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__________________________________________________________ So there are two questions that we keep hearing a lot… 1. How did you meet? And 2. How did you get engaged? Want the quick answers? We met through our mutual friends Steve and Sarah Perkins and we got engaged in Stillwater on April 22nd. There you go, now you know. It seems though some people want the LONG version… The whole sordid tale… Well, you’re lucky. We feel like indulging you! And besides, it’s easier this way than telling it over and over… Plus we always leave things out when we tell it in person… So here goes. We will tell it in the perspective of a “fly on the wall” if that makes sense, because it’s about both of us!
Later
that evening Greg was scheduled to give announcements at Sunday evening
worship. Steve popped into his office and said he needed to talk to him.
Greg was taken aback and worried, Steve seemed funny for some reason…
Instead of changing announcements or giving an update, Steve asked one
simple question. “What did you think of Jessica?” Greg was puzzled.
“She was nice. It’s
always cool to meet someone who has been in youth ministry for that
long!” Steve smiled, and continued to explain what he really was
asking. Greg explained how he thought she was married or a mom but then
realized it was Steve and Sarah’s baby carrier she had been holding!
It all clicked. It was a setup! Steve pressed and even though Greg
really hadn’t dated or been the kind to call or email someone in this
way, he actually considered what Steve had to say. But falling into his
normal routine, Greg said he’d think about it and Steve left. That
left an interesting night of thinking for Greg. He had really noticed
Jess. He knew he found her attractive or he wouldn’t have been scoping
out that ring finger! He knew she was a Christian, a woman of integrity,
and smart… He knew she wasn’t a kook since she was long time friends
of the Perkins… But he still did not ask Steve for her contact info. The
next morning Sarah came by Greg’s office to talk about the girls
lock-in. The whole meeting Greg was wondering when she would ask about
Jess… And if she knew Steve had mentioned it last night. She did not
during the whole meeting! However, as she got up to leave, she said
“Oh, I was supposed to check with you about what Steve talked to you
about last night!” Greg turned bright red. He knew his normal response
would be to just brush it off and guffaw his way out of following up…
But something seemed different. Through babbling and blubbering he asked
Sarah for Jess’s email address. As
for Jess’ Monday, she ended up going home from work a bit under the
weather. A nasty cold had
struck and she was going to pop a movie in and eat some vegetable soup,
since she didn’t have any chicken noodle (and didn’t want to go out
in the bitter cold to get any!). She
wondered if Steve and Sarah had made any progress in their matchmaking
endeavors. Huh.
Funny, people always had told Jess that they were going to set
her up with someone, and now, an attempt was being made!
The day went on… Jess sat at home watching dumb movies and
wondering if she would hear anything… Greg sat at his computer. His heart was pounding out of his chest. How do you say hi to a stranger via email? He wanted to flatter and not sound like a “buddy” but not overdo it. Then he decided to just be himself. Not try anything silly or smooth. This is the email he sent: “Hello, What do I write? I don't know. I think I could start by telling you something funny. Steve Perkins came into my office yesterday before Wellspring worship and had this serious look on his face. I was actually worried! But then shortly after he sat down, I found out he was not there to tell me some late breaking news for worship, or some kind of thing I had to say during my announcements... But he just mentioned something about you being a nice person who was single or something something... And that was a nice surprise! So I told him thanks for the info... And that I'd talk to him later about it... Then Sarah came here to meet with me this morning about the high-school retreat I asked her to help with.. And she's getting up to leave and said that she was supposed to "check" on me for Steve. I just started laughing. I asked her for your email address so that I could send you an email (obviously) and say hi. So... Hi. :) You sound like a cool person who I'd like to get to know... It was nice to meet you yesterday. Maybe we can chat a little via email or phone or get coffee sometime? Whatever you're comfortable with. I mean hey, how can you pass up a chance to talk to a pretty, single, Christian woman who lives in Minnesota??? :) Sarah mentioned you work at Faith Inkubators & teach Viola lessons. That's pretty cool... And I think I remember that you said you did Jr. High ministry for 7 years before that? Where was that? I bet you had some pretty fun times, 7 years is a pretty amazing stint in youth ministry! So yeah, is this the part where I tell you that I like star-gazing, walks in the park and ferrets? See, told you, I don't really know what to write... :) I guess, if you want, just tell me a bit about yourself! God bless, -Greg Harris” Then
shortly after the send button was pressed an email arrived in Jess’
inbox. She opened it in between her time of answering the phone and
vacuuming box elder bugs at work. (Although this activity was very
commonplace during the winter and spring months where Jess works, you
may recall that she was home sick on this particular afternoon.
