How I Met: Franklin Van Valkenburg

October 7th, 2011

My best friend, Rachel and I were heading to Blacksburg, Virginia for the famous Virginia Tech v. The University of Miami football game. It was not our first trip to the Hokie town, actually is was our 3rd trip from that year. We were on Interstate 81, Mile 202 in heavy traffic, when we got in a car accident and totaled poor "Charlotte". A friend from Blacksburg drove up, and we still made it to the game...

November 22nd, 2011

I believe this is the right date, but I was heading out of my American History class when I texted Rachel, asking her what she was up to. She was about to go to Lexington, Virginia to appear in court for the accident, since it happened in Rockbridge County. I asked her if I could join her, since I was present at the scene. When we arrived in Historic Lexington, we had heard tales about the Virginia Military Institute from back when we were in JROTC together, but we never knew it was in this small Southern town...until that day. We headed up Main Street when I spotted "The Pit" or VMI's indoor track building. It was the stables back in the day. I said "Virginia Military Institute?!" Rachel slowed way down and replied "What?!" We both looked up toward some steps where we spotted a cadet coming down them. We both screamed like little girls. We headed to the court house, the case was dropped. Afterwards, we decided to look around VMI's campus. A few cadets were tipping their hats and saying "Good afternoon, ma'am!" It made us blush! We visited the museum and I got to check visiting Little Sorrel's grave off my bucket list. I remember reading Jackson Arch "You May Be Whatever You Resolve To Be" and those words stuck when we left. I did not honestly think I'd ever be returning to Lexington after that.

November 2011-February 2012

I was asked by Rachel if I would join a dating site called OkCupid with her. I agreed, thinking "Sure, why not?" I went on a few dates, but none I really connected with and all eventually fell through. I actually deactivated my account for a while until I was convinced by Rachel to try again. I said I would for a week. In the end, I'm glad she did. Towards the end of the week, I was messaged by a guy named Franklin. He was a second classman (or junior) at the Virginia Military Institute. He had just received his ring back in November. One of the first things we talked about is Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. Rachel thought it was quite amusing that we could have such a long conversation about one person or topic. We messaged, texted, and eventually Skyped for about two weeks before Frank asked me to the Annual Mid-Winter Formal in February...

February 11th, February 12th, and February 21st, 2012

It took some planning, but I was going to the Mid Winter Formal. Franklin arranged for my friend Rachel to come along, since it was my policy to meet people only with a friend of mine present. Her date was our now good friend, Mr. Kevin Kyle. Rachel and I left Richmond at 1300 (or 1:00pm) and arrived around 1500 (3:00pm). We parked near the Admissions office and met the two cadets at Jackson Memorial Hall, or the Chapel. My heart was racing so fast as we drew closer to barracks. As we greeted one another, all I could do was look at the ground and smile. Kevin suggested we visit the Marshall Museum, since we had already seen the VMI museum. While walking over to the museum, Rachel and Kevin were engaging in conversation, while I couldn't say a word to Frank. Though he was just about as nervous as I was. Upon arrival, the two chivalrously paid for our ticket in. It wasn't until leaving the museum that Frank and I uttered a word to one another. After the museum, we decided to attend dinner at Macado's. Frank and I sat on one side of the booth while Kevin and Rachel sat on the other. We all had wonderful conversation over dinner and before you knew it, it was time to get ready for the dance. Rachel and I dropped the boys off at barracks and quickly headed over to the Walmart in town to grab a few things we forgot in Richmond. We rushed back to the hotel to get ready. We got out of the hotel around 1900 (7:00pm) when the dance was supposed to start. It was 19 degrees with a 22 degree wind chill. It was quite cold. Lucky for me, Rachel gave me her beautiful cloak to borrow for the night. I'm not one to be late, but when we arrived at our meeting spot (Jackson Statue) at 7:15, Kevin quickly walked up to Rachel and the two were ready to roll...but where was Frank? I looked around frantically, worried that he was there at 7:00 and sadly left, thinking I had abandoned him. I myself turned to Rachel, with concern until I noticed a cadet approaching in over-coat and with a yellow flower in his hand. He presented me the rose and I apologized for being late. He dismissed the matter, saying he had to grab this, motioning to the rose. We all quickly made our way into Cocke Hall and there I met Cadet Franklin Overstreet and his lovely date and girlfriend, Caroline. We all enjoyed conversation and the upbeat music of the live band. As Frank and I were dancing, I felt myself drawing closer to him, like it was meant to be. We also decided to get a professional picture done. As the evening was coming to a close, Kevin, Frank, Rachel and myself made our way back to the hotel to watch Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. We had sparkling cider to toast to the evening. It was one of the most memorable nights of my life...

The next day, Rachel and I checked out of our hotel and met up with Kevin and Frank to attend church at JM Hall. I loved hearing Chaplain Park speak. His message was about being Born of the Spirit. Afterwards, I asked Rachel if I could have some personal time with Frank to go on a run with him. The idea itself was crazy, just because I'm not a runner, and the day was just as cold as it was the day before. However, I wanted to do something that Frank wanted to do, and he was a cross-country runner. We started running on the Chessie Trail and I challenged Frank to a race. Naturally, I lost but as a gentleman, he gave me a five second head start. I ended up injuring my knee and again, the chivalrous cadet, carried me back to "The Pit". We bid farewell to one another as Rachel picked me up and I left Lexington once more, but this time hoping to return. Almost two weeks after the dance, Frank and I were still talking every day. It was on the 21st that he asked to officially become his girlfriend and court me. I happily agreed. 

355 days later, Frank proposed to me at the following Mid-Winter Formal. On October 5th, 2013 we were married in Jackson Memorial Hall, and the rest is history...

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken." -Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Until next time, my friends!!

Most Affectionately,

Erin