Really? 5 Years Ago?

On July 4th, five years ago, we became Us!!

Here are some excerpts from a scrapbook I made about Jon and I for our wedding. 

 How We Met

The first time I met Jon was during my sophomore year at Cedarville. The phone rang and I was confronted with a guy's voice that was shaking with nerves! He said, "Hi Rachael, you don't know me, but my name is Jon Oren." I didn't quite understand what he said for his last name, so I said, "What did you say your last name was?" And he replied, "Oren, like oreo, but without the O." Hahaha. Right away, I knew I had a winner with that one. He asked me out on a date, without us ever meeting and me having no clue who he was. As soon as we hung up the phone I went out into the hall and yelled, "Does anyone know a Jon Oren?" A friend of mine came running in saying, "Yes! I do! He is awesome. Did he ask you out? You have to go!" I actually agreed to go out with someone I had never met before, which was totally uncharacteristic of me!

The *Kiss*

The first time Jon kissed me was on Dec. 16, 2003. Jon had come home to PA with me after college finals to meet my family. We had a wonderful weekend together and he was leaving to go back to Indiana. I knew there were several times when Jon wanted to kiss me, but for some reason, I didn’t let him! Anytime there was an opportunity to kiss me, I would turn my head so he could kiss my cheek. He was okay with that at first, but then came the day he had to leave. We were standing right outside my garage and it was snowing. He leaned over to give me a hug and then leaned in to kiss what I figured would be my cheek again. But then he said, “Rachael, keep your head still,” and he kissed me. I definitely didn’t turn my head that time! Jon was so smitten by our first kiss that when he got in his car and left he was going in the complete wrong direction for awhile. I guess love will do that to you! 

Scandalous pictures hidden away in the library! woot-woot!!

When We Knew We Would Marry

Jon: The first time I knew I would marry Rachael was only a few short weeks after we started dating. Rachael and I were sitting in Cedarville’s cafeteria eating dinner. Somehow, we got on the topic of how my hair is really thick and straight and how her hair is really curly. I chimed in at just the right moment with the fact that our children would probably have curly hair. As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I quickly apologized for jumping the gun. But Rachael just smiled and laughed her usual laugh. I don’t think she cared one bit.

 Rachael: I knew I would marry Jon from the first time I went on a double date with him and his roommate Jeremy, and Katie (who soon became his wife). There was just something different about him. The more we talked the more I found out how we had a lot of the same goals in life. He also reminded me a lot of my dad. It’s funny to think that I knew way back then, in December of 2002, but I didn’t give in to Jon’s pursuit of me until a year later! I came back to my room that night and told my roommate Leah and my best friend Rachel that I knew this was the guy I was going to marry!

Jon, I wouldn't want to do life with anyone but you! I can't believe all we've accomplished and all the ways we've grown. I can't wait to see what comes next! I love you!

Pictures by our amazing friend Joanna. www.mymeanderings.xanga.com