In the Beginning

By KATHLEEN GREEN / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News
There's no doubt in Jason Osterberger and Brandy Thurman's minds that God had a plan. And it couldn't have been more obvious.

How they met: Jason and Brandy had seen each other before at Sunday Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Dallas. But, last February, they ended up in the same pew, although at opposite ends. As the church filled, they scooted closer and closer. "He was literally right next to me," she says. "And I leaned over and said, 'If anybody else sits in the pew, you're more than welcome to sit in my lap.' "

An instant connection: The next Sunday, Jason sat next to Brandy again and introduced himself after Mass. They walked to their cars, which coincidentally were parked side by side. Lunch plans were made, and the real connection began. "It was just so perfect. Weird perfect," says Brandy, 29. She grew up dancing; his mom owns a dance studio. They both went to private Catholic schools and have five kids in their families: three girls and two boys. "It was freaky," she says.

Too perfect: Jason was a little overwhelmed, yet intrigued, by their sudden bond. And there was one lingering question. Jason had previously noticed Brandy at church with a little boy and a man, who turned out to be her brother. Brandy made it clear that the only other man in her life was 6-year-old son Tanner. Having a lot to think about, Jason handed her his business card instead of asking for her phone number. They e-mailed the whole next week.

First date: Jason invited Brandy to a Dallas Mavericