Michelle & Greg in Toledo, OH

Good things do come to those wait -- just ask Michelle. She first met Greg in 1997 when he was working the door at a downtown bar. On his nights off, Greg would frequent the cigar bar where Michelle worked, and that’s where their friendship took off. Neither remembers who “officially” made the first move, but eventually they decided to have dinner. Michelle was smitten from the moment Greg opened the car door for her. “I had never dated such a nice, respectful guy,” she says. The Bride Michelle Wilkins, 29, graphic artist The Groom Greg McElroy, 37, soccer club coaching director The Date September 16 After eight years together, the twosome moved into a fixer-upper in downtown Toledo. In the midst of renovations, on Michelle’s birthday, Greg called her to come look at some work he’d done. She arrived to find flowers, twinkling lights, and Greg with a ring in his hand.