In some ways, Liz and Geoff seemed worlds apart. She had an international upbringing and he had rarely left Missouri; she worked as a staff scientist and he worked as a mechanic; she had two cats and he had a dog. Still 10 months after their marriage, Liz and Geoff radiate togetherness and happiness. “If you stick to your checklist, it won’t happen,” says Liz.
On the other hand, maybe achieving happiness together depends on your checklist. Sherry Zimmerman, a Jerusalem dating coach, says: “The starting point for everyone who wants to find their future spouse is to look for a dating partner whose values are similar to theirs.”
Liz and Geoff met at a Shabbat dinner in August, 2006, organized by a Reform congregation in St. Louis, Temple Israel, and sponsored by their Young Professionals group, now called TISCH (The Temple Israel Singles and Couples Chavurah). According to Rabbi Amy Feder, assistant rabbi of the temple, TISCH is a great way to meet other Jews in their 20’s and 30’s for social and religious reasons – and for social action. “Liz and Geoff are two of our poster children for what makes the organization so great,” she says.
Liz recalls: “We didn’t talk much that first night, but I did notice that Geoff stayed afterwards to help clean up my friend’s house who hosted.” Check.
And Geoff continues: “That Friday night, we both heard an announcement by a representative of the National Council for Jewish Women. They were looking for volunteers to work the following week at their Back-to-School Store. I didn’t need any convincing. This was a worthy project – to help hundreds of kids start school with brand-new clothes and school supplies.”
Liz Brooke-Powell and Geoff Kruvand were among the 300 volunteers who staffed the store in 2006. This was a value they both shared – volunteering. Another check.
“That night, we talked much more,” says Liz. “In fact, we have been talking ever since. From the beginning, we talked about everything – children, faith, and family.”
“I was born in New Hampshire in 1977, but lived in England from the time I was 11. After graduating from the University of Bath in the British town of Bath, I began looking for the place to call home. I loved living in Germany, but didn’t like my job. I loved my job in Cambridge, but didn’t like the social life. In 2005, I moved to St. Louis and I found St. Louis to be perfect. I am happy working at the Washington University Medical School. I love the cultural life here and the Jewish life here is just right.”
Geoff’s story omits the travel. “I was born in St. Louis in 1976, and my mom still lives in the same house where I grew up,” says Geoff. “I went to Fern Ridge High School, a non-traditional high school in Creve Coeur, Missouri, and Linn State Technical College. From early on, I was interested in technology and I liked working with my hands. I still do. Before meeting Liz, I had never crossed the Atlantic. I had no great desire to leave Missouri. I love St. Louis. It’s just right for me and for us.”
Amy Fenster-Brown, a good friend of Geoff’s, was the first to hear about Liz – just one day after Geoff met Liz at the Back-to-School Store. And Amy was in the loop throughout their dating period. Amy continues the story: “When Geoff went to England to meet Liz’s family, he wrote me an e-mail saying how much fun he was having, and that he had met ‘Liz’s lovely mother.’ I sent him back an e-mail that said, ‘Come on already. You love her. She loves you. Just marry her already.’
Sometime later, Geoff called and said, “O.K., I got the e-mail. Let’s say I do want to propose to her. What do I do? How do I pick a ring? How do I do this?”
“My husband and I were so excited! We told Geoff we would help him with everything,” says Amy. “Two hours later Geoff called and said, ‘Congratulate me, we’re engaged!’ He was so excited about the thought of proposing, he sort of let it slip in conversation to Liz and finally just asked her because he loved her so much and wanted to be engaged right now! It’s like that line in the movie “When Harry met Sally,” when Harry says, “When you find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you pretty much want the rest of your life to begin right away.'”
Liz and Geoff became engaged on February 6, 2007, about six months after they met.
“We both wanted to marry Jewish; we both wanted family; and we are both passionate about volunteering,” says Geoff. Rabbi Feder, who officiated at their wedding, adds: “Liz and Geoff recently joined the Temple Israel Caring Community to support families who are ill or grieving.” Liz and Geoff share the same basic values. Final check.
Amy Fenster-Brown, now a good friend of both Liz and Geoff, describes the happy couple this way: “They just get each other, they respect each other, they are great friends, teammates, buddies, and complement one another… with one having strengths to make up for the other one’s weaknesses, just like any great couple you might know. Chemistry knows no zip code.”
Liz and Geoff were married on October 21, 2007. Mazal tov!
http://www.stljewishlight.com/jewishsingles/293147127636814.php
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