Eventually, Tad saved her, and they fell in love and got married.
However, it wasn’t smooth sailing from there.
Dixie’s family didn’t approve of Tad, whom they thought was a cheating ladies' man.
Her family members paid a woman to lie about sleeping with Tad.
When Dixie heard that and believed it, she separated from Tad, craving distance.
Their love was too strong to be pushed aside just yet, though.
Tad and Dixie couldn’t stay away from each other.
Dixie was kidnapped by Billy Clyde Tuggle (Matthew Cowles) who intended to marry her.
Tad rescued her once again, and they planned to remarry upon reuniting.
But their happily-ever-after was not meant to be.
Even though Billy’s body was the only one that was recovered, Tad was presumed dead.
Brooke was able to jog his memory and Tad returned to his old self.
Sadly, Tad was left heartbroken again after Dixie stood him up.
Little did he know, but there was a very good reason as to why she didn’t show.
Tad showed up on time, ready to make a fresh start, but Dixie never came.
Dixie was sick with kidney failure and ended up in the hospital.
She didn’t tell Tad for fear of worrying him, but she soon got better.
However, when her kidneys started healing, she was diagnosed with a heart condition.
He proposed, and she said yes.
Dixie soon got pregnant and despite the risks to her health, she kept the baby.
Tad begrudgingly accepted her decision, but Dixie miscarried soon after.
David developed feelings for Dixie and plotted to break up Dixie and Tad.
Involving Leslie backfired, though; instead of getting back at David, she attempted to kill Tad.
When Tad found out that Dixie was alive and Di had known, he broke it off.
Dixie did return to town, but Tad was upset that she had given up their daughter for adoption.
Years later, she was found alive in a mental institution, with no memory or ability to speak.
Dixie was able to escape and she found Tad, whom she remembered from her old life.
She was working at the hospital as a counselor, and Tad was out of town constantly.
The distance was putting a strain on their relationship, as Dixie was having a hard time contacting him.
