About NotObvio.us

In early September of the year 2004, Mandy appeared at a Michigan Christian Grads (MCGrads) meeting sporting a Guster t-shirt. Eric was there leading the worship band; as he began to croon Waterdeep’s Those Who Trust, it was love at first sight for Mandy. As Eric glanced at Mandy across the room, he knew he had to make a point of talking to her after the meeting. By 8:48pm on October 24th, 2004, after a Death Cab for Cutie concert, a fantastic Thai dinner, a poignant prison poetry reading, a game of Egyptian Rat Killer, and lunch at Angelo’s, Mandy received a life-changing e-mail from Eric. It read:

Mandy,

I had a fantastic time with you this weekend. In case it's not obvious, I think you're pretty amazing...

Those brief words spawned an epic romance.

About Mandy

Mandy grew up in Harrisonburg, VA, and developed a passion for children, poetry, and nature at an early age. After teaching sixth grade language arts and science for four years in Charlottesville, VA, she decided to journey out to the Midwest to pursue a master's degree in education at the University of Michigan. She just graduated from U of M in December and is currently formatting middle school science curriculum for the University and substituting in area schools. She plans to return to teaching in the fall.

About Eric

Eric grew up in Kansas City and spent many a day engrossed in music, playing the piano, strumming the guitar, and singing, especially songs by his favorite band, U2. Eric attended Grove City College and is currently the Director of Campus Life at Concordia University in Ann Arbor. Eric is also finishing up his Ph.D. in Higher Education at the University of Michigan.

About the Engagement

On Mandy’s birthday (November 6, 2005), after a mouthwatering dinner at Carson's, Eric began to ask his famous "birthday questions" (a set of questions Eric asks his friends to allow them to reflect on the previous year). Mandy and Eric were both sharing their answers, but when it came to the best memory from the previous year, Eric was elusive in his response, replying only with a little smirk of a grin. Instead, to share his favorite memory, Eric drove Mandy to U of M's Wave Field, the spot they reclined against the wave-like grassy hills, gazed at the stars, and shared their first kiss. Eric handed Mandy a small box, and Mandy, expecting a necklace or such for her birthday, was completely shocked to find a ring (and an amazingly beautiful and unique one at that)! Beneath the starlight (with some help from Eric’s keychain flashlight), Mandy discovered that Eric had designed the ring just for her!

About the Wedding

Mandy and Eric will be married on May 27, 2006 at Mandy’s childhood place of worship, Dayton United Methodist Church, in Dayton, VA. The ceremony will begin at 3:00 PM with a reception following at Mill Street Grill in Staunton--make sure to bring your dancing shoes!