Coincidental Meetups…

It all started the summer of 1996, when Mark and Andrea met at Ceta Canyon, and they wrote a few letters to each other over the year. The next year, Mark came back and saw Andrea, who looked like someone else he met the previous year–and so he made a fool of himself but got back in touch, nonetheless.

By the end of that week in 1997, Mark and Andrea had shared some great experiences, and connected on a deep emotional level. They walked away from camp with a strong interest in keeping in touch…

And they did.

A Fond Friendship…

Over the next few years, the letters and e-mails and various interactions became more and more frequent. Great little letters and visits when Andrea came back to Abilene to visit her Grandmother gave Mark the opportunity to see Andrea in a wonderful light.

Andrea, in the meantime, had broken up with her boyfriend from High School, and was not looking for a relationship, so it seemed like a great idea to go see Mark over one October weekend her Freshman year at Natchitoches.

And it was wonderful. They talked to each other for hours and hours… and then, both, secretly, though “I could marry this person… they’re wonderful.”

Indecision…

The year of 1999 was rocky for them, to say the least. Over the course of 12 months, Mark dated a few other women while at A&M, but ended up talking to Andrea about marriage and it’s possibilities by the end of the spring semester. Andrea went off to Kentucky for the summer, and the two were unable to really stay in touch, save a few phone calls. By the time the Fall came around, it was clear to Andrea that Mark didn’t care

But Mark didn’t have a clue.

Against Circumstances…

By the end of 1999, Mark and Andrea had finally started to piece things together, and both of them made a concerted effort to stay in touch. After a long spring semester, where the frequency of calls from College Station to Natchitoches increased (and continued for the next 2 years), Mark finally got serious and committed to courting Andrea, even with 250 miles between them.

Mark’s Senior Year at A&M was fantastic. By the end of it, he was calling Andrea once every other night for at least an hour, sometimes up to three hours. Phone bills were nothing though…

Ahh, to be in love

Decisions and Changes…

Mark left for Nepal at the end of college for a 6 week mission trip. It was there that he decided to ask Andrea to marry him. Andrea couldn’t wait to see him–but the half a world worth of difference made things difficult.

Mark then started work at his new job at Motive as Andrea started her Senior year. Life was good.

On October 15th, 2001, Mark was laid off from his first job, just 2 1/2 months after starting it. On October 19th, 2001, he proposed to Andrea with a bible that had “Andrea Simoneau” engraved on it.

She said “Yeah”

A Loving Marriage…

Even without a job, God provided for everything in time. From the wedding funds to a new job with Motive in the fall to time with Andrea over the summer, and a great time getting to know one another.

They celebrated their 7 Year anniversary in June of 2009.

A Growing Family…

On October 8th, 2004, Timothy Robert Simoneau was born.

On December 31st, 2005, Bethany Claire Simoneau was born.

On May 5th, 2009, Rachel Elena Simoneau was born.

On August 11th, 2010, The Last Simoneau is expected.