A Loving Road to Marriage
by Robert Mitchell
Love is a journey worth celebrating for Salvation Army employees Dennis and Wendy Ross.
The Rosses, who began dating in 2014 after working together for several years at another nonprofit, married in July 2024. Today, they work 30 feet apart in the Development Department at The Salvation Army’s Western Pennsylvania Divisional Headquarters in Pittsburgh.
Majors Gregory and Joyce Hartshorn, the divisional commanders in Western Pennsylvania, mentored the couple, conducted counseling sessions, and officiated the wedding ceremony.
“Our wedding fell almost exactly on the 10-year anniversary of when we started dating,” Dennis said of the blessed day.
The path to the altar was a winding one, carefully thought out, and pondered by the couple.
The Rosses met back in 2010 when both were directors at a nonprofit that helps adults with disabilities; Dennis handled supported employment, while Wendy led programming.
Colleagues and friends
The couple worked together for four years prior to dating.
“We worked well together and had a really good connection but that was all it was at that time,” Wendy explained. “We were a good team that had potential to be more possibly in the future. Our focus at that time was on our careers.”
Dennis agreed and admitted there was an attraction.
“We knew there was a little bit of a spark there, but we were both directors at that job, so we didn’t want to muddy the waters,” he said. “We enjoyed working together. We weren’t sure how professional it would be to pursue a relationship.”
Wendy left that position and began working at The Salvation Army. Wendy said despite her busy life and independent spirit, “Dennis was wooing me” and she eventually softened.
“We’re both very independent,” Wendy said. “We had our own houses, and we had our own things going on, but we had fun when we were together.”
Wendy came to The Salvation Army in 2016 as director of government and foundation relations. The couple then had the opportunity to build their lives together outside of work.
Dennis worked in sales after leaving the nonprofit but saw a job opening at The Salvation Army in 2021 for a donor relations specialist.
Dennis wanted to get the job on his own, and Wendy vowed not to wield any influence. “She definitely gave me a good recommendation, but I did all the digging on my own,” he said.
When he got the job, Wendy said, she realized how much she had missed working with Dennis. The couple drive to work and eat lunch together, but their job duties do not overlap. They are both Christians and volunteer for events like project Bundle-Up, a major initiative in the division that provides new winter outerwear, along with the annual Angel Tree program and various community fundraisers throughout the year.
Mentoring and advice
Dennis and Wendy said Majors Hartshorn were a “blessing” to their nuptials.
“They were just so fantastic to work with,” Dennis said. “They were very calm and comforting and easy to talk to. It was just a great experience.”
Wendy described the majors as kind, thoughtful, and good listeners who were open to a nontraditional element of the service—something known as a “ring-warming,” where the wedding rings pass among family members who say a blessing.
Majors Hartshorn, who are retiring soon, had a love story of their own to share. Major Greg, before becoming an officer, was a local businessman, who happened to volunteer at The Salvation Army one Christmas. He met a caseworker named Joyce, a generational Salvationist, and the couple fell in love and have served together for 30 years.
“They’re such great people,” Wendy said. “I like the way they interact both as leaders in faith and as husband and wife. They walked alongside us on this journey. It was so easy to talk to them. There was no judgment of any kind.”
Enjoying the big day
The rehearsal dinner was held at The Salvation Army’s Pittsburgh Temple. The wedding was at Bella Sera, a popular Pittsburgh wedding venue, with most of the couple’s Salvation Army work friends in attendance. The wedding planning turned into a true team effort, and the excitement leading up to the big day could be felt throughout the department.
“They are more than just our colleagues. They are family,” Wendy said. “From dress shopping, making centerpieces, assembling goody bags, baking cookies for the cookie table (a Pittsburgh wedding staple), to hosting my bridal shower. They did so much. But, most importantly, we felt all the love they gave us on this journey.”
The timing of finding the perfect venue, along with the support they felt from The Salvation Army team, led to a truly wonderful wedding day.
“Our true foundation is based on our friendship, companionship, and our loyalty over the years,” Wendy said. “It truly felt meant to be. We are forever grateful to Majors Hartshorn and to our entire Salvation Army family for making us feel so loved.”
