Happy Valentine's Day! As we celebrate this day of love and connection, we're excited to highlight the heartwarming love stories of PA alumni couples. Some of these connections were forged during their time at Pulaski Academy, while others blossomed after graduation.
From high school acquaintances to post-graduation reunions, these alumni couples exemplify the enduring bonds that Pulaski Academy fosters.
Join us as we honor their journeys, celebrate their love, and learn about these PA love stories.
How did you and your partner meet at Pulaski Academy?
I've known Missy since grade school.
What were your first impressions of each other?
I thought she was the cutest girl I have ever met with beautiful green eyes.
What activities or events at PA played a significant role in your relationship?
I played all sports and she was a cheerleader. We also had classes together.
Are there any school community members (teachers, staff, or classmates) who played a special part in your love story?
Sandy Ledbetter and Coach Butch Ferriter
What paths did you and your partner take after graduating from Pulaski Academy?
I was a year ahead and she and I both went to SMU. We didn't date again until I transferred to Arkansas.
How has your relationship evolved since your PA days?
We married when we were 24 and 23. In November 2023, we celebrated our 40th anniversary.
What lessons have you learned about love and partnership?
For better or worse, you have to be all in to make it work.
How did you and your partner meet at Pulaski Academy?
Classes in the 80's were small. Everyone knew everyone back then. How we became reacquainted is a different story. We re-met at our 25th high school reunion.
What were your first impressions of each other?
When we met in 2012. I thought, "Wow, he's cute and nice for a lawyer!" And, most certainly, he thought, "She's still gorgeous!"
What activities or events at PA played a significant role in your relationship?
Our senior year at PA there was a city-wide Y-Teens powder puff football tournament. Stephen was one of our coaches; I was the quarterback. We made it to the championship game and lost to Little Rock Central High. We still look back on those games and laugh.
Are there any school community members (teachers, staff, or classmates) who played a special part in your love story?
We both stay in contact with several members of the Class of 1987. More than a handful have played a part in our story. In 2012, Karla Perkins Lasiter (PA '87) "forced" Stephen to go to our class reunion dinner party. If not for her, he would not have been there. That same evening, Annie Wright Zvonecek and Gaye Williamson (both PA '87) teamed up to make me sit next to the guys (rather than gals) at our table; Steve was one of those guys and that is when we reconnected.
In 2021, we were able to attend Jason Matt (PA '87) and Estee Gray's wedding in Utah. Several other guys from the Class of '87 were there as well: Douglas Braswell, Kris Gillian, Curt Holton, and Les Lewis. It was a blast to hang out with these guys and their lovely wives. These guys are in a text group, where Les recently announced he would send in our PA Alumni Love Story, "along with embellishments" if Steve or I didn't step up and share it ourselves. So here we are, married and sharing our unembellished Love Story.
What paths did you and your partner take after graduating from Pulaski Academy?
Steve graduated from Duke University and UALR Law School. He married and had 3 children, Annie, Jesse (PA 2021), and Stephanie (PA 2023). I attended Vanderbilt University with 4 other 1987 PA graduates: Kathleen Hamill, Shannon Jones, Jason Matt, and Annie Wright Zvonecek. Together, we represented more than 10% of the PA Class of '87.
I married and had 3 children, Hailey, Cici, and Morgan. After all my kids were in college, Steve and I married /eloped in June 2017. In December 2023, we had a vow renewal dinner so that our family could celebrate our marriage with us. One of our kids gave us a card congratulating us on the life we have built together and encouraging us to "keep up the good work."
How has your relationship evolved since your PA days?
When we were at PA, I don't think anyone thought we'd ever end up together. We just weren't on each other's radar. By the time we reconnected, we had both experienced a lot of ups and downs in life. Our life experiences helped make both of us more kind, patient, and resilient. We've learned to laugh at ourselves and are not the high-strung, overly-driven people we once were. Our relationship is marked by mutual respect, peace, and the desire to enjoy life.
What lessons have you learned about love and partnership?
Be kind. Be respectful. Be quick to forgive. Your family and true friends are the most important things on this Earth; make time together to invest in them.
How did you and your partner meet at Pulaski Academy?
We met on Grace's first day at PA in 8th grade.
