My wife and I recently celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. Last Thursday, actually. If you're scoring at home that means we were married 7/7/07. Let it go. This story begins 21 months earlier. Carolyn and I met briefly in the summer of 2005 while we were both in separate relationships. A few months later I called her and asked if she'd go out with me. She agreed. She was a friend of a friend and knew this call was coming. I knew she wasn't the Applebees type (thank goodness) so I suggested a burger and beer joint. She liked the idea. And it would change my life forever.
THE BEGINNING OF A TRADITION
October 14th, 2005 I took her to Maxwell's American Pub on Washington Ave in downtown Minneapolis. I remember one of the first things she said to me. The waitress had just taken our drink order when Carolyn leaned in and said, "Oh good, you drink". I didn't know how to respond. Turns out she had recently dated a former drinker and dates with him were either drinkless or awkward. It's been a catch phrase that we've joked about ever since.
A PROPOSAL
July 14th, 2006 Fast forward nine months. Her parents had season tickets to the Twins that year. Most often it was Carolyn and I who used them. Maxwell's is very close to the Metrodome and we'd usually stop there before games. I knew in December that I was going to ask Carolyn to marry me and I always knew I would do it on our nine monthiversary. I had to do it at Maxwell's where it all began.
There was a home game that evening and that would be my guise. Just another pregame at Maxwell's. I also went there for lunch that day. I met a friend who was a photographer, but whom Carolyn had never met. I asked her earlier to secretly shoot the events of the night. Lunch was our reconnaissance mission. I also spoke with the manager. I told him my plan and asked if he could reserve the Grain Belt table for us. He said they don't reserve tables on event nights. Understandable. It was game night and Maxwell's would be busy. So I asked, "How about this? You mark the table reserved and when that becomes that last empty table in the place you take the sign off". He agreed.
The night went perfectly. She was unsuspecting, although she did on one occasion mention that she thought someone was taking a lot of pictures in our direction.
I asked, she said yes.
Carolyn's parents threw us a fantastic engagement party. A great surprise that evening was that Carolyn's mom had a neighbor make a couple of cakes. They were modeled after pictures of Maxwell's and the Grain Belt billboard. Pretty impressive.
The night went perfectly. She was unsuspecting, although she did on one occasion mention that she thought someone was taking a lot of pictures in our direction.
I asked, she said yes.
July 7th, 2007 We got hitched.
DISASTER STRIKES!
September 13th, 2008 Seven months after the horrible fire they reopened. And it looked darned near exactly like the original. Phew! Carolyn and I were welcomed by Rosie. And to our surprise we were presented with a framed and matted black & white photo of the Grain Belt billboard. We were honored to say the least. It turned out to be a great evening of reminiscing, making new friends and new memories.
ANOTHER CHAPTER
August 24th, 2010 Now if you're reading this you probably already know that I am a brewer by trade. I should note that it was this wonderful woman who got me started in brewing. For my 30th birthday in '05 she bought me a homebrewing kit. Since then a lot has happened. My starter kit ballooned, I went to brewing school, quit my day job, interned for a large craft brewery and happened to land a job with none other than the brewery that makes Grain Belt beer. That's right, as an employee of the August Schell Brewery I assist in the entire process of producing Grain Belt beer. Coincidence? Even the Maxwell's pint glasses have Grain Belt on the other side. Fate? It brought my wife and me together. Irony? Call it what you will but one thing will always remain true; Grain Belt beer has touched my life in so many different ways that it will always be special to us. It must run in the family. My dad, a lifetime New Yorker until he met my mother, still drinks Grain Belt forty years later. It's the beer he fell in love with while he fell in love with my mom.
July 11th, 2011 Raise your glass (or can).
Here's to the continued success of Grain Belt Beer. May it be around for generations, quenching thirst and making memories. Cheers!
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7 comments:
Thanks for sharing, Derek! Better than the picture of the big beer I expected to see when I clicked on the FB link.
It's a wonderful story Derek, congrats to you both!
Thanks Kris. This long novelette is probably a better sedative than any high gravity beer.
Thanks Ann... or should I say "secret photographer" ; )
A great story. You are living the dream.
Sweet!
Wonderful! Awesome!
Nice post!
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