Engagement photo of Marc and Michelle.
Before they were husband and wife, Marc and Michelle Zohe had sparks fly between them at the fire station – and it wasn’t from a fire. Marc has been volunteering in the fire service for 15 years, 10 of those with Ringing Hill Fire Company. Since 2013, Michelle has been an auxiliary member at Ringing Hill and more actively involved the last four years.
Michelle attended Boyertown Area Senior High School and was a year ahead of Marc in school. She would see him riding his bike to school and throughout the day. “I always thought he was a cute guy, but was shy and never really talked to him in school.”
They officially met at Boyertown Friendship Hook and Ladder Company where the two would often be on Friday nights. Michelle’s dad was an active member and fire police captain, so she would tag along with him, and Marc was a firefighter there. They mostly stuck to shy “hi’s” and eventually broke the ice messaging on Facebook and then texting. The relationship progressed from there into long conversations and hang outs, and in 2009, Marc asked Michelle to officially be his girlfriend.
Marc and Michelle said “I do” on May 12, 2012, at Mountain View Chapel in Douglasville, with a fire house reception at Boyertown Friendship Hook and Ladder Company, where their relationship began. As another reminder of how they met, they took wedding photos in front of a fire engine from Boyertown Friendship Hook and Ladder. The flower girl and ring bearer, Marc’s cousin and nephew, rode in with Marc and Michelle on the fire truck and Ringing Hill’s Chief’s truck was also part of the wedding procession.
The happy couple says it’s not that different being together at home versus volunteering at the fire house. “We both joke that we are a pain in each other’s’ butts at the fire house or at home,” said Michelle.
Marc is currently the fire police lieutenant at Ringing Hill Fire Company. He assists the police in controlling traffic and closing roads, which helps protect his fellow firefighters and community members in emergency situations. “I love helping people and knowing that I’m helping make the scenes safe for first responders,” said Marc.
“Marc is very dedicated to what he does as a volunteer,” said Michelle, who is an auxiliary member and enjoys helping out at community events. “It’s a wonderful time volunteering with Marc and it also makes a stronger bond between us.”
Marc and Michelle Zohe with their wedding party at Boyertown Friendship Hook and Ladder Company.
Additionally, Michelle is a Board member and helps make decisions for Ringing Hill. “I like knowing that I’m helping to look out for the future of the fire company,” she said.
Marc and Michelle both say they have made many great friendships at the station and the volunteers are like a second family. “Being a member at Ringing Hill is like being in a large family where everyone looks out for each other,” said Marc.
Marc and Michelle reside in Lower Pottsgrove Township and are down the street from Ringing Hill Fire Company. “When we looked for houses, Marc wanted to be close to the fire company,” said Michelle. They also live with their six-year-old lab, Turbo, who loves to visit the station.
To learn more about volunteering at Ringing Hill Fire Company, visit JoinRingingHill.org.