Jeannie hit Steve with her car…..Nah… that wasn’t how it began.

Our Story is one not made up of many twist and turns. Nor is it made up of a series of comedic events, although that was the way that it seemed to unfold. We were simply two lost souls that managed to find their ways to one another in what has turned out to be an adventure of love, compassion, and virtue.

October 20, 2001- We had met under the most simple of events. It was a gathering for dinner amongst friends and food which would turn out to be the beginning of our journey. There was a dinner put together by Jeannie for her co-workers at Il Bagatto in Lower Manhattan. Joe, Jeannie’s old co-worker, in turn invited his brother Ray. Ray asked his friend if he wanted to come out to dinner and if anything, just enjoy some good Italian food.

Enter Steve. So Steve with his friend Ray, met up with Jeannie and her co-workers. There were introductions done at the lower bar, and all were soon seated around a large circular table. Of course, Steve being somewhat shy decided to sit next to his buddy Ray so that he could have someone to talk to.

Jeannie on the other hand is surrounded by all her friends, but conveniently sits directly across from Steve. Everyone got comfortable and small chit chat started around the table. Drinks and food are served, and it was made know both Ray and Steve are chefs. Jeannie in a feeble attempt to create small talk and asked how the food was. Of course, being the two analytical chefs, Ray and Steve proceed to criticize their meals. Jeannie of course is now totally enthralled by the person sitting across from her. On the other hand, Steve does notice Jeannie, but can’t figure out whether or not she is involved with the gentleman sitting next to her. So he takes the low road and switches to small talk with the hot, good looking Latin girl to his right.

After dinner, the plan was to move to another location for some drinks. We all decided to go to Puck Fair. Everyone basically hung out and had a good time. By the end of the evening, Jeannie (decided she will make her first strategic move) offered Steve a ride back to Queens, using a petty excuse that she will be going to her grandmother’s house. Steve agrees. They spent the ride getting to know each other a little more, but somewhat blurred through the heart pumping Chinese techno that blared in the car. Steve and Jeannie seem to be very comfortable talking to one another and neither one is sure where any of this talk is going. Nor do they really care. It just feels good.

Eventually they make their way back to Woodside and there of course it happens. It was the god awful sound of an awkward silence. You all thought the first kiss happened. What kind of a girl do you think Jeannie is? Jeannie gives Steve “the look”. She’s really into his vibe now and she’s got that nervous feeling in her stomach. By now, Steve is just sitting there in her car, and questions are racing through his head. Should he ask for her number? Perhaps they should set up a date so they can get to know each other better. What happens? Steve extends a hand, gives a hearty handshake and thanks Jeannie for the ride back. What a maroon!! No backbone, wuss.

Ah, but was this just a well played strategy by Steve? Well of course. He needed to find out Jeannie’s status. Who was she? And what was her status? Well, after some research, he finds out that the guy she was sitting next to her at dinner was just a close fried. A very close friend, but just a friend none the less. Steve now is ready to give Jeannie the opportunity of her life. But wait, he has no way to contact her. Dummy, never got her digits. What shall he do?

Call his friend Ray, yeah that’s it. When he gets in touch with Ray, Steve finds out that there is supposed to be another gathering that Jeannie is throwing together. But unfortunately Steve cannot attend on that evening. So of course out of sheer desperation, Steve asks Ray to get her number. Lame, yes, but it did work. Jeannie gives her number without any hesitation and anxiously awaits a call from her gentleman caller.

So how long would Jeannie have to wait? Well, what should have been a couple of days, the correct time to give between getting a number and actually using it to just under a week. Somewhere along the line of Ray giving the number to Steve, somehow Ray gave the wrong number. Steve would try to use the number he was given and the person on the other had to endure phone calls of a guy looking for Jeannie. That is until Steve double checked with Ray. You see, Ray had inadvertently given Steve his grandfather’s phone number. Way to go Ray, good thing he didn’t find my voice sexy.

With that fiasco out of the way, Steven finally gives Jeannie a call. She is beside herself when she hears his voice on the other end. She didn’t think he was going to call her and says that “if he didn’t, that it would have been his loss.” They agree to see one another that following Sunday. Ocean’s Eleven would be their first date. Jeannie expresses her love for nachos that evening as well. Nachos at the movies? What ever happened to popcorn and a soda shared between two people?

Well, that’s how it all started. Then on Thanksgiving Day of 2004, Steve finally popped the question to Jeannie in a surprise proposal in front of the Ng family that left no dry eye in the house, but there was one extremely hungry grandfather. It was a joyous day that encapsulated the things they hold most dear, family, friends, and of course food.

And it has been a wonderful four years. We’ve had our ups and down, trials and tribulations, whatever cliché you might want to use, while each step of the way growing closer and closer, becoming the best of friends. This is just the beginning of their lives together and look forward to all the things that a marriage will reward them with.

Steve and Jeannie thank all of those who read their story. They thank all of their family and friends for being supportive of both of them throughout their lives. Without each of you, they would not have had the building blocks that have shaped them into wonderful, charismatic, fun loving and big hearted people they are today.