Francine "Franky" Hemby (Raleigh, NC) and Michael Echols (Morrisville, NC) were engaged on 10-17-03. The couple met on their job at MCI. Franky is a skater but Michael is not, at least not yet. Franky loves and charishes the great friendship they have. "We can talk about everything," Franky says. "He makes me laugh and most importantly, he loves Jesus sincerely which is evident by his words and deeds." We love each other because we know what love is . . .God is love!

How We Met

Even though we are coworkers, we actually had a skating connection. One night at work, I was telling him and another coworker about our Skate Jam in Raleigh. He said he was going to come check it out so I told him about SkateGroove.com. On the website he saw my birthday. He invited me to a Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin and Donnie McKirkland concert to celebrate. The rest is history.

He Proposed To Me . . .

I like suprises but had convinced myself I would figure out when he was going to propose. October 17 started as a normal Friday. We were going out to eat about 7:00 pm. I told him I was going home after work so he said he would meet me there. Well when I opened the door, my living room was filled with roses, balloons, my mommy Carolyn, my cousin Shelia and my Aunt Maxine screamimg "suprise!" Mike got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes!! My sisters arrived shortly after, my dad was stuck in traffic because of an accident and my Aunt Kay (Atlanta) called to congratulate. THEY ALL KNEW! He told me he chose 10-17-03 because when discussing marriage, he came up with 4-17-04 as our wedding date. He said that would give us 6 months to plan.

Mike "Player Mike" Richardson (formerly of the Kansas City Roll Patrol) and Nicole (Henderson) Richardson were wed on August 9, in Kansas City, MO at the Greater Life Community Church.

Glen and Tunisia Nichols

Tunisia (Knight) Nichols and Glen Nichols met at a late skate and clicked immediately. They went out to breakfast that morning and started dating. One house, two years and a ten grand wedding resulted from this meeting of this Virginia couple. Tunisia and Glen were wed on June 14, 2003.

Walt and Angela Parham

On Thursday, November 6, 2003 Walt Parham (Original Soul Rollers) and Angela (Satterwhite) Parham (Virginia Skate Connection II) were married in a private wedding ceremony planned by the couple. The couple met while skating in Smithfield, VA but they became connected during the Millennium Sunrise Skate Jam October 19, 2002.

He Proposed to Me

On September 3, 2003 Walt stated that he wanted to lock in his love and marry her. So he asked her to help him pick out the ring she desired. Angie immediately headed straight to Reed's Jewelers to lock in her love with Walt as they became engaged. With their support for one another, understanding and warmth of care life has been truly a blessing for the Virginia Lovers.

They say Virginia is for Lovers and the Virginia Skate Connection is keeping up with the theme. Congratulations to all of these couple and may God bless your union.