The Story of
Neal's Too-Short Life
page 2
Neal moved to Aquia Harbour in 1997 to live with his mom, Randy, Heather, and Joey. He decided to follow his father's footstep and his childhood dreams and began a career in law enforcement as a dispatcher with the Stafford County Sheriff's Office.  Just over a year later, he decided to take that career to the next level and became an Aquia Harbour Police Officer.
Neal's Story --- Page 3
Simultaneous to following his dreams of being a police officer, he volunteered with the Aquia Harbour Rescue Squad, Medic 9, as well the Stafford County Fire Department, Engine/Truck Company 2.  He held numerous State and County certifications and he began taking classes to obtain his Cardiac Technician certification in the fall of 1999, which he obtained in the summer of 2000.
Then, Neal met me (Cyndi)  on September 17, 1999 online when I decided to chat with him because we lived close to each other.  He told me he was sitting there looking at baseball card websites ... and of course, I didn't believe him.  But somewhere in the middle of our 5-hour online conversation I decided he probably wasn't lying because I did totally catch him of guard with various parts of our conversation and that's when I realized how innocent (young) he was.  Both of us got tired of typing, so I gave Neal my number and he called, and we talked for almost 6 more hours.

After talking for .... probably the better part of 40 hours or more over the course of the next 3 days, I felt comfortable enough to invite him to the house for dinner.  I had sent him lots of pictures of me, including the two below, but I hadn't seen any of him....  But, we both felt so much so quick... we often joked about serendipity and falling in love at first type.  He showed up at the house with 3 red roses (I saved them and now they're in my Lane chest).  We hugged each other, touched each other's cheeks, looked into each other's eyes, and at the same time, said "I love you."  

(This is what Neal and I both looked like when we first met....(it's amazing what falling head over heals in love with an Italian man who can cook can do to ya'!)