What were your first impressions of each other?
Grace immediately had a crush on Josh. Maybe it was his perfectly gel-styled hair-do, or maybe it was his Godly, kind, and respectful treatment to everyone around him. Josh thought Grace was kind, bubbly, fun, and full of love for the Lord.
What activities or events at PA played a significant role in your relationship?
Just about every activity and event at PA played a role in our beautiful relationship. We always kept a close friendship but never had a romantic interest in one another until we were seniors. We knew there was a spark on a snow day right before Winter Formal 2010. We had a few classes together but grew mostly through events outside the classroom. Grace would watch Josh play baseball and Josh would cheer on Grace at the track meets.
One of Josh’s favorite memories was watching Grace compete in the state championship high jump event in Paragould and driving the long way back in a massive thunderstorm. Grace would always cheer on Josh at the baseball games. Other memories Josh and Grace have together include pep rallies, basketball games, off-campus lunches, and Ring Ceremony- a chance for Josh to pass along a poem inviting Grace to prom through her junior ring recipient.
Are there any school community members (teachers, staff, or classmates) who played a special part in your love story?
Our close friends in our graduating class (Sam, Mary Kate, Alex, and Lauren) have surrounded Josh with never-ending love and support. “If it’s meant to be, it’ll last.” -Coach Billy Adams
What paths did you and your partner take after graduating from Pulaski Academy?
Josh attended Georgia Tech and got his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Grace went to Ole Miss for undergrad and Pharmacy School. They maintained a busy and successful long-term relationship. After getting married in 2015, Josh worked for Project Consulting Services (PCS) while Grace finished pharmacy school before Josh and Grace both moved back home to Little Rock in 2017. Josh now works for Cromwell Architect Engineers and Grace is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Hepatology at UAMS.
How has your relationship evolved since your PA days?
After a successful long-term relationship, we got married in June 2015 in Little Rock. We have Elizabeth, 4 (a little Bruin), and Elijah, 1. Elizabeth and Elijah enjoy spending time with “Mimi” (Tammy Thornburg Jones, PA Alum ’81), “Uncle Nick” (Nicholas Jones), “Mommaw” (Bev Thornburg), “Lolly” (Dena Pickle), and “Pop” (Greg Pickle). They love “Uncle Grant” (Grant Pickle, PA Alum ’15), “Aunt Shelby” (Shelby Snider Pickle, PA Alum ’16) and their Baby Cousin Susie.
What lessons have you learned about love and partnership?
We have learned that if you put God first in your marriage and family, you can withstand anything. Being the product of PA education, “excellence above all”, it is easy to get wrapped up or be yoked by the results or successes of life. Success in your spouse, your kids, your job, and life in general- all of which will have moments of disappointment and be burdensome.
God met us on Valentine’s Day 2022 with a lesson on being journey-driven, and that His yoke alone is light regardless of the results life brings. “ For my yoke is easy and My burden is light” Matthew 11:30. When Elizabeth was 2 years old, on February 14, 2022, our son Daniel was born still at 40 weeks and 2 days after a completely uncomplicated pregnancy. Although heartbreaking and tragic, the Lord shone through what we thought was the hardest time in our marriage and lives. We became stronger together and we learned that, through Christ, all things are possible. Elijah Daniel was born less than a year after Daniel. We thank the Lord daily for His constant blessings and the gift of salvation.
How did you and your partner meet at Pulaski Academy?
Nathan moved from the Dallas area to Little Rock/PA when we were in 8th grade, and Kara Billingsley (now White) and I were the only 2 girls in an all-boys history class with him. I sat in front of him and we maybe spoke 2 words to each other until junior year.
What were your first impressions of each other?
He says that he noticed how silly I was. And I would say, when we first got to know each other, I was surprised to notice the same about him. I thought he was so shy (though I am not sure why as his best friend was Ian McMath)! Our love for humor was a big part of what drew us together.
What activities or events at PA played a significant role in your relationship?
Besides partnering up in Mr. Reed's physics class where our love began, sports/spirit squad. He played football/basketball and I was on pom. We went to Waffle House after almost every home game, and I begged Coach Lishman to let me ride the cheer/boys' bball team bus home so I could stay for away games to see him play.
Are there any school community members (teachers, staff, or classmates) who played a special part in your love story?
Shout out to Mr. Topich for letting me interrupt his thesis class to ask Nathan to Sadie using his whiteboard. :) As far as classmates, we have some lifelong PA friends who were there from the beginning and stood by us when we said our vows. We are so lucky and thankful for them! (Anna Kathleen Plyler, Sarah Barlow, Geenah Krisht, Victoria Gean, Zia Siddiqui, Natalie Kemp, and many more friends.)
What paths did you and your partner take after graduating from Pulaski Academy?
We did long distance while I was at U of A and he was at Boston University. I used up all my family's airline miles visiting him. Then we moved to Dallas together, I went to work in marketing and he went to law school, and we got married summer of 2019. We just welcomed our first baby girl in October 2023!
How has your relationship evolved since your PA days?
It is crazy to think about, but we're close to having been together for the majority of our time on this earth! We've truly grown up together and seen each other through all of our major life events. We know each other better than anyone else at this point! In a lot of ways, though, we're still goofy 16-year-old MK and Nathan. We just have bills to pay now! :)
What lessons have you learned about love and partnership?
I would say the most prominent theme in our relationship has been patience. From doing long distance multiple times, to dating for almost 10 years before we got married, and learning everything about one another in between (including the pet peeves), patience has been the most challenging yet rewarding part of our relationship.
How did you and your partner meet at Pulaski Academy?
We met on Portia’s shadow day in 9th grade.
What paths did you and your partner take after graduating from Pulaski Academy?
After graduating from PA, we went to the U of A and started dating our sophomore year of college. Zac completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Portia received her Masters in Educational Leadership. We live in Lafayette, Louisiana, and Zac is a veterinarian and Portia is an Assistant Principal.
How has your relationship evolved since your PA days?
We were just good friends in High School! After graduating college, we both moved to Baton Rouge where Zac attended veterinary school. After 8 years of dating Zac proposed! We got married during COVID. This past October we grew our family and welcomed Rhett Allen Reyna into our lives!
What lessons have you learned about love and partnership?
Marry your best friend.
How did you and your partner meet at Pulaski Academy?
We met in Kindergarten.
What were your first impressions of each other?
Madison hit Blake on the head during naptime as the "wake-up fairy" in Mrs. Hindmon's class, so it was off to a good start!
How has your relationship evolved since your PA days?
We just celebrated 13 years together, 3 years married, and 1 and a half years with our daughter, Emerson!
How did you and your partner meet at Pulaski Academy?
I (Shelby) had the biggest crush on Grant from seeing him around. We always passed each other in the halls and I even snuck out of class one day to go talk to him on the football field during his lunchtime (before he even knew me). I always begged my brother and friends to put in a good word for me and one day he finally texted me and the rest is history🤪
What were your first impressions of each other?
Shelby: Well, when I was in middle school one day I told my mom “When I get to high school, I’m going to date Grant Pickle.” Love at first sight for sure😍 Grant: Shelby is different from any girl I’ve ever met. She locked me in with her kindness and most beautiful smile.
What activities or events at PA played a significant role in your relationship?
We took any classes we could together which was too much fun! We took concert choir, pre-calculus, and oceanography together. It’s also special that we cheered each other on at football games and volleyball matches.
Are there any school community members (teachers, staff, or classmates) who played a special part in your love story?
Katherine Hinson, Maryscott (Polk) Timmis, and Lauren (Vassar) French for telling Grant every day that I had a crush on him. Oh, and Coach Kelley owes Grant a steak dinner for betting we wouldn’t end up together.🤣
What paths did you and your partner take after graduating from Pulaski Academy?
We both went to the U of A, got married after 8 years of dating, and had our sweet baby girl, Susie Pickle.
How has your relationship evolved since your PA days?
Wow. We started dating in 8th and 9th grade, became each other's very best friends, and now we are our own little family (with Susie and Margie).
What lessons have you learned about love and partnership?
Always be a student of your partner and keep God at the center of your relationship. Oh, and don’t take each other too seriously.🤣
A big Bruin thank you to each of these couples for sharing their stories and offering insight into the enduring bonds and shared experiences that define our Pulaski Academy community. Happy Valentine's Day!
