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Newlyweds for 1456 days!
HOW WE MET
BEN:I met Maris at a friend's house about 3 years ago. I still remember the white turtleneck sweater she wore. We never really had a conversation but I knew her name because it's so different. We were reacquainted when I stopped to chat with my friend, Kelly Dooley, at JAVA and Maris was sitting at the table. Of course she was now on my mind to a very small degree. Further conversation with Kelly revealed that Maris was to graduate in May with me and stay in Manhattan the following year. Now she was on my mind a bit more. I had to find a date for a group date thing to Kansas City with my friend's so I went out on a limb and asked her out. Of course she couldn't go on the date but we did get coffee the following day at Radina's and that's how we met...
MARIS: I remember when I received a phone call last May a few weeks before graduation and it was Mr. Ben Deaver introducing himself and asking me to a group date to KC with his house guys. I of course knew of him, for he had been a pretty known spiritual figure in the Christian community for years and I was surprised and flattered that he was asking me out! I ended up not being able to go, but we went out for coffee at Radina's a few weeks later at and we talked for three hours and fifteen minutes! It was all over after that:) I was taken by his passion for the Lord, his humor, sweet eyes and silly laugh!
WHEN WE GOT ENGAGED
May 5, 2005
HOW IT HAPPENED
I was headed to China for 5 weeks from May 8 to June 10 which made this proposal thing a little tricky. Maris thought I was going to propose after I got back, especially because I implemented the "Decoy Plan." The goal of this plan was to make her think I was proposing but end the evening with a so-called "promise" ring saying I didn't want her to fret, questioning my committment to our relationship while I was overseas. Of course this made her certain that the proposal was coming after I returned. This enabled me to say good-bye to her on May 5 at 2:45 p.m. and have her think she wouldn't see me for another 5 weeks. All the while, I stayed in Manhattan and made an announcement at our Navigator meeting that evening that I was popping the question and everyone was to come to my house for either a celebration, if she said, "Yes," or a consolation, if she said, "No." Some say this was a bit brave on my part. Judge for yourselves. I left the meeting, called Maris and told her I wasn't able to leave town yet and wanted to say good-bye again. She was pleasantly surprised but not expecting what was to come. We went for a walk and climbed on top of one of our favorite buildings on the KSU campus. I pulled out a dozen roses from my back pack. She was still unaware. Then I pulled out a wine glass and bottle of wine and asked her to refresh my memory as to a certain Jewish tradition that is basically a proposal (she had told me about this tradition previously). At this point she started freaking out a bit. Next I told her she may want to stand up for this at which point I got down on one knee and asked the following question: "Will you be my bride?" Her response was an exclamatory and repititious, "Yes, yes, yes, etc.!" We embraced. I think I even gave her a kiss. Then I gave her a booklet I made at Kinko's with the text of "The Song of Songs" with pictures of us intermingled. Finally we headed to my house to celebrate with friends. 24 hours later I was on the plane to China. The LORD answered two key prayers in this event. He provided me with an amazing fiancee and He allowed me to surprise her.
WHEN & WHERE
November 26, 2005
Kansas City, MO
ABOUT THE BIG DAY
The wedding will be at Jacob's Well Church in midtown KC. I have fond memories of going to this church when I came home to KC to visit my family. The church is beautiful!
MARIS'S ATTENDANTS
BEN'S ATTENDANTS
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