The Heart of Tad and Dixie
Tad and Dixie fans everywhere depleted stocks of tissues when Dixie met her untimely demise (again) on ALL MY CHILDREN. While “Together Forever” was cut much too short for this supercouple, Tad (and fans) will always have the past. Take a stroll down memory lane with us as we recall the Top 10 moments between the lovebirds.
1. Facing the Music (Box)
You will be hard-pressed to find a Tad and Dixie fan who disagrees with this unforgettable day as the best of the best. In 1993, Tad’s memory returned and Dixie found herself face-to-face with her not-so-dead soul mate. As Tad recalled the watch Dixie had given him and the music box he gave her as a wedding present, fans could see hope restored to Dixie’s baby-blues. (Too bad she had just married Brian!)
2. Taking a Napa Together
Unfortunately, Brian wasn’t the only hurdle for the reunited ex-lovers. Dix dumped the young’un, but Tad soon married Brooke (who gave birth to his son while Tad was “dead”), despite being very much in love with Dixie. Ms. Cooney loved Tad too, but, of course, kept mum. (Communication problem, anyone?) Who knew all it took was one business trip to Napa, a little rain and a lot of tears for Dixie to finally admit her feelings. In return, Tad made love to his true love, and with that, an affair of the heart (ahem, and body) took flight.
3. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Slap
More like big slaps, actually. Marriage No. 2 ended after Tad had an affair with Liza, and Dixie fled to Pigeon Hollow with Junior. Two years later, Dix returned to Pine Valley, however both Tad and Dixie’s wounds were still fresh. After a romantic night of dancing the Twinkle Step in New York City, they both finally opened up about the hurt the other had caused. In some of the most powerful scenes Tad and Dixie ever had, the duo released their anger (in the form of three slaps heard ’round the world from Dix!) and finally forgave each other. Oh, the power of white terry cloth bathrobes — and true love.
4. Looney Toons
Who can forget the moment Tad and Dixie were literally torn from each other’s grasp? Tad clung to Dixie for dear life as his poor country bumpkin was being carted off to Laurel Hill thanks to her evil hubby, Adam Chandler. Truth be told, Dix wasn’t the least bit crazy, but thanks to Adam’s machinations, she thought she was losing it and a danger to her son. Thankfully, she had Tad in her corner. As soon as the P.I. discovered the truth, be broke Dix out of the insane asylum and the duo went on the run.
5. Forbidden Fruit
Enter the abandoned cabin and the moment Dixie realized she was in love with Tad. It wasn’t easy, but after Tad’s famous Love Test, the honey-haired beauty admitted her feelings to him (and herself). Their special brand of romance was palpable as Tad made it his mission to protect his woman — especially when he and Dixie fed each other pieces of fruit. Sweet and sexy (and sticky!) all at the same time.
6. A Kiss before Dying
Poor Dix! Even before the Satin Slayer she had a rough go at it. In 1998, she discovered she had a bad heart and was dying. To spare Tad any unnecessary grief, Dix kept mum about her disease. However, like all secrets in Pine Valley, Dixie’s health problems were revealed. Tad whisked her away to “their” hotel suite in New York City and pledged his love to her, no matter what. After she confessed she was indeed sick, Tad pulled out his Grandma Kate’s ring and asked his darling to be his once and future bride. She, of course, accepted. 
7. The Yarn Princess
Their first real kiss was classic Tad and Dixie: sweet, playful and kept viewers longing for much more. Even though Dixie was involved with Adam and pregnant with JR at the time, Tad fell head over heels in love with his best friend. And one night while “helping” her wind yarn, Tad couldn’t resist the gal from Pigeon Hollow any longer. Who knows if Dix ever finished what she was making, but for Tad and Dixie fans, that night of knitting created a tapestry of memories.
8. Supercouple Gone Wild
It was trouble with a capital T when look-alikes/pals/enemies Tad and Ted (only on a soap opera!) ventured out to the Canadian wilderness on a hunting expedition. Little did Tad know that Ted planned to hunt him. See, Ted loved Dixie, Dixie loved Tad, Tad was married to Brooke, and Brooke was clueless to the fact that Tad was sleeping with Dixie — but Ted was not. Get it? When Dix got wind of Ted’s master plot to get rid of the competition, she put on her best adventure hat and went after her man. They fought mountain lions, gunshot wounds, hypothermia, river rapids, broken ankles — and oh, yeah, psycho Ted — but in the end love prevailed. Not only did they survive, Tad decided to leave Brooke for good.
9. What a Load of Bull!
The thing that made Tad and Dixie so magical was their sparkling humor, and Michael E. Knight‘s and Cady McClain‘s ability to express it brilliantly. Case in point: when Tad and Dixie v.3.0 were lost in the country while on a mission to clear Ryan of rape. The scene of Tad getting “French-kissed” by a rather happy bull and Dixie having a hearty chuckle over it didn’t have any long-term impact on story, nut it illustrated the couple doing exactly what they do best — making each other and us laugh.
10. The Marrying Kind & The Honeymooners
This list just would not be complete without mentioning the weddings and honeymoons the duo shared: all three of them! While each nuptials holds its own special meaning and conjured joyful tears, the honeymoons provided the wicked entertainment. Nothing — not Nico, not twin beds, not air-conditioner woes — could dampen the spirits of these newlyweds.
Anyone looking to relive Tad and Dixie’s moments or find friends to mourn and reminisce with should check out www.tadndixie.com.
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