In case you haven't already figured it out, Heather is the love of my life! We met through the Marching Illini, undoubtedly because we were both in the 1997 and 1998 drumline. We saw each other every day at rehearsal, giving us plenty of time to get to know each other on a casual level. Unbeknownst to us (until later), half of the drumline was trying to hook us up as soon as we started talking! The first time we really talked followed an evening practice on the field. We were started chatting about this and that, and ended up standing in the parking lot until 1:30am! After that, things pretty much happened on their own, and we "officially" began dating September 21, 1997. We have so much in common that it's uncanny! And that's actually what sparked my interest in her after I talked to her for the first time.

I used to be so afraid that I'd never find "the one", and that no one out there was waiting for me. But all the cliches my parents fed me actually came true! I waited and waited, somewhat impatiently at times, and God brought Heather to me. I think of her as my other half...without her around, I feel incomplete. My intense feelings for her made me want to spend the rest of my life with her, and I knew that she felt the same way. So on Valentine's Day 1998 , almost five months after we started dating, I asked Heather to marry me...and guess what she said? Let's just say that now I walk around looking like this all the time...

And much thanks goes out to Rebecca (for getting Heather to talk to me) and Jessica (for getting me to talk to Heather). It only took that spark to get this fire going!

Important steps in our engagement (and I'll actually update this when something happens):

2/14/98 - the beginning of it all...the day I put the ring on Heather's finger!

2/27/98 - Heather and I went looking, for the first time, at places that we might want to live when we're married.

3/2/98 - We picked a date! It's sooner than we originally planned, but that only means that the happiest day of my life is closer than ever...everyone get ready, 'cause the deal's going down on

(¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.May 22, 1999.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯)

3/14/98 - Heather went dress-shopping with her Mom for the first time...lo and behold, the official garment (a.k.a. perfect dress) has been selected!

3/26/98 - After looking at numerous hotels/halls, we booked our reception (and wedding night...*wink wink*) at Jumer's Castle Lodge in Urbana, IL.

3/27/98 - Our first pre-marital counseling session with our pastor Randy. We got to proclaim our feelings for each other to a third party which was really cool...and we also reserved the church.

4/25/98 - ...Ladies and gentlemen, the garment to be worn by Heather was tried on yet again and has now been ordered (and will be received in 4 to 6 months)!

5/22/98 - ONE YEAR UNTIL THE DAY! We also had our second counseling session with Pastor Randy, where we learned that (according to independent Temperament Analysis tests) our knowledge of each other matched up almost perfectly. We knew it all along, but now it's on paper!

5/25/98 - Today we ordered both our wedding rings (Heather's wrap and my band)...although we won't actually have them for ten months (according to the Layaway plan).

6/8/98 - Congratulations to Creative Images Photography for receiving the check; as well as the right to snap all of the pictures of us while we're all dressed up on our wedding day!

7/30/98 - If you're wondering about the great music at the reception, it'll be handled by Z Entertainment..I wonder what the "Z" stands for?

9/21/98 - OUR ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY! 365 short days ago, I began dating the woman that will hold my beating heart forever! Well, maybe not literally...you know what I mean!

12/5/98 - Bridesmaids selected and ordered (in a lovely Victorian lavender); hook, line, and sinker!

Christmas Break 1998 - This was a major planning time for us! Here's my attempt to name all the wedding stuff we did from December 19, 1998 when classes ended until the new semester on January 20, 1999. We registered at one store, picked out and ordered invitations, registered at store #2, upgraded our photography package, picked out and ordered printed napkins and scrolls, picked up the invitations, registered at the third store, selected the tuxes for the twelve males in the ceremony, and...I know there's more...I'll add it later when my head stops spinning!

2/12/99 - Today we planned the ceremony format with our Pastor; we also had our first ballroom dance class so we can flow across the floor in a few months!

2/22/99 - THREE MONTHS UNTIL THE DAY! Whew, it's creeping up!

4/5/99 - We began our second ballroom dance course today, and have picked the song for our first dance at the reception.

4/17/99 - Plans are now finalized at the church, after meeting with the custodian. We figured out the sound, lighting, and placement of accessories...more technical than it used to be, I'm sure!

4/22/99 - Many details and finite plans later, we've only got a MONTH to go!!

5/15/99 - Finals are over, and we've got a week left...I'm freaking out!

I thought it would be interesting to see how many people read about Heather and I on the internet.
There have been

hits since this page's birth on February 16, 1998! Got any thoughts on me and Heather? Email me!

And the rest is history...actually, I guess it's the future!