How we met...

Jen's Version

In the summer of 2008, I was at a party hosted by Mark and Parul Minaudo.  Mark and I went to college together, so I've known him and his wife for years. At the end of the night, Parul mentioned to Mark that she could see me dating one of his colleagues, and he agreed that we'd be a good match. They decided to fix us up on a blind date and said they'd get back to me after they talked to Mark's friend, Glen. Since both of us have busy schedules, the Minaudo's couldn't coordinate anything for three weeks, and by then the timing wasn't right.  Months went by without us ever meeting, but every time I saw Parul, she would tell me she still thought Glen was a good match for me.  In February of 2009, Parul invited me to a last minute Super Bowl party, and I debated about whether to go at such short notice. I'm so glad I did because as I entered the house, I was introduced to Glen after hearing about him for so long. We had a great conversation for hours, and apparently, he didn't realize until the end of the night that I was the girl he was supposed to be fixed up with the previous summer. We went out on two dates that first week, and at both restaurants, they ended up turning the lights off on us because we were still talking after they closed. I knew the first night we met that things were different with him, and although it took us a long time to finally meet, it was definitely worth the wait!

Glen's Version...

Fate would be the best word to describe how Jen and I first met.  A couple we both knew (Mark and Parul Minaudo) initially tried to introduce a year before we actually met, however, the time was not right for both of us. Nearly a year went by before we would finally meet.  I was invited to the Minaudos’ SuperBowl party February 1, 2009 and at the last minute decided I would attend. About an hour after I got there, I was instantly attracted to this woman that just came down the stairs. We quickly started up a conversation and it was like no one else was there.  I then realized after an hour of talking to Jen that she was the one our friends had tried to set me up with a year prior.  Our conversation continued through the night, in fact, I don’t even remember watching the Super Bowl. Our relationship flourished thereafter.  I believe we were destined to meet all along, we just had to wait for the right time. 

The Proposal... 

Glen’s Version

Proposing to Jen took a great deal of time and effort over a 2-3 month period so as not to alert her of the big surprise. First and foremost, I knew early in our relationship that there was something different and special about Jen.  We clearly connected from our first date and my love for her exponentially grew with each meeting. It wasn’t a matter of IF I would ask her to marry me, but WHEN and WHERE. The element of surprise was something I’ve always wanted when proposing in order to make it that much more memorable. A lot of family and friends (not mentioning any names) and even Jen thought I might propose at Christmas, New Year’s Eve/Day, Valentine’s Day, or our 1st anniversary (February 1), but I wanted our engagement to be separate from other holidays or other special days. The first piece of the puzzle was figuring out a time we could both take a much needed vacation from our busy schedules. After figuring out a couple potential dates, we looked at numerous places and miraculously stumbled across a brand new all-inclusive resort that was opening just before we wanted to go…Secrets Wild Orchid in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It was too good an opportunity to pass up! I knew this would be the place I would propose to her.

I spent numerous hours trying to find that special engagement ring I thought would complement her taste. I had an idea of what I thought she wanted and when I found the ring, I knew it was perfect. It was very tough not being able to show her the ring until our trip (I had it for weeks)! I then spent numerous emails and phone calls to Secrets Wild Orchid Resort trying to set up the perfect night for the proposal, all the while starting to stress a little as the resort was not entirely ready for their opening day (about a week before we get there). Nonetheless, I was determined to make it work! Surprising her with a beautiful private dinner on the beach at sunset seemed a perfect way to propose! However, the events leading up to the proposal proved stressful.

As somewhat of a traditionalist, I wanted to get Jen’s parents approval before I would ask Jen. I have a wonderful relationship with her parents and had an idea that they would be delighted, but you truly never know until the time comes. I decided to wait just before we left for our trip to talk to Paul and Janet. The timing was perfect! I could go talk to them the day before we leave, on Saturday, while Jen is at work. However, I found out that they were unexpectedly attending a family member’s funeral. Quickly changing my plans, I innocently called up Jen’s dad on Friday and said I was in the area running some errands and was wondering if I could stop by for a minute to talk to them. Paul was on his way out for an errand as well but said to come by in 30-45 minutes. I didn’t think I was going to be so nervous asking them, but once I entered their house, I realized they were also nervous. They couldn’t even sit next to each other in the living room. I think they knew it was going to be really good news or really upsetting news. As soon as I sat down with them, my voice started quivering. I couldn’t believe how nervous I was! Regardless, I was able to voice what I wanted to ask them. As soon as I asked them for their daughter’s hand-in-marriage, Jen’s parents were overjoyed! I did have one request from them though. I didn’t want Jen knowing that I had come to talk to them and I was slightly concerned that something may slip out at their party they were hosting that very night (and Jen and I were going to be there). Appreciatively, everything went great that night. 

March 28th, the first day of our trip was quite exhausting and stressful for me. After hiding the ring from Jen for weeks, I now had to hide it in my carry-on hoping to go through airport security, customs, etc smoothly without her knowing. For some reason, I envisioned the movie ‘Meet the Parents’ with Ben Stiller as Greg Focker trying to transport his engagement ring on the plane only to have them check the bag and lose it en route. My carry-on did not leave my sight. We got through airport security and customs in Jamaica uneventfully but once we were dropped off at our resort we soon discovered our room wasn’t ready to check in. They offered to store our bags (and carry-ons) until our room is ready while we grab lunch and have a few drinks. This was the first time I think Jen thought I was acting unusual. I really didn’t want to give up my carry-on with the ring in it but I knew if I didn’t she would become suspicious. I finally caved when they told me the carry-on bags would be in a locked room. Admittedly, that was a long couple hours until our room was ready. Once we checked into our room, I quietly took the ring out of my carry-on and locked it in the room safe which only I knew the combination.

