by Linda L. Esterson; photography by Phil Grout
Melanie Williams & Mike Sutherland Residence: Sykesville Family: Tyler Sutherland, 17; Wyatt Williams, 14 Married: July 10, 2005 Site: White Hall Tavern Theme: Pirates Royale Business: Clipper Mill Auto Recent Event: Purchased a 10-acre farm in Taneytown to start a non-profit organic orchard. They are planning to supply excess produce to shelters and food banks.
Melanie Williams showed up at the Timonium Shell station nearly hysterical one afternoon in December 2004. Her Honda was in shambles, with the transmission nearly gone and an unhappy 18-month-old son in the backseat.
Out swaggered Mike Sutherland, who came to Melanie’s rescue in more ways than one. “I was in love from that minute,” says Melanie. “I was so mad because the last thing I wanted to do was fall in love.”
Mike fixed the car and sent Melanie on her way. She was back a few days later, with a boom box in tow for his workshop. She came back again with a Boston cream pie. A shy Mike was speechless, but the outgoing girl continued to charm, finally telling him she was leaving before she “did something stupid.” As he gazed at her, she kissed him and then asked if he wanted to take her out.
He asked, but she refused his first suggestion, saying she was busy; she didn’t want to seem too available.
Within five days, they had gone to a hibachi restaurant, Boordy Vineyards and a crab feast; within five days, they professed their mutual love.
A few weeks later, Mike called to see if Melanie’s best friend, Greg McMahon, was working that night. Greg was not only a close friend, but also her co-worker at Smyth Jewelers. Melanie had suspicions about what Mike might be shopping for, but she didn’t let on.
That evening, she says, was the most romantic ever in her life.
The pair snuggled on the couch, and Mike traced his hand down her shoulder. He told her he loved her, and he said she was going to marry him and that they were going to be together. He asked if she shared that vision of the future.
Melanie answered in the affirmative, three times over.
“I wasn’t surprised,” she says. “I wanted him to say it, I was thrilled that he said it. I was so happy that he chose me and he loved me the way I loved him.”
Then, Melanie says, she got mad.
“I was just out of a bad relationship, was divorced for 1½ years,” she says. “The last thing I wanted was to fall in love. I didn’t think, at age 40, I would find someone to spend the rest of my life with.”
But Melanie knew by the third date that they were fated to be together. That’s when Mike bought a car seat for his truck for her son, Wyatt, and bought a new one for her car as well.
One night, Melanie went out with friends after work to let off some steam. As the evening wore on, her girlfriends kept nudging her to go home. And once again, her suspicions were aroused.
When she got home, she found Mike – with a ring – jumping up and down on their bed.
“So do you want to see it?” he asked.
“No,” she answered. “Why do you want to marry me and what are your plans for Wyatt?”
“Because I love you and want to take care of and protect you and Wyatt,” he answered. “I want to make you as happy as you make me.”
Melanie Williams and Mike Sutherland married on July 10, 2005.
