Tom Cawley and Linda Cullen (Christy Perry for The Cullman Tribune)
Updated 2-15-19 at 7:16 a.m.
BAILEYTON – The votes have been counted and Tom Cawley and Linda Cullen have been chosen by their peers as the 2019 King and Queen of Valentine’s Day in Baileyton. The Baileyton Senior Center has crowned a pair of seniors for the honor for the past 10 years.
Members of the senior center nominated candidates and voted by ballot to determine the finalists. The finalists included Cawley, Cullen, Earl Grimmett, Myra Martin, Bobby Martin, Janese Mead, Jerry Mead, Mary Drinkard, Jannette Morrow and Alden Burks. Each had an opportunity to address the crowd at the center Thursday. Then, the voting began resulting in Cawley and Cullen being announced as the winners.
Cawley shared, “It was exciting and a lot of fun. I have met some really great friends through the senior center.”
Cawley said his met Cullen, his life partner, when they were in second grade in Hobart, Indiana.
Smiled Cullen, “We were sweethearts and he even got me a ring.”
After getting root beers at the B&K, Cawley said, he "went across the street and spent a pocketful of nickels trying to get her a ring out of the machine. It was worth it. I was madly in love that year.”
Cawley and Cullen drifted apart and went on to live separate lives but reunited 12 years ago. They live in Joppa and have been attending events at the Baileyton Senior Center for four years.
Said Cullen of her sweetheart, “I’m going to keep him this time.”
The Baileyton seniors get together each Thursday for lunch, live music, karaoke, cards and fellowship at the Baileyton Senior Center. They have special events on Christmas, Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. The group also takes several day trips throughout the year. They have a really great time and invite other seniors to join them. (195 Fire Station Road, Baileyton, Alabama 35019)
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