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In the late 1980's, the MJB's (Tom's social club) needed a female soccer player and Tom asked Kelly Gallagher, a fellow MJB volleyball player if she knew someone. She suggested her cousin, Terri Paddy, who was 19 at the time. She was a good soccer player and a good addition to the MJB soccer team. She played with the MJB's on and off throughout the next 10 years.
Terri had a young son, Jimmie, and she became separated. Shortly thereafter, Terri and Tom started dating. Considering Terri's strong need for stability and Tom's strong desire to be a Dad, Terri and Tom's relationship moved very quickly. Shortly after Tom purchased a new house in Ellicott City, they were dating steadily and he invited Terri and Jimmie to move in. At the time, Terri's finances were in shambles and so she took Tom up on his offer.
Jimmie (who now goes by the name Jim) chose to identify Tom as Dad, when he needed a father figure and as Mr. Tom, when he just needed a big brother to play with. Jim and Mr. Tom continue to place a great value on their relationship. Meanwhile, Terri and Tom seemed to have a lot in common and Jim, Terri, and Tom lived together as a family for 3 years before Terri and Tom chose to marry.
Looking back, the relationship between Terri and Tom was greatly enhanced by Jim's presence. Without that presence, it is doubtful that their marriage would have ever come about. After a year and a half, Terri and Tom came to the realization that their marriage was a mistake and decided it was best for them to divorce and return to being friends. Fortunately for Tom, Terri recognized that Tom had a positive impact on Jim and allowed Jim and Mr. Tom's relationship to continue.
The relationship between Jim and Mr. Tom has continued to grow.
Although they don't see each other every day anymore, Jim spends
every other weekend with Mr. Tom and his wife, Carol and Mr. Tom
visits Jim on the eastern shore one night a week.