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Beginnings

Patrick was born to Frank and Anita Ford on February 19, 1980 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The Ford family lived in Oklahoma and various cities in Germany over the next six years. While in Germany, Patrick's sister Deborah was born (July 18, 1982). In 1986, his father retired from military service, enrolled in law school at the University of Georgia and moved the family to Athens, GA.

Allison was born on June 28, 1985 to Sonny and Karen Hubbard in Memphis , TN. Allison came home to join her older brother, Jeffrey (March 5, 1981). Her father owns and operates three Hubbard's Hardware retail locations in Memphis with his brother, Steve. It is a family business, started in 1945 (according to the eldest living Hubbard--never mind what you read in that link above) previously owned by Allison's great-grandfather and grandfather. Her mother has worked as a teacher's aide at Harding Academy for almost 18 years. Allison lived in Memphis until she left for college, and was fortunate to have both her father's and mother's parents always a part of her life.

We'll get this section linked up, soon.

On Sunday, September 14, 2003 Allison and some friends came to Otter Creek for “College Sunday.” The church provided a meal for all college students attending that day, as well as college ministry activities and opportunities for ministry. As an established member of the Otter Creek congregation and the college ministry, Patrick was meeting and welcoming many of the visitors during lunch. It so happened that the last seat he occupied during that lunch was next to a pretty girl with long, curly red hair named Allison.

There was nothing romantic about our meeting at that time…looking back, it makes for a neat story. But Patrick, Allison and the several other people (including Mary Morano) at that end of the table had a good, fun conversation. We both attended Lipscomb University (Patrick in his final senior year, Allison in her first year) and would see each other from time to time. Patrick would always greet Allison by name…and Allison couldn't remember his. But then one day, Allison walked over to see Patrick, who was sitting beneath an oak tree with his friends Jesse (now his best man) and Jessica. She was so excited because she remembered his name!! From that point on, we would greet each other by name. More and more often, Allison would come to sit under that oak tree with Patrick and his friends. She came to Otter Creek more regularly, and Patrick and Allison would spend long minutes talking there.

Sometime around mid-October (maybe the 8th or 9th), Patrick was given a gift certificate by Jessica to “Taste of India” in downtown Nashville . Not being otherwise possessed of means, Patrick asked Allison to join him on a date that weekend. This was Allison's first (and so far, last) foray into Indian cuisine. Patrick also took Allison to his favorite spot in Nashville , the Bicentennial Mall. After the date, their friendship continued, their conversations waxed longer and later and their appreciation for each other increased.

Allison and Patrick spent the night/morning talking on the phone Saturday/Sunday, November 1/2. On November 3, their dating relationship “officially” began. Allison had been waiting on this development for some time, and that Saturday, her mother and father came to Nashville. Patrick and Allison joined them for dinner on Saturday, November 11. During this meal, Patrick also had his first conversation with Allison's brother, Jeffrey, over the phone. Mary (from our first meeting) was also with us for “the meeting of the parents.” Apparently that first meeting his future in-laws went well enough…Patrick was welcomed to come to Memphis for the weekend prior to Thanksgiving.

Beginnings