But the box elders hold some special memories for Jess and Greg,
so we’ll just leave that part in for posterity’s sake!) Jess
was surprised to see an email from Greg.
She wasn’t sure what had transpired, but she would soon find
out! She read the email
from Greg and then typed a reply message and sent it to Greg
(after she called Sarah to let her know that she had received an
email!). It said: I would love to do any of the three: email (which you have), phone (I'll throw that out there: 651-555-5555), and coffee (are you a Starbucks fan or a Caribou guy - or do you prefer local places?). So, I guess I'm tossing this one back to you! So you know, I wouldn't pass any of those things up with a single, good-looking, youth ministry kind of guy like yourself :) Tell me, do you really like star-gazing and walks in the park (and ferrets)? Interesting combination of things there . . . you'll have to fill me in a bit more about you when we connect again. :) I look forward to hearing from you, Greg! Peace to you, Jess ” And with that exchange it had begun. Greg and Jess talked that evening and then set a time to get together for coffee (even though Greg does not drink coffee, he does enjoy the atmosphere and aroma of coffee shops, as long as they have diet coke with lime or water) or perhaps a late dinner the next weekend. They planned to get together the following Sunday. As the week progressed however, they logged countless hours on the phone and decided that it would be prudent to have a date much sooner! They met in Roseville and went to Kahn’s Mongolian Barbeque for dinner. Jess had been getting over a cold, so instead of flowers Greg brought her a can of chicken soup with a big ribbon on it. She thought this was the most unique first date gift ever! Who was this guy, anyway? He was quite sweet and thoughtful, and she wanted to get to know him more! Then after dinner they went and played some indoor minigolf at Lava Links. After the round of golf they stopped by the arcade… What luck! Alpine Racer was there! Jess happens to love the ski games with actual skis and poles! Greg thought she was adorable with all the exuberance she put into her skiing! After that, it was getting later but they still wanted time to chat! So, they headed over to Ruby Tuesday at the Roseville Mall and talked over a glass of wine until well past midnight. They decided it really did have to end, Sunday mornings come very quickly for Greg. They went back to the parking lot where Greg’s car was and ended up talking some more as his Saturn warmed up. Then Greg was debating whether or not to try and hug Jess over the center console of her car (very awkward) she said, “I have to get out and give you a hug!” It was a wonderful hug. And a perfect end to a perfect first date. The
Engagement It started with lunch. Greg called and planned to meet with Jess’s parents to ask for their blessings, and also, to incorporate them in the plan of proposing. Greg had the ring (he picked one that looked like flowers, knowing Jess’ love of daisies), some flowers, scripture verses, and a poem ready. He arrived at Dick and Jackie’s house for lunch. Jess had found out about this meeting and Greg brushed it off as “just wanting to get to know her parents better.” She was slightly suspicious but figured he was doing something really nice! Jess called her sister and let her know that Greg was taking their parents out to eat. Tam (Jess’ sister) said, “You don’t think you’re going to be proposed to tonight, do you?” To which Jess replied, “Oh, I don’t think so. It’s pretty early, don’t you think?” Tam wasn’t sure she agreed with her older sister, but she let it go. Lunch was had at Joseph’s, a fine Stillwater eatery. Greg felt nervous (obviously!) but did not mention anything during the entire lunch. When they arrived back at the Ulrich home, Greg asked to go inside and use the bathroom. He came out and Dick had run outside to talk to a neighbor (this is not an uncommon occurrence). Greg decided it was now or never. Jackie was outside on the front step getting some fresh air. Greg walked outside and told her that he had a gift he wanted to give Jess, but needed help. He needed to have their blessing in order to give it to her. A look of expectant surprise (whatever that means) was on her face and eyes. Dick came back about that time and Greg told him the same thing. They all went inside Greg told them about how Jess meant the world to him, and that she had been his first kiss and he wanted her to be his last kiss on this planet. They were receptive and Greg gave the instructions