Henderson residents Tom and Rebecca Fay talk about what makes a good love story

Inscribed inside Tom and Rebecca Fay's wedding rings is the word "Imzadi" -- a Betazodian word used in the "Star Trek" universe that means "first touched by love" or "soul mate ."

"We are both Trekkies," Rebecca said. "We are (science fiction) geeks in general."

The word wasn't chosen for their love of "Star Trek" but as a reminder that their love developed at first sight and that they are soul mates.

"We both left that night (when we first met) knowing we should have asked the other one out," said Tom, the executive director for Henderson Libraries . "I'm glad we got a second chance."

Their first encounter happened at a softball game when Rebecca, who works as foundation administrator of the Henderson Business Resource Center, noticed Tom's legs.

"They were shaved," Rebecca said. "I didn't know at the time he was a body builder and they shave their legs."

Rebecca approached Tom to question him about her discovery. However, in their first conversation, Tom's legs never came up.

"I didn't discover this for years later," Tom said. "Now she likes to bring it up."

After the game, they went their separate ways but still thought about each other.

Rebecca called a mutual friend to ask which event Tom would be at next.

"I told him not to tell Tom I was asking about him," Rebecca said. "And of course the first thing he does when he hangs up with me is call Tom and says, 'Guess who was inquiring about you.' "

Tom didn't let the second chance slip away and asked Rebecca out at their next encounter.

Immediately, Tom, an introvert, was attracted to Rebecca's warm personality.

"She would start conversations with anybody and act like they had known each other for a thousand years," Tom said.

While dating, the couple embarked on many adventures, discovering common attributes and differences.

About six months into the relationship, Tom, a country boy, took Rebecca, a city girl at heart, camping in Ely .

"It was far away," Rebecca remembers. "And it was cold."

The couple started the adventure hiking through caverns. To ensure that they didn't get lost , Tom took out a knife and marked the walls.

However, Rebecca was not informed of his motives and was terrified to hear Tom dragging a switchblade along a wall behind her.

"I thought, 'This guy is going to take me back here and kill,' " Rebecca said.

Tom didn't discover her worries until years later.

"Makes me feel good," Tom joked.

The adventure took a turn that night when they heard gunshots before they went to sleep.

"I figured they were from herders who were trying to scare off a cat or something," Tom said.

Whatever that something was made its way to their tent during the night. Outside, Rebecca could hear sniffing, followed by the sound of something being dragged.

Tom, prepared with a firearm, fired a few shots to scare off whatever the creature was .

"We slept inside the truck that night," Tom said. "There was no getting her back into the tent. It was an interesting date in the first few months."

It didn't hinder the relationship.

"When I came out alive, I knew he was all right ," Rebecca said.

Exactly a year after they met, Tom proposed to Rebecca.

"I was nervous, as most guys are," Tom admitted . " It seemed like she took forever to say, 'Yes.' "

The Fays will mark 19 years together in October. Their love of serving the Henderson community, through work and volunteerism, has enhanced their relationship.

"We are secure in our relationship," Tom said. "We go to many events together and know we have a list of people we have to talk to. So we kiss at the door and say, 'I'll either see you at the (dinner) table or see you at the end of the night.' "

Giving back to the community has also turned into an anniversary tradition. They spend the day helping the community, whether it is a 5K run or a wine-tasting fundraiser.

"We always chose two or three organizations to volunteer with together," Rebecca said. "Tom came up with the idea."

However, for their 20th anniversary in 2013, the Fays are saving for a trip through Europe.

But celebrating love isn't reserved for anniversaries. The couple make a point to schedule date nights.

"You have to schedule date nights," Rebecca said. "It is highly important and recommended."

Along with their scheduled dates, both make sure to surprise each other, too.

Rebecca said her favorite and most romantic gift she received was shortly after the birth of their daughter Mary. Tom surprised her with a day trip to Seattle.

Tom has always been hard to surprise, Rebecca said, but she has managed to sneak a few romantic surprises for him .

His favorite was in 2011 when Rebecca told him that she was having a girls' night out.

"So I had the whole day planned with Mary ," Tom said.

About 20 minutes after Rebecca left for her girls' night out , Tom got a sheet of paper with instructions telling him someone was going to watch Mary and he was going to meet Rebecca at Lake Las Vegas for a romantic getaway.

Even though love is magical for the couple, they agreed it does take work.

Rebecca said it's a lot of compromise and communication.

"Our biggest success comes from talking to each other," Tom said.

Through years of communication, Rebecca has learned that when Tom comes home, he might need a few moments of alone time to recharge before coming downstairs and talking.

"But he has also learned what it takes to energize me," Rebecca said.

Rebecca said she could count on one hand the number of blowups they have had.

"I don't even remember what they were about," Rebecca said.

But both have learned how to say, 'I am sorry.'

"It is always important for both parties to apologize," Tom said.

The years haven't just turned the Fays into husband and wife.

"She is truly my best friend," Tom said.

And for Rebecca, Tom is a mentor and someone to look up, too.

"I know it sounds cheesy," Rebecca said. "But it's true. He is so smart and has been around the block a few times."

Rebecca said she can always bring her problems to Tom and he will offer her professional advice.

"It drives me nuts sometimes because he always has an answer," Rebecca said.

They have been able to learn from each other. But more so, both have learned the wonders of being able to come home to someone they love.

"Who wants to be alone?" Tom said. "It is nice to have someone to share your success and failures with. We all can be pretty guarded throughout the day. It is nice to come home and to be able to bring your guard down."

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.