Youngsville couple meets, marries at McDonald's

Harold Strother, 65, and Peggy Killian, 60, exchanged vows Thursday afternoon in front of family, friends and McDonald's characters Grimace, Hamburlgar and Birdie.

Strother, who was married to his high school sweetheart for 45 years and lost her to cancer in 2011, said he credits God for his new relationship.

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“I think the good Lord put us together,” he said.

“It was divine intervention. God spoke to us when we least expected it,” Killian added.

The restaurant, at 1110 U.S. Highway 1, is a special place for the couple. It was where they first met late last summer while playing Bingo and where Strother asked Killian a very important question this past fall. 

"This is where I asked her to marry me. This is where I gave her the ring," he said.

"I said, 'Wouldn't it be fun if we got married here?'" Killian said.

Pam Hutcheson, who owns the McDonald's, said she and her employees were thrilled to host the couple's wedding. One employee made the wedding cake and another decorated the restaurant, which continued serving customers throughout the wedding ceremony.

"Their hearts fell in love here," Hutcheson said. "It's like a love story you read about ... they're just beautiful people."

The couple, who loves to fish, garden, camp, listen to Bluegrass music and watch Nascar, said they plan to honeymoon in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

For those still looking for love this Valentine's Day, the couple offers this advice: "Pray about it, and let the good Lord lead you where He will," Strother said. "He's the key to everything."