of the evenings plan. Greg asked them to bring over the roses and read scripture at Jess’s apartment at 7pm. They agreed. That evening Greg and Jess cooked dinner and for some reason Greg really tried to speed it along. Jess couldn’t figure out why Greg was acting a little bit odd, but she brushed it off. (It will go down in history as Jess’ densest day of her life – she didn’t pick up on anything at all. Read on… ) The two had planned to see a friend of Jess play in a concert so it wasn’t too out of the ordinary that Greg tried to get the meal moving. Yet, at the same time that Greg was speeding the meal along, he suggested they sit on the couch and talk for a while before departing for Minneapolis. Jess told Greg how her sister thought Greg was going to propose to Jess that evening. Greg laughed and mentioned how he was looking at rings (they had taken a look at some at a mall the week before and had talked about engagement) and he hoped to buy one soon. Yes, this was a lie, but a really, really tiny forgivable one! Greg also said, “I just took your mom and dad out for lunch. Don’t you think it would be just a bit predictable if I proposed to you tonight?” Jess agreed and bought it – hook, line and sinker. Right at 7pm, a knock came at the door. It was Dick and Jackie. Jess had a surprised look on her face. Jackie said, “We were just out for a drive and saw you two were here, so we thought we’d stop in and say hi!” Jess was confused – Dick and Jackie never “just stopped in” at Jess’ place. “They must have really liked their time with Greg today,” Jess thought. Dick and Jackie were holding orange roses. At that moment she was still unassuming and unaware. She thought that perhaps they were a gift for Greg! That they had such a nice lunch with him, they wanted to bring him some flowers! Of course this was not the case. Greg told Jess she should probably sit down. She did, but was still confused and unassuming. (See? Pretty dense, Jess was, however Greg would say cute!) Greg asked for the scripture to be read. Jackie read Psalm 37:3 & 4: “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” She then handed Jess one of the roses. Dick read Psalm 37:5&6: “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” He then handed her a rose. (Note: Jess still has no idea what is happening!) Then Greg read part of the song “Real Life Fairytale” by Plumb. It is a favorite song of Greg and Jess and seemed to be about them! Greg had amended it to include some words he wanted to share. He read the following to Jess: “When my world Starts to cave in You jump inside And take my hand No matter where You are there
You are my light You are my star You are my sunshine And my dark You are the everything I dreamed about
You are the girl Who stole my heart You are the girl I’m always fighting for We have a love People dream about A real life fairytale
I thought that I Would be alone You caught my eye And I was home And I realized That this is love
I see the world through different eyes I look at you By my side Not matter where You're always there” Even after Greg had read that to Jess, she was not sure what was going on. (Still, no idea AT ALL! Was it shock?) He went on his knee and read this poem he had written and modified from the end of the song: “Dream with me Make me believe That this is a real life fairytale Take this ring and be my bride We’ll lay our fears of being alone by the wayside Together we’ve had our first kiss To have them ALL from you is my true wish You’ve captured my heart, I love you Jess My beautiful one and only, please say yes!”
Jess
said yes. He then took out the ring and placed it on her finger. They
hugged. One note, they had already eaten at Nelson’s ice cream once
(it had re-opened that very day) but decided to skip the concert, spend
time alone, and go eat more ice cream. It was a special day… Why not
have it twice, right? ;) So
that’s what really happened on April 22nd, 2006. There is
plenty more that we left out, so of course, anytime, please ask us and
we’ll try to talk to you about it… (Yeah right, we probably make
everyone sick with our lovey dovey gooey talk…). ;) God bless from
Jess & Greg! *© Note: This story is copyrighted and belongs to Jess & Greg! Not that anyone would try to steal it... :)
ORIGINAL WEBSITE PICTURES FROM APRIL, 2006: 4-22-06 was
apparently quite an epic day! It was: Grand
re-opening of Nelson's in Stillwater And the day of
our engagement! Here is Jess
with her ring on and some flowers:
you can email us at- jessandgreg AT jessandgreg.com (put an @ where the AT is!) |
