Coon Dog Day sparks marriage proposal

Published 10:00 pm Friday, July 24, 2015

Saluda’s 52nd annual Coon Dog Day was filled with music, crafts, food and this year, a marriage proposal.

 Nathan Fugate of Hendersonville, son of Grace and the late O’Dell Fugate, thought he had a marriage proposal planned for Chimney Rock Park, but excitement got the best of him.

 Jessica Morgan, of Saluda, daughter of Ralph and Carolyn Morgan, had no idea her soon to be fiancé would take the stage during the festival and ask her to be his wife.

 The two attended high school together and reconnected 17 years later through Facebook.  Bonding over common interests, Nathan began helping Jessica with yard work in exchange for dinner. The two went in groups to movies, concerts and out to eat as friends.

 “I fought falling for him for close to a year, but he was determined to make me his forever,” said Jessica.

 Nathan and Jessica were helping her uncle, Leon Morgan, owner of MA Pace & Somewhere In Time in Saluda sell t-shirts when they took a break to visit some friends who were attending the festival.

 After expressing his anticipation and friend’s encouragement, Nathan changed the venue with the help of Jessica’s aunt and Coon Dog Day board member Tangie Morgan.

 “Her big blue eyes started to well with tears as did mine, I knelt to one knee and asked her to be my forever,” said Nathan. “I cannot wait to grow old with her and make a lifetime of memories with her together.”

 Instead of her soul mate, Jessica calls Nathan her “dork mate.”

 “I’m just so thankful he was persistent and determined to win my heart,” said Jessica.

 The couple has plans to have their wedding in September 2016.