Tara Davis-Woodhall captured the hearts of America at the 2024 Paris Olympics when she won the gold medal in the women’s long jump final. Davis-Woodhall was dubbed “America’s Cowgirl” and her celebration after winning the gold medal made her an internet sensation.
Her relationship with her husband, three-time Paralympic medalist Hunter Woodhall, made her story even more compelling.
Woodhall sent his wife a heartwarming message before the long jump final and was there when she won gold for the USA.
REGARD: Tara Davis-Woodhall’s crying husband after Olympic gold medal will make you cry
The two shared a beautiful and emotional hug that brought tears to Hunter and the world.
But how did the couple meet?
The Instagram account “The Way We Met” told the story of Tara Davis and Hunter Woodhall, who met at a track meet in Idaho during their senior year of high school. It was love at first sight and Hunter texted a friend, “This is the girl I’m going to marry.”
Then it was a perfectly timed direct message that took things to the next level: The couple began a long-distance relationship before he finally proposed to her in September 2021 after the Tokyo Olympics.
“At the time, she didn’t know he had no legs because he was wearing sweatpants. Hunter was diagnosed with fibular hemimelia at birth and his parents chose to amputate his legs when he was 11 months old. Although he initially wore prosthetic legs, he later switched to blades so he could walk. Tara said she stared at him for a while and then realized she was acting clumsy. Hunter said he watched Tara hurdle that day and then turned to his friend and said, ‘Damn, that girl is great. I’m going to marry that girl.’ Hunter even sent a text message to his best friend Tucker saying, ‘That’s the girl I’m going to marry.’ The next day, Tara watched Hunter run the 400-meter race. When he finished the race (he won), Tara went up to Hunter and said, “I just need a hug,” and hugged him while Hunter was still catching his breath after the race. Hunter then went up to his best friend Tucker and said, “Dude, Tara Davis just came up to me and gave me a hug.”
“Later, during the awards ceremony, Hunter got his medal for the 400m and Tara got her medals for the long jump and hurdles, and they chatted a bit. After that, they both returned to their hometowns. Tara made the first move (a second time) when she followed Hunter on Instagram, and when he followed her back, she sent him a direct message and said, ‘After your bedtime!’ Hunter replied, ‘I’ve been waiting for that direct message, sorry.’ And the rest is history!
“The couple began their long-distance relationship. Hunter proposed to Tara in September 2021, shortly after the Tokyo Olympics ended. The couple married in October 2022 in McKinney, Texas. Now Paralympic sprinter Hunter and long jumper Tara are competing in their first Olympic Games in Paris as a married couple – and supporting each other every step of the way.”
This should be a lesson for both men and women: never be afraid to try your luck.
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