I originally wanted to propose the first night we got to Jamaica so that both of us could relax, enjoy the rest of the week, and I wouldn’t have to worry about her finding the ring. I am grateful I decided to propose the second day we were there (March 29th). Had I elected to propose to Jen on the first night, my patience would have been tested too much. It was chaotic trying to check into this new resort and we wouldn’t have been ready for the dinner I had planned. Thankfully, Monday was a better day. We spent the first full day in Jamaica relaxing and enjoying the beach at the resort. While Jen was laying out on the beach I quietly met up with the concierge to confirm all the plans I had reserved weeks before. Once I made sure all the plans were set, I went back to the beach and nonchalantly mentioned to Jen I made dinner reservations at 6pm. Once we decided to head back to the room to get ready for dinner, the phone in our room starts ringing. Fortunately, I was right next to the phone and answered it quickly only to test my patience once again when the concierge states he was just calling to confirm (I thought I just did only two hours ago) our ‘special dinner on the beach.’ I’m sure Jen saw the anger in my face. However, I just said yes and hung up the phone acting as if they just ruined my surprise.

With Jen in the shower, I had my chance to get into the room safe and grab the ring. I discreetly placed it into my pocket. We headed down to the concierge desk at 5:45pm where he told us to meet him so he could escort us to dinner before the sunset (at 6:00pm). Unbelievably,  he was not there. Counting down the minutes to sunset and starting to stress, I told the other concierge that we are walking down ourselves. As we made our way toward the beach where our private dinner was set up, our concierge met us and ‘formally’ directed to our private table right on the beach. I think it was at this point, Jen realized this wasn’t just dinner reservations. The setting was amazing…wild orchids on the table, rose petals scattered around the table on the beach with candles placed around the table in the sand. The only thing that was missing was the sunset (it was overcast) but I certainly can’t complain. It was raining all around us but for some reason we were spared. Once we sat down, had our glasses of champagne, I got down on one knee and proposed. I don’t think either of us could tell you exactly what we said as it was just a blur. Nonetheless, I was still able to place the ring on her correct finger and hear Jen say ‘YES’! Dinner never tasted so good…it was actually amazing. The rest of week was icing on the cake. I was able to relax and Jen couldn’t and still can’t stop staring at her ring. The hardest part of the night for Jen was that she couldn’t call all of her family and friends to tell them the good news since we were in Jamaica and the cell phone or room phone fees were ridiculous. However, I did promise Jen’s parents she would call them with the news the night I proposed.

Jen’s Version

Glen and I went to Jamaica in March of 2010.  Two days before we left, we had plans to go to my parents' house to watch the Michigan State basketball game.  I had an appointment beforehand to get a manicure with my friend, Jen.  Glen called me and said he was going to go to my parents' house and hang out with them until I could come over.  This was not something he normally does without me, so I was a little suspicious. I mentioned this to Jen, and immediately we thought that maybe he was going to propose in Jamaica and was asking for my parents' permission to marry me.  I didn't want to get my hopes up, though.  I assumed when I got to my parents' house, I would be able to tell by how everyone was acting whether he was planning on proposing.  Everyone acted completely normal that night.  There were no tears, excessive hugging, or emotional speeches.  I figured that if Glen was proposing, there was no way my parents could keep it together for an entire evening, so I realized I must have read into things.  When we left for Jamaica, I did notice that Glen wouldn't let anyone else handle his carry-on bag.  He kept it by his side constantly.  I started to wonder if maybe he had a ring stashed in his bag, but again, I didn't want to get my hopes up.  

The hotel we were staying at was new, and it had just opened five days before we got there.  It was really nice, but things weren't running smoothly yet. Our room wasn't ready for us, and the concierge offered to put our carry-ons in a locked room for a few hours.  I thought for sure that Glen would say no since he wouldn't even let any of our drivers lift his bag into the vehicles, but he seemed excessively eager to give his bag to this man.  So then I thought there was no way he had a ring with him.  Hours later, we got our room and everything was fine.  The hotel was gorgeous and we were having a great time.  We spent the next afternoon on the beach, and Glen told me we needed to be ready by 6pm for something he had planned.  He surprises me all the time, so I didn't read into it this time.  

That evening, we got ready and were led out to the beach by the concierge.  As we came up to the water, I saw the most beautiful table set up for a private candle lit dinner.  There were rose petals scattered in the sand, and the waves were coming up to the edge of the table.  I started to get nervous because I was thinking it was much too pretty for a normal dinner.  The waitress poured us a glass of champagne, and Glen got down on one knee in the sand and proposed to me.  After all my speculation, you'd think I would have been prepared, but I was shocked because I had convinced myself he wasn't going to propose.  I actually can't even remember what he said because in my head, I just kept saying, "Oh my God, oh my God," over and over again.  I was shaking like a leaf when he put the ring on my finger.  I don't even remember if I said yes to his proposal!  I was so excited and overwhelmed, and the whole evening seems like a dream to me.  After our fantastic dinner, we rushed back to the hotel so I could call my parents.  Actually, Glen did ask their permission to marry me when he went to their house without me! They did a great job of keeping it a secret, and they were anxiously waiting by the phone to hear from us.  The whole week in Jamaica was so exciting, special and perfect.  I still can't believe Glen pulled everything off!  It was more than I could have ever hoped for.