We're Getting Married...Again!

Our story starts at ISU in 2010. I’m a junior and an Alternative Spring Break Trip Leader. Corinne is a freshman and participating in what would be a life changing trip where she decided service was one of her many life’s purposes. We go on our trip and go our separate ways not really batting an eye. We both graduate and begin our lives outside of ISU. I began my teaching career and adjust to life outside of college. Corinne joins the Peace Corps and spends the next 27 months in Cambodia. Flash Forward 7 years (Meanwhile we are both Facebook friends not realizing what is going on in each other’s lives.) Corinne arrived back in the US in 2016 and I’m still teaching. Then one fateful night, I hear a ding on my phone. It’s an OKCupid notification from a new match. She messaged me something along these lines: “I was going back and forth on how to message you on how I know you. ‘Hey remember that time we went on spring break together’ or ‘Hey I know you’ or “#orangebusforlife” Then ended by saying eloquently, “What? That was like 6 years ago and there is a very large chance you have no remembrance of who I am.” Well, I did remember her; I mean how could I not! Our first date was Sunday, March 12th at Empire in Naperville. I still vividly remember seeing her walking toward me wearing a maroon shirt (The same color I decided to wear. Meant to be?), a grey pea coat, black jeans, and smiling right at me. I proceeded to go on the best date of my life and left awe stricken by the incredible woman I just spent 3 hours with. Little did I know, that date, that had me smiling from ear to ear, would lead to my future wife.

Since our very first date, I knew there was something special about Eric. We spent three hours talking about my travels, our love of food, sports and his passion for teaching, all while having just one beer. If you know us, you know we love our beer, so this was no small feat. I had never heard someone talk so passionately about what they did. By the end of the date my cheeks were so sore from smiling and laughing so much. We were quickly on our way. By our third date, an 8 hour journey to hike Starve Rock, I knew that he was the man I wanted to marry. Our friendship blossomed as we grew together as partners until a warm July day came along. We were spending another beautiful weekend up in the North Woods with my family. Eric and I had spent our first anniversary up in the North Woods and Eric knew how much I loved Bond Falls. Every time we went up, we always planned a trip to see the beautiful waterfall and hike. So that morning I was pretty clueless, although looking back now I suppose there were a few tiny hints. As Heather, Troy, Eric and I got ready for our hike, I thought hair in a messy bun but Heather insisted on looking cute to take pictures together (clue #1). Eric is known to be quite the chatter box but as we made the drive over to Bond Falls he was quieter than usual (clue #2). Once at Bond Falls we walked around and took in the sites. Eric kept his hands in his pockets and again was quieter than usual (clue #3). As promised pictures were taken, going from a photo shoot to Eric pouring his heart out as Heather and Troy captured the moment. That night I went to bed with the biggest smile and the same joy in my heart as I had on our first date so many moons before.