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2 years and 11 months. 35 months. That's how long Craig and I have been together already. It seems like we just found each other, but here we are nearly 3 years into it, and engaged, ready to start our life together. It's amazing to me that I could ever have someone so wonderful in my life. He's changed me in so many ways, helped me get over the past. Helped me realize I was still living in the past to begin with. I can only look to the future now, and live for the present. I wouldn't change a thing from the past, but it's all over now so it doesn't even really matter.
I can't wait for February. When we finally say "I do"... when we finally let everyone know how much we love each other, when we pledge ourselves in front of family and friends to only each other for the rest of our lives... for eternity, really. I can't imagine being without you, even after our time here is over.
I love you, Craig.

http://www.bnd.com/homepage/story/171432.html

Student gets detention for giving 'hug goodbye'
Mascoutah Middle School student Megan Coulter, center, is surrounded by her family, from left, Melissa, Dean and Baylee Coulter.
Mascoutah Middle School student Megan Coulter, center, is surrounded by her family, from left, Melissa, Dean and Baylee Coulter.

Parents to ask school board to change rule
BY RICKEENA J. RICHARDS
News-Democrat

MASCOUTAH --
Eighth-grader Megan Coulter said she never thought she could get in trouble for hugging.

The Mascoutah Middle School student said she couldn't believe it when Assistant Principal Randy Blakely approached her after school Friday with a two-day detention sentence for hugging two of her friends.

"I feel it is crazy," she said. "I was just giving them a hug goodbye for the weekend."

Superintendent Sam McGowen said he thinks the penalty is fair. He said Blakely and Principal Bob Stone were following the policy contained in the student handbook, which every student owns, every parent has read and the board of education approved.

"The principal and assistant principal who handled this were following the policy set out in the handbook," he said.

Megan's mother, Melissa Coulter, said she can't believe it.

"It's hilarious to the point of ridicule," Coulter said. "I'm still dumbfounded that she's having to do this."

Megan served her first after-school detention Monday and she will serve her second detention after school today -- one for each hug.

Coulter said her initial response was that her daughter must have done more than hug her friends to deserve detention. She said they weren't even full-on hugs, just an innocent arm around the shoulder and slight squeeze.

"Nobody can believe it," she said.

Coulter said she spoke with McGowen and Blakely about the incident and they both justified Megan's detention sentence by referring to the student handbook, which states:

"Displays of affection should not occur on the school campus at any time. It is in poor taste, reflects poor judgment, and brings discredit to the school and to the persons involved. First offenders will be warned. Second offenders will serve detention and a parent conference will be held. Third offenders will serve in-school suspension."

Coulter said Megan was considered a "second offender" because she gave two hugs.

Coulter said she and her husband Dean wanted to contest Megan's penalty, but told her to go ahead and serve her detentions because the only other option was a day of suspension for each skipped detention.

"We don't agree with it, but I certainly don't want her to get in more trouble," Coulter said.

Instead, she said they plan to attend the next school board meeting Nov. 15 to see whether board members will consider rewording the policy or be more specific in what it considers a display of affection.

Megan said she's hoping the board reconsiders the policy.

"I'm just hoping the school board will open their eyes and just realize that maybe they shouldn't be punishing us for hugs."


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