Love Multiplied: Two families come together — Twice

In the small town of Newcastle, it is not unusual for high school sweethearts to build a life close to home. But for two sisters and two brothers, their love stories have intertwined in a way that has neighbors smiling — and sometimes doing a double take.

Mercedes Voelker and Slade Roberson, both graduates of Newcastle High School, will marry this summer, at The Barn at Aspen Acres in Spearfish. The venue will look familiar to guests: Mercedes’ older sister, Lexus Engle, married Trenton Engle there last July. The couples are even using the same florist.

For Mercedes and Slade, the story began years ago in the halls of their high school.

“We have always known each other,” Mercedes said. “I can’t put a date on it.”

The initial gesture came during a basketball game, when Mercedes — a starter — tossed Slade a souvenir ball before tipoff to ask him to prom.

“She totally already liked me,” Slade said.

They attended prom together that year, and the relationship only deepened from there.

When asked when he knew Mercedes was the one, Slade didn’t hesitate.

“My mom asked me in my senior year of high school if Mercedes was someone I wanted to marry,” he said. “I just love her, what’s not to love.” 

Mercedes had the same feelings early on and was never the type to date casually.

“I feel like I always knew,” she said. “I didn't want to date some that I couldn't see myself marrying.”

While their own relationship was unfolding, another love story was quietly building between Mercedes’ sister and Slade’s stepbrother.

Lexus said her relationship with Trenton was “kind of complicated” at first.

“They were always bothering me about it, especially Slade,” she said.

“I was all for it from the get go,” Trenton said. “Even my mom would say stuff to Lex. We just had to get Lex on the same page.”

“He was crushing on her for two years,” Slade added. “Everyone was in Trenton’s ear.”

Mercedes agreed: “Everyone was rooting for Trenton.”

Lexus and Trenton began dating in August and were engaged by December. At the time, Lexus was living in Iowa.

“I was unsure about all of it at first,” Lexus said.  “He came and drove down to Iowa the first week after I moved there, I had never had someone be all about me”

Trenton said his intentions were clear long before the couple made it official.

“I probably would have proposed before we started dating if I knew she would have said yes,” he said. “I told quite a few people, told both of her parents. Way before we even started dating I told her mom I was going to marry her daughter.”

Donna Voelker remembers that conversation well.

“He told me two years ago, ‘I am going to marry your daughter,’” she confirmed.

Watching both daughters find love — though not at exactly the same time — has been a joy, she said.

“It makes my heart happy, they were best friends as sisters. They are even closer now, I think.”

When the girls were younger they shared a bedroom, and when they got to high school they shared activities — such as basketball.

“Mercedes always looked up to Lexus,” Donna said. “They would tell each other everything.”

As adults, that closeness has only grown.

“I don't know. How do you get any closer?” Lexus said.

For the couples, double dates feel less like outings and more like family time.

“I feel like once they were official, it was like hanging out with my best friend and brother-in-law,” Mercedes said. “I had never seen Lexus so touchy or lovey, with Trent it was a whole new relationship.”

“You see those couples that have been friends with another couple for so long, it feels like we are already 10 years married,” Slade said. “We all know each other so well.”

There are also humorous moments that come with the relationships.

“When you bring it up to anyone that doesn't know us,” Mercedes said.

“They get a little shook,” Slade added.

Lexus said confusion is common.

“People always say stuff to us,” she said. “They get confused a lot. People don't understand the dynamic.”

Despite the occasional mix-up, the couples say the benefits far outweigh any awkwardness.

“At any family function, my best friend is always going to be there,” Slade said. “Anything we do, I am glad I have an in-law I enjoy.”

“We get to see each other all the time,” Lexus said. “Leave our parents just to go to his family and we still just get to hangout.”

“Slade is my best friend anyway,” Trenton said. “Just the ease of it is nice.”

Family gatherings can be busy, especially around the holidays. With both families living in Newcastle, it can be difficult to balance time spent with each family.

“That is very chaotic,” Trenton said of holidays. “It is so worth it. Everything revolves around family, and all of our families get along. It is just simple.”

Both couples say putting down roots in Wyoming feels natural.

“Definitely in Newcastle,” Trenton said of raising a family. “All of my family is here. It takes out any burdens; we will always have help.”

Slade said he and Mercedes have discussed Newcastle or Laramie for the future.

“Want to end up back in that area,” he said. “It is hard not to go back.”

For Donna, seeing her daughters not only gain husbands but remain side by side is a blessing.

“It is cool and exciting,” she said. “They are both happy in that family.”

As for marriage advice, Donna keeps it simple.

“Make sure you let each other know what bothers you. Talk to each other about it, don’t let it fester. Confide in each other,” she said. “My advice to them would be to love, respect, show affection, listen to each other and compliment each other. Please make sure you do things together. Always let each know where you are at, and what you are doing. And please, please don't go to bed mad! I think that would make a marriage last forever!”

She has truly enjoyed getting to watch both of her daughters fall in love with the boys who have always lived up the road.

“As I think about Lexus and Mercedes and see how happy they are, it makes my heart happy. Let's just say they both got the man of their dreams, and I couldn't ask for better men to marry my daughters! They are pretty lucky girls. The love Trenton and Slade have for my daughters is just so amazing!” she said.