Gretchen & Robert in Cincinnati, OH

Two chance encounters brought Gretchen and Robert together. Their courtship culminated in a wedding reception amid Cincinnati’s finest art collection. When Robert Muller remembers the day he married Gretchen Kraus, he says, “My favorite thing was when I first saw Gretchen in her beautiful dress.” Says Gretchen, “My favorite thing was his reaction.” THE BRIDE Gretchen Kraus, 25, attorney THE GROOM Robert Muller, 26, architect THE DATE May 27 Gretchen and Robert met for the first time at a party at the University of Cincinnati (Robert was a student there; Gretchen attended nearby Xavier). Rob gave Gretchen his number, but alas, she never called him. Fortunately, fate threw them together once again over a year later, at a party. This time Robert took the matter into his own hands: he called Gretchen, and they have been together ever since. The two were engaged on Christmas Eve in 1998, at Gretchen’s parents’ home. The engagement ring was wrapped in its little box and hung on the tree like an ornament. It was the last present opened that evening, and Gretchen says she was completely surprised.