In the fall of 2004, when we were both freshmen at the University of Michigan, Amanda literally walked into my life. It was the second day that we’d been living in South Quad—she lived down the hall—and she waltzed in to introduce herself. We quickly became good friends, and before long I asked her on our first of many dates. Neither of us had a car, so our blossoming romance began as we took an Ann Arbor bus to see a movie after eating dinner at Good Time Charley’s.
I’ve always known that Amanda and I were destined to spend the rest of our lives together. We took Great Books together in our first semester, and one of the things we learned about was the origin of love in Greek mythology. According to legend, Zeus split the then-two-headed, four-legged humans in two, and they spent the rest of their lives trying to find their other half. Sitting in class, Amanda and I knew that we’d already found our better halves, and now we’re finally becoming one.
-Jeff
Halfway through my first semester at The University of Michigan, I was thrilled to move to Martha Cook, a different dormitory. I hadn’t expected to miss my old dorm, but I quickly realized I missed late-night walks to The Back Room for pizza with Jeff. I found myself still spending time at South Quad, and on one occasion, after convincing Jeff to watch the Oprah show with me, we shared our first kiss.
From earliest days of our relationship, our marriage was already being discussed. Jeff’s roommate Alex even suggested that Jeff had found himself a wife! In our first year together, I knew that Jeff and I were meant to be together. I still remember him caressing my left hand and suggesting that it would look beautiful with a ring on the fourth finger. Now, that ring is there and I can’t wait for us to begin a new life together.
-Amanda
When I went to buy Amanda’s engagement ring, I expected to have to wait six to eight weeks while it was made. The jewelry store had other plans—not only did they have the setting (in the metal I wanted) and a good diamond there, but they were also able to make the ring while I waited! I left to get lunch and when I came back, they had a finished ring for me. I hid the ring in my apartment, tucked inside a cooler that I never use on the top shelf in my closet. From that point, I got more and more anxious about having the ring. I’m a worrier by nature, so having a ring in my apartment lent itself to questions: “What if there’s a fire?” “What if somebody breaks in?” and “What if Amanda finds it?” were all concerns. I brought the ring home on Wednesday, and by Saturday I couldn’t wait any longer. I told Amanda I was taking the trash out and, while outside, made up my mind to go in there and ask her to marry me. I went inside, called Amanda into the living room, said a few nice words that neither one of us remember, and got down on one knee. In the excitement I didn’t even remember her saying yes! (but don’t worry, I double-checked later). We called a few family members and close friends and then went out for a romantic night on the town, our first as fiancés.