Happy Valentines Day! In celebration of what is known as the most romantic day of the year, we have a special FDNY story for you today. This one is about that old school love. That love that makes you smile every time you see it. Meet Annual Medical Coordinator Wadell English and his wife Onsite Schedule Coordinator Teresa English. Their love story begins almost 45 years ago when young Wadell was waiting for a ride to his College of Staten Island class on the corner of Marcy and Fulton avenues in Brooklyn.
“Teresa walked by and I said hello and she smiled at me and the rest was history,” he recalled. “We started a conversation and every few days after that I would see her at the same spot while I was waiting, and we would talk and then we started dating.”
“I was having such a horrible morning that day, I was rushing to school and he just walked up to me and said hello. It sounded so friendly to me and when he said hello in such a kind way, all of my frustrations at that moment just went away,” she added. “He’s been polite and kind to me like that ever since.”
Wadell and Teresa English met and fell in love nearly 45 years ago. They have been married now for 37 years.
The two married several years later in 1984 and have been living their best life together ever since. They are also the proud parents of four children, Candice, Brandice, Saundra and Wadelle, Jr. Join us below in learning more about #TeamEnglish.
Join FDNY: How is it working in the same place as your spouse?
Wadell English: It’s pretty cool. We get to steal hugs every now and then.
Teresa English: Wonderful! It is sometimes needed to have to reach out to him for special moments or lifting spirits, but I mostly enjoy supporting him with certain activities that he’s involved in to help the Department. We love working here.
Join FDNY: Balancing work and family life can be challenging. Tell us how you two make it work?
WE: You have to realize that you can’t make things happen together without putting in the work.
TE: We communicate and work at everything we do together with blood, sweat and some tears, but mostly with love.
Join FDNY: What’s the key to longevity in your marriage?
WE: Faith, love and compromise. I love my wife.
TE: Faith, hope, charity and a great deal of love and communication. He’s my life.
