Andrew Lothes, Heather Smyth


You may not believe in Cupid, but I used to dog-sit her. My cupid was a German Shephedr named Liebe, which is German for “love.” Liebe belonged to my co-worker’s stepson, Andrew, who was deployed in Iraq. While his parents were out of town, one weekend in January 2009, I house-sat for them and took care of Liebe.

On a cold night, I took Liebe out to play catch, then went back inside to put on a jacket. When I returned outside, Liebe wasn’t where I had left her. I called to her and walked around the corner of the house. There she was with Andrew, whom I’d never met before. He’d just arrived back home from Iraq. My first thought was how handsome he looked in uniform. We shyly introduced ourselves and went back into the house where we talked for a few minutes until he had to leave to meet up with his friends. I could definitely feel a spark between us and was disappointed he had to leave so soon. Not just for that night, but that he was only on a short leave and would have to go back to Iraq.

Unbeknownst to me, Andrew returned early to talk some more later that night, but Id already gone to bed. He left on an early morning flight the next day to meet up with his parents in Florida. While I was on the phone with my mother ranting about not meeting anyone I got a call from an unknown number. It was Andrew. When he had arrived in Miami, had had grabbed his mother’s phone and looked up my number. He called to ask me for a date while he was still on leave. I said “yes,” and we were inseparable for the whole time he was home. Then the tough part: Andrew had to go back to Iraq and I had a decision to make. I had fallen for him, but eight months is a long time. I’d heard that Iraq changes people. Would he be the same fun-loving person I’d met or would he be different? He was one of the most incredible guys I’d ever met. I had to give us a chance, even if that meant an uncertain future and a long-distance relationship and the very real danger of war.

We Skyped. We wrote love letters and emails. When he visited again, I know him even better and we are, again, inseparable. I knew this was something real. The months didn’t fly by, but we made it through winter, spring, and summer. Autumn meant he would be coming home to me for good.

We had a huge “Welcome Home” party for him and instead of being separated for months at a time, we could see each other every weekend as he traveled from his base in Kansas to Oklahoma City. Our weekends were full of college football and enjoying the simple pleasures we so often take for granted in America: great food and time with friends and family.

As we geared up for Thanksgiving, I had so much to be thankful for Andrew’s safe return and the coming holiday season. Our favorite college teams were playing each other that weekend, but Andrew “forgot” the tickets at his parent’s house so he needed to stop by and get them. As we pulled up into the driveway, we noticed Liebe was in the backyard. We went through the gate to greet her and I was surprised by the beautiful light – all the trees had been wrapped in white Christmas lights and around the corner, flickering candles cast a romantic glow around the swimming pool. Andrew asked if I wanted to see Liebe’s new collar. I scratched Liebe behind the ears and read the words on her collar, “Heather, will you marry me?”

Andrew was down on bended knee and pulled the ring out of his pocket. Bathed in the candlelight, Andrew asked me again. Unable to speak, I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him for the longest time. Finally, I was able to form the words. An absolute, “yes!”

As we walked inside, Andrew explained why he picked that spot for the proposal: it was where we first met and the reason why we met. Where Liebe, our German Shepherd cupid had brought us together.

Inside the house, more lit candles surrounded the room. We celebrated with two glasses of champagne and a chocolate cake surrounded by rose petals. Liebe curled up on the rug in the family room while we celebrated, completely unaware of our momentous occasion. Or was she? We will be married this April!