Our Story
Mike and Jillian met in drudgery at the Argosy Casino in Lawrenceburg, Indiana when they were twenty-two and nineteen, respectively. She ushered disgruntled gamblers to various themed rooms on the buffet floor, and Mike whipped up more fried chicken and mashed potatoes than can be calculated. He looked very handsome in the hat, however.
After a first date of coffee, cartoons, and talking up their lives until four in the morning in the cab of his Chevy pickup, they were never too much apart.
Engagement
In Luzern, Switzerland
2 July and the heat was stifling after the weeks of traveling South through mild Germany and into Switzerland. We walked the perimeter of Luzern and up along the old city wall with Mike's friend from high school, Mike Rinze, a German exchange student now living in Switzerland. We had ice cream and considered some shopping to escape the heat, though I admittedly gave a great deal of thought to the fact that this day marked six sometimes manic but really rather lovely years together. I thought I might look nice in a new dress, but I was about to be surprised by something a bit smaller and a good deal shinier.
Crossing over the medieval Chapel Bridge, Mike handed the camera to his friend and asked him to take our photograph. He obliged, knowing in advance what was about to happen, and Mike put his arm around me, grinning like a fool.
The question was posed, tears were shed, and many sighs and happy exclamations were had. We both broke in the use of the word 'fiance' and I halved my glances between the beautiful sapphire on my finger and his smile.
