Our Story Opens...

The first encounter: Two people chat idly in an internet chat room. Little do they know they are merely a town away from each other. He thinks she's his ex-wife (they share the same ISP). She wonders who the hell HankHill is. Pictures are exchanged.

They discover they are a short drive away from each other, discuss meeting sometime, and log off. (fade out)

A couple of months later: They happen upon each other in the same chat room. After some idle chit-chat, our esteemed star reveals he may be moving 100 miles away. What will Cheri do? Will she let this opportunity to meet the famed HankHill (aka Rick) slip through her fingers? NO! Our fearless Cheri declares a meeting is in order, dinner!

The first meeting: At a little Italian Bistro in Greensboro, the couple meet for the first time. They are both very nervous (What if he's crazy? What if she's a lunatic?). As the meal progresses, they find they have much in common. They talk for hours, closing the restaurant down. Neither is looking for a relationship, but they agree they should "hang out" sometime.

The couple begin to hang out. A drive in the country, a movie, more dinners. Cheri introduces Rick to calzones, Rick educates Cheri in Barbeque. Both vow they are friends, nothing more. Who are they trying to convince, us, or themselves?

Cheri arrives home from work to find a single yellow rose on her doorstep. A thank you from Rick for her help on a work project. Her heart melts a little. Just friends, right? Right!

The months progress. Cheri asserts her need for independance. She wants to be her own woman dammit! She sees Rick as often as she can.

The first kiss: They lean in, closer and closer. (fade to black) *smirk*

The proposal: Who asked who? Cheri, ever the independant, self-possesed woman, decided she couldn't let this prince among men escape her grasp. She popped the question on rainy Sunday, and our hero accepted.

September 12: Our stars spend Cheri's birthday moving, setting up housekeeping together. Rick tries to arrange a romantic dinner, but the move takes too long. They are both tired. Amongst unpacked boxes, by the light of candles, Rick drops to one knee and asks Cheri for her hand in marriage. She responds "No way!" It appears our heroine was *not* expecting the proposal. Once she understands, she says yes with tears in her eyes. Her birthday gift, a beautiful diamond ring.

The date is set, the planning begins. The rest, as they say, is history. Or is it?

Tune in next time for details on the wedding!