2008 Woodie Awards
Lucky SRU couple wins wonderful wedding
By Jill Sarver-Monk
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 2/10/06 Section: Life
| |
|
Herrick and Linn, a 2004 graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in safety and environmental management, entered a radio contest last month to win a Valentine's Day wedding. The two had been engaged since June 2004, so when Herrick heard about the contest on the radio she told her fiancé, who later called in to tell Froggy 104.3's Danger Show their story.
Herrick and Linn met in December 2002 while living in Founders Hall. During finals week, Herrick was watching a movie with a bunch of her friends and Linn joined the group. After the movie, Linn said he and Herrick found themselves alone and struck up a conversation. He warned her that there were a lot of people walking in and out of the building at that hour.
Linn later noticed that she had fallen asleep. He said he was concerned about her, but didn't know where her room was, so he picked her up and carried her safely to his bed. Linn put a sleeping bag on his floor and unsuccessfully tried to sleep. After watching a few more movies, Linn said he didn't want to sleep on the uncomfortable floor so he lied down next to her and fell asleep. In the morning he woke her for the final she had told him about the night before.
Herrick said she and Linn went ice skating for their first date. Although generally a good skater, Herrick was distracted by Linn's flirtatious behavior and ended up with a concussion when he playfully pushed her. On the way home she kept yelling at him to watch out for the deer because she was seeing spots alongside the road.
Linn said he has converted Herrick to the outdoor life. She now loves to be outside; camping or fishing.
"She can out-fish me," Linn said. "But I always have to go along because she can't take the hooks out of their mouths."
They also share another interest; Linn said they both were involved in ROTC at SRU.
Herrick is still active in ROTC and is part of the National Guard Medical Service Corp. Linn was commissioned Dec. 18, 2004 and is currently a reservist in the 307th Military Police Battalion in New Kensington.
Linn said he and Herrick used to live in a run-down little place on Normal Avenue.
He said he knew she was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with because she had become his best friend.
"One day she was cooking me lunch and I got down on one knee in the kitchen and asked her to marry me," Linn said.
Herrick laughed at the proposal but later apologized and agreed to marry him, he said.
They have now been engaged for over one year.
Herrick and Linn were originally planning on getting married after her graduation in August 2006, Herrick said, but because of their recent win they decided to plan a wedding in just two weeks.
The couple received $14,000 in local contributions toward the cost of the wedding. Herrick said they will be able to have a nicer wedding than if they were paying for it themselves.
"This wedding has truly been a blessing," Herrick said. "We've always just been able to make ends meet, but our luck has changed and we are so thankful."
Herrick said she was excited that they were allowed to pick out their own rings and her wedding gown.
Linn said he and Herrick have only had to spend $2,000 of their own money. The bachelor and bachelorette parties have been completely paid for by the radio station. Linn had his party at Copper Creek Grill on Route 48 in White Oak last night and Herrick's will be held at Saddle Ridge in Station Square tonight.
The wedding ceremony is to take place on Valentine's Day and will be broadcast live on the Danger Show.
Linn said he will leave his new bride to ship off to El Salvador on Feb. 21 for three weeks with his unit.
On May 13, the newlyweds will attend a Poverty Neck Hillbillies concert in Houston and depart the next day on a honeymoon cruise with the musical group. The seven day cruise will include stops at Montego Bay other locations throughout the Caribbean.
Herrick said she didn't think she and Linn would win the contest after meeting the other couples, because the other couples had such great chemistry.
Herrick said she is thrilled to have won the contest.
"I'm extremely excited about the wedding and even more excited about the circumstances," Herrick said. "Most people pay thousands upon thousands of dollars for their wedding; we're spending under $2,000."
