BY DON SCHELSKE
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Valentine’s Day provides the opportunity to reflect on memories of love’s first blossom. The effect of pulled heartstrings is a common one, regardless of a persons vocation or position in the community.
One example is Chuck and Dana Fortinberry. He is owner of Clarkston Chrysler Plymouth Jeep and was senior co-chairman of the North American International Auto Show. She serves as a judge in the 52nd District Court.
How did they get together?
‘I met her at the mailbox,? Chuck Fortinberry said. They were each living in a Bloomfield Hills residential complex with a cluster mailbox, and he had seen her on several occasions.
One day, when he noticed her at the mailbox, ‘I thought it would be a good time to get the mail.?
‘I was an innocent victim,? the now-Mrs. Fortinberry remembered. ‘He set it up.?
At the time, he was beginning a career with the Chrysler Corporation and she was beginning law school.
‘We dated on and off,? Dana Fortinberry said. ‘He kept asking me to marry him, [but] I really felt a need to focus and finish law school. I just wasn’t ready.?
Three years later, then ran into each other in a restaurant. She was then working in the county prosecutor’s office and he was considering the purchase of the Clarkston dealership.
That night, they had dinner together and he proposed.
‘I said yes right away,? she said. ‘I thought about him a lot. I knew he was a good guy and the kind of guy I would want to marry.?
Chuck Fortinberry bought his dealership in July 1985 and the couple married in August 1985.
‘It was kind of a quick progression of major changes in my life,? he said.
They’ve raised three boys and continue to love living in the Clarkston area.
‘I truly love my wife,? he said. ‘I couldn’t ask for a better partner in life.?
Steve Hyer and Kelly Arcello are still near the beginning of their love story.
Hyer is a local computer consultant who serves on the Clarkston Community Schools Board of Education and the board of directors of the Clarkston Chamber of Commerce. Arcello is recreation programmer for Independence Township Parks and Recreation.
They met while middle school students in Clarkston, and knew each other through high school. The romantic sparks didn’t light until their college years (he attended the University of Michigan while she went to Michigan State).
They started seeing each other as schedules allowed. On the day before Thanksgiving 2000, they ran into each other at Mr. B’s Roadhouse. Hyer invited Arcello to go to the Detroit Lions game the next day, but she declined.
‘It’s not that I didn’t want to go,? she said, but a family gathering was already planned. ‘I wanted to spend time with them.?
Hyer said Arcello sent an e-mail apology the next day, and the relationship grew from there.
Hyer’s proposal was unique. During a game night with parents and friends, Hyer rigged a ‘Taboo? game by pre-stacking a bunch of cards with marriage-related words.
‘I didn’t get it,? Arcello said, until after she drew the word ‘surprise? and Hyer presented the engagement ring. They plan to marry in October.
The couple already have a great story to pass along. They have two ‘first date? stories, and for once it’s not the man’s fault.
‘I have a terrible memory,? Arcello admitted, but they both have a sense of humor and can laugh about such foibles.
‘Kelly and I are complete opposites in a lot of ways,? Hyer said. ‘She’s outgoing and creative, and I’m more concrete and sequential.?
Nonetheless, she believes he has a good sense of humor and is willing to accommodate her ‘crazy life? which includes working on multiple holidays with parks and recreation activities.
‘He’s willing to be my permanent volunteer,? she said.
‘We both have an interest in the community,? Hyer said.