Colleen was born to Ethan and Charlotte Cooper of Colorado Springs. She was the second of three children. Ethan left the family while the children were quite young, leaving Charlotte to raise Matthew, Colleen and Brian alone, which she did until her untimely death by rattlesnake bite. On her deathbed, Charlotte asked Dr. Michaela Quinn, newly arrived from Boston, to take care of her children. Although she was ill prepared for the task of sudden motherhood, Dr. Quinn accepted the challenge, later even going to court to legally adopt them. Their father won custody, however, Ethan and his wife turned Colleen and Brian over to Dr. Quinn and her husband Byron Sully, (Matthew was already of age) after determining that the children really would be better off staying in Colorado Springs.

Colleen grew up watching Michaela practice medicine, and developed a passion for the profession herself, eventually going to college with the goal of one day becoming a doctor. When Dr. Andrew Cook arrived in Colorado Springs to help Michaela with the birth of her baby, Colleen found a supportive friend who shared her interest in medicine. As time went by, Colleen and Andrew's friendship grew into a beautiful romance. They were married just as Colleen was to begin medical school.

It took some time for Colleen and Andrew to finally find the courage to tell each other how they felt. I think Colleen was just waiting for Andrew to tell her he loved her. He needed to take the lead, which was difficult for him. Once he did, their romance moved fairly quickly to the altar. Perhaps a little too quickly, by Michaela's standards, but I think Colleen and Andrew were ready. And I think this marriage will be a lasting one!



Photo courtesy HH

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