A fishing buddy asked a favor.

My best fishing buddy, Jack Bartell, asked me to help run a fishing outing for active-duty military personnel.

I agreed because he was my friend, I loved fishing, and I had a soft spot for the people still serving. I didn’t realize that this favor was going to become a several-year endeavor.

From Hampton to Tidewater

MAD1 Hampton led to me becoming Vice-President of MAD Hampton. I helped with MAD2 Hampton, too. The chapter later became MAD Tidewater to be more inclusive.

“I met many fine people along the way and had a lot of fun.”

Charlotte brought something to the party

Charlotte’s quilting talent became part of MAD, too. She made a raffle quilt, I cross-stitched one panel, and together we went on to make service-branch quillows—quilts that fold into pillows.

Charlotte and a recipient beside the service-themed MAD raffle quilt. — Charlotte’s MAD raffle quilt. I cross-stitched one of the panels.

Charlotte and a recipient holding a quillow with the U.S. Air Force emblem. — U.S. Air Force quillow giveaway at MAD.

Charlotte and a recipient holding a quillow with the U.S. Navy emblem. — U.S. Navy quillow giveaway at MAD.

The story of how Charlotte and I met includes a second date, a promise, and a beard. The photographs suggest the promise was kept.