Jennifer & Chris in Rochester, MN
The wheels of fate were definitely in motion when Jennifer Leonard met Chris Flood. The two first connected through their college cycling club, and they later bumped into each other (not literally, thank goodness) while bike riding in St. Paul. A year later the two-wheeled twosome had yet another coincidental run-in at a bike race, after which their friendship developed into romance, culminating in a surprise proposal. The Bride Jennifer Leonard, 29, medical student The Groom Chris Flood, 33, cabinet maker The Date May 20 But the wheels didn’t stop turning yet: Four weeks before the couple’s planned wedding date, Chris was injured in a bicycle accident and needed surgery—but had no insurance. In just two hours, the resourceful bride arranged for an “emergency wedding” so her insurance could cover Chris—petitioning a judge for a marriage license, confirming with their parish priest that the hospital chaplain could marry them, and filing all the paperwork. “When the nurses at Chris’ hospital got wind of what was going on, they got me a bouquet (with peonies, my favorite flower), got Chris a boutonniere, had music, and arranged for us to use the chapel at the hospital,” Jennifer remembers. “After the service, they even got us cake and ice cream and put up signs all over the ward saying, Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Flood!” The couple re-celebrated their nuptials with a relaxed family affair in May.
