard-working personality, the way he always brings her coffee in the morning and his love for their children. The couple’s Valentine’s Day plans consist of making a nice steak dinner at home and celebrating with their children! 

Mr & Mrs. Bash

Ben and Julianne Bash began their relationship after meeting through her brother, Jason, who was roommates with Ben in college. The two officially met for the first time in the fall of 1990 and started their relationship six years later. Ben and Julianne married in Oct. 1997 in Austin, Texas at a church where they worshiped together while dating. The pastor had to cancel at the last minute, so the two had a backup pastor perform the ceremony. The reception was a traditional afternoon tea – a nod to the shared love of England! The two have been married for twenty-six years. They recently celebrated twenty-five years together in Newport Beach, California, attending the film festival for the screening of a film their eldest son directed! When asked about their favorite things about one another, Ben shares “Our shared story, her ability to make people feel significant, and that she is freaking awesome!” Julianne loves so many things about Ben, but among her favorites is his love for God’s word, watching him pour into their boys, his wise and steady spirit and his love of travel! Their Valentine’s Day plans consist of time at home together as the two celebrate their love every day! 

Mr & Mrs. Coffey

Grant and Wendy Coffey attended the same college, Tennessee Temple, and met through mutual friends. Their first date was to Ruby Tuesdays to discuss the recent breakups that they both had just been through- who knew that one year later, they would be engaged! The two married on April 3, 1993, at the same church Wendy’s parents married in Valdosta, Georgia. It was a beautiful, spring wedding full of love shown by their best friends and family. The Coffey’s have recently celebrated thirty years of marriage by taking a trip to Turks and Caicos. When asked what their favorite things about each other are, Grant shares how he loves Wendy’s humorous personality, her beautiful heart for the Lord, her selfless acts of service and her hard-working nature. Wendy admires how “he is so patient, makes me laugh, how he is intelligent, a good decision maker and a wonderful father to our two children.” Due to the month of Valentine’s Day, the two plan on celebrating while cheering on the Cougars at a CCS sporting event, as well as, dinner sometime the following weekend! 

Mr & Mrs. Schulz

Rock and Lisa Shulz met at a local church where the two served together. The two married on a snowy, winter evening on Dec. 20, 1986, at seven o’clock. Lisa shares, “people even had to leave the reception early so they wouldn’t get stranded in the snow!” The two have been married for thirty-seven wonderful years and both contest that it has been the best years of their lives! When asked about their favorite things about one another, Rock states, “Lisa’s love for God is uncompromising. She LOVES the Word of God and lives out what she knows from God’s Word. Lisa is a worshiper, and I love it when she plays the piano and sings! Lisa has a WONDERFUL sense of humor and brings so much joy into our home and wherever she is. I love being with Lisa, and doing life with her whether it’s going for a walk, riding in the car or watching a movie on TV. She’s the BEST!” Lisa reveals, “Rock Schulz is a steady, solid, faithful, genuine, master exhorter and sentinel of the Word.  A wonderful man of faith.  A protective father and compassionate husband. Loving, dedicated educator.  His eyes shine with joy and his smile exudes God’s love and kindness.  I am one blessed woman to have a life partner who is so caring and intentional in living for God.” Each Valentine’s Day, the two exchange cards and a small gift, as well as enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal of steak and potatoes or Wisconsin Chili and cornbread!

Mr & Mrs. Nelson

David and Sheila Nelson met during their senior year of high school while competing in a speech contest at a local fine arts competition. The two began dating in September of their freshman year of college, were engaged the summer before junior year and married two weeks after graduating from college. The wedding was held on June 14 in Haw River, North Carolina at the local church that Sheila attended in her youth. This year the couple will celebrate forty-four years of marriage. They recently re-celebrated the milestone of forty years by traveling to London and Paris. The trip was postponed due to the complications of the COVID-19 Pandemic and rescheduled when the two thought it was safe to travel. When asked what their favorite things about each other are, David shares how he loves her devotion and love that she shows him, her love for their children, her organizational skills, her common sense and her dependability. Sheila shares, “My favorite thing about my husband is his selflessness. He has such a servant’s heart and supports me so well. My job is very demanding, so he takes on extra things at home to help out. He cares deeply for others, especially me, and is a prayer warrior!” The Nelsons plan to spend Valentine’s Day abiding by their tradition of exchanging gifts and going out for a special dinner!