LIFE

She accused him of not being romantic; he showed her

Betsy Price
The News Journal

THE INTRODUCTION: Terrilyn Hickman and Jonathan Allen Sr. met in the waiting room of their Wilmington chiropractor's office in January 2013. It was her first time there. She came because she had a coupon. Jonathan was a longtime patient of the chiropractor. Terrilyn was 41, living in Newark and working as a social worker professor in Philadelphia, but she was on sabbatical to write an online class about aging. He was 49, living in New Castle and that day was wearing the uniform for his job as a sergeant for the state Department of Corrections. A naturally chatty person, she asked him what he did and they started talking about work, and then stress, and then spirituality and the Bible. He invited her to come hear about Noni Juices, which he sold, and she said yes. Mostly, she was interested in seeing him again. When she got to the presentation, however, she went into the wrong room and ended up sitting through a lecture on coffee beans. Frustrated that she didn't see him and that this was not what she expected, she walked into the hallway and bumped into Jon Reid, who had been her field placement supervisor 20 years ago when she was a social work intern. It would turn out that Reid had been Jonathan's spiritual adviser about that long. That connection helped encourage a relationship, because Jonathan at first didn't realize she was interested in him. The couple spent weeks talking by phone and texting a bit. He finally asked her to go hang out a couple of months after they met. But he was late arriving, and she almost canceled. "You know, after you're so old, you ain't got time for that," she says. He showed, though.

The couple married May 24.

THE FIRST DATE: They went shopping at the outlets in Queenstown, Maryland, and then to dinner at the Harris Crab House and Seafood Restaurant in Maryland.

THE FIRST KISS: He kissed her goodbye after he brought her home. They began dating steadily then. She was interested in seeing whether he was the man she thought he was, and whether his deeds matched his words. She was delighted to discover they did. By June 8, 2013, when his children had a party to celebrate his 50th birthday and his retirement, he introduced her to the room as his future wife. She was surprised.

THE PROPOSAL: On her birthday, Sept. 15, 2013, they had dinner at Devon's Seafood Grill in Philadelphia. He asked the staff to hide her ring in her dessert. But when it arrived, she fussed because the dessert didn't look like she thought it would. She couldn't see the ring. Jonathan casually reached over, turned the tray around and said, "Why don't you start here." She was in shock because he had led her to believe he hadn't gotten a ring yet. She had accused him of not being romantic, and thinks he decided to show her. She cried. He cried. He got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife. The entire restaurant cheered. The manager was so happy he gave them Moët on the house. Afterward they walked around Rittenhouse, both of them awestruck.

THE CEREMONY: They married May 24 at Ezion Fair Baptist Church in Wilmington. She had never been married before and chose a formal gown. They were married by Terrilyn's childhood pastor from Ohio, Bishop Daniel Day. Jonathan entered to "All of You" by John Legend, complete with lip-syncing and choreography. She surprised the wedding party and guests by singing the first verse of "Just Because" by Anita Baker, and then walking down the aisle to a recording of the rest of the song. She was so nervous she threatened not to do it, but her wedding planner told her to pick up the microphone and start. Terrilyn's sister, Jameelah Johnson, sang an original piece, "A Special Peace." Jon Reid was a groomsman. Terrilyn's great-nephew, MyKale Bailey, was "ring security," complete with shades and a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist. He was so sure of his plans that he fell asleep at the altar. "Some ring security he was!" the bride says.

THE DRESS: Terrilyn wore a strapless white chiffon gown with silver and pearl accessories.

SOMETHING NEW: Almost everything the bride wore.

SOMETHING BLUE: The sapphire stone on her garter.

THE RECEPTION: The party moved to the church fellowship hall to enjoy catering by Terrilyn's sister-in-law, Colleen Hickman of Ohio, and Colleen's sisters, Renee Brown and Tina Simmons. Terrilyn has known them for more than 30 years. Instead of a cake, they had cupcakes, given to them as a wedding gift from two close friends. The guests enjoyed the puzzle guest book, the photo booth and the music, provided by Lt. Mike Phillips, a friend of Jonathan's from the Department of Corrections.

THE MOST SENTIMENTAL GIFT: A glass keepsake box that held their wedding invitation, made by Joanne Scoles, wife of Pat Scoles, a colleague and friend of Terrilyn's.

THE HONEYMOON: The couple went to Aruba, where they kicked off the visit by attending the Soul Beach Music Festival featuring SWV and Robin Thicke. They took a submarine tour, toured the island by Land Rover, snorkeled, rock climbed, visited the casinos, went to karaoke and topped it all off with a relaxing massage on the beach. They'd like to start following the alphabet to celebrate their anniversary and go to a spot that begins with B in 2015.

THE FAMILY TREE: The bride is the daughter of Minnie Hickman of Toledo, Ohio, and Vernon Hickman of Toledo, Ohio. The groom is the son of Gloria Allen of Chester, Pennsylvania, and the late Jesse Lumbus of Mobile, Alabama.

WHAT'S NEXT: They live in Delaware, where they plan to build a strong foundation for their future together. Jonathan is working for a security company. Terrilyn is an assistant professor at the Community College of Philadelphia and does some independent consulting.

To have your ceremony considered for this feature, you must fill out a questionnaire and send us a photo. Please email Sundaylife@delaware online.com or call (302) 324-2884 for a form. This is a free service, and we cannot guarantee a specific ceremony will be chosen. Couples also may have their ceremonies appear in Celebrations, (302) 324-2781.