Local Love Stories: Parent Plays Matchmaker for Kindergarten Teacher

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we asked Patch readers to share their love stories.

Whether you’re a fan of Valentine’s Day or the thought of red and pink decorations makes you want to puke, we’ve got a hunch everyone could use some happy news this month. And what’s happier than a love story?

We asked Patch readers on Facebook to share their local love stories — how they met, where it all went down, and what’s kept them together. Here’s the story of a Joliet kindergarten teacher who found her soulmate through a blind date set up by a parent of one of her students.

I was a single kindergarten teacher, with some amazing students and parents. One amazing parent was a regular volunteer in my room, and she had a great idea at a family/friend dinner. My student (her daughter) was entertaining the table with tales of her kindergarten days, and a family friend was laughing and really enjoying the stories. This parent suddenly thought that this family friend and I would make a good match, and told him what else she knew about me.

He was interested, and she sent me a note in her child's folder, with the short version of this story, along with a request to meet him if I would like. She offered to give him my number or to give me his. She also noted that if I was not interested, she'd never bring it up again.

Well, I was inches from tossing it in the garbage, but something stopped me, and I thought, "What's the worst that can happen?" So, even though I had NEVER been on a "blind date" in my life, I decided to give this a chance. I am so glad I did!

We knew from that first date that we could be something special and almost exactly one year later, we were officially engaged. He says he knew that first night that I was the one. But, it took me a bit longer, though I knew pretty quickly just the same. He is the most amazing husband and father that I ever could have hoped for. He's one of a kind!

WATCH: The History of St. Valentine's Day In Under 2 Minutes

Have a local love story you want to share? Write to us at submissions@patch.com.

Photo and story submitted by Anne of Joliet