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This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

F and M met while both were stationed at Keesler Air Force base in Biloxi, Mississippi. Their brief relationship temporarily ended just a few weeks before M married her 'high school sweetheart,' Jason Singleton, that August. M and F then renewed their romance. M discovered that she was pregnant and received an honorable discharge from the Air Force. She then moved in with F in January of 1997. Darby Colleen Blevins was born July 19, 1997. M's divorce from Jason was finalized. M and F lived together. M decided to reenlist in the Air Force. Because the Air Force prohibits custodial single parents from enlisting, M executed a 'Order Approving Custody of Child' granting custody of Darby to F. M and F agree that they intended the change of custody to be a temporary arrangement. The relationship ended. Before leaving for her new assignment at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, M expressed her desire to take Darby with her since M had successfully attained 'permanent party' status. F refused. M filed her Complaint in the Chancery Court for Change in Custody and Other Relief in the hope of regaining custody of Darby. M met Anthony Funsch, whom she later married prior to the custody hearing. Joint legal custody of Darby was awarded to both parties with paramount care, custody and control of Darby awarded to M. F appealed.

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