CHRISTINE & JEFF

Christine & Jeff  both started their higher education at Hiram College, where they both pursued a degree in the Education field, Jeff in Physical Ed. and Christine in Art Ed. This led to the two of them enrolling in the same course taught by Don Guenther. While neither can remember the name of the course, what was remembered about it was Christine.

This was where Jeff first saw Christine (in her plaid jacket). While she usually sat near the front of the classroom, Jeff usually sat near the back. They never spoke and this was the first and last class they had together over the course of their three year college careers.  Jeff was an extremely social and out-going football and baseball player. Christine was a reserved art student, she had a close group of friends and lived on the far side of campus. They rarely crossed paths but when they did Jeff always smiled at her in case she would look up from the ground long enough to see him. Clearly, this was all about timing, as they were both in long term relationships.

 

Two school years went by without a word or a glance, until their third and final year at Hiram. Christine moved in with five of her close friends. Sure enough Jeff and Christine had mutual friends who lived off campus, and they both on occasion would hang out there at the same time. But still there were no exchanges or interactions made until nearly halfway through the year; one random Wednesday night Jeff decided to send Christine an Instant Message via facebook.

 

The message read, “hi”. Not knowing the person on the other end Christine looked at his facebook page and saw an adorable picture of a handsome guy holding a purse? This piqued her interest, so she responded. They engaged in small talk and he asked her why she never hung out at the local (and only) bar on campus. Christine did not frequent the bar and explained that she worked most weekends, but that was coming to an end in December. The conversation ended with an ambiguous, “maybe I’ll see you around” from Christine, and that was that!

 

A couple of days went by when they FINALLY ran into each other at the bar, but STILL they did not talk! Christine was sitting with her roommates at a high top table against the wall when Jeff walked up, he said hi to all of her friends, but NOT to her! Later that night she messaged him to point out that she was in-fact out and yet he still had not said hello! He apologized and a week or so later when they crossed paths again, they began a conversation. Mostly, they talked about the t-shirt he was wearing, it had his name on it, which is now refer to as, “the Jeff shirt".

 

They remained friends for the next four months, during which time Jeff confided in his friends that he had feelings for Christine. She also confided in her roommates that she thought he was adorable and funny, and they all agreed there was chemistry. Christine was hesitant to enter into a new relationship as she was newly single. They began to date casually, but upon Jeff asking Christine for a more exclusive relationship she said no. Thankfully this did not deter Jeff!

 

Their last month at Hiram before graduation, Christine spent on a study abroad trip in Florence, Italy. She and Jeff wrote emails and made phone calls back and forth; they couldn’t wait to see each other! It was nearly midnight on May the 12th 2009 when Christine’s flight came into the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, when she went down to baggage claim there he was, waiting with a bouquet of flowers! He was so nervous, but finally he asked her once again to be his girlfriend and this time she said YES!

 

The following year they pursued degrees at Bowling Green State University. Christine pursued an MA in Digital Art and Jeff a BA in Physical Education. While living in Maumee, they adopted two dogs. The first came more than years ago, her name is Macy, a pure-bred golden retriever! Macy, a sweet soul, who would be perfectly content to be patted on her head all day everyday!  The second pup came a year later; his name is Ernie, a Black Lab/Great Pyrenees mix. He is by far the largest dog either of them has ever owned, weighing in at around 115+lbs! Ernie loves food, and he LOVES Macy! He is a goofy dog with poor eyesight, but to Christine and Jeff this just makes him extra lovable! He is most happy when he’s on your lap!

 

They have since moved back to the Cleveland area where they are now settled into their new careers and are ready to start their new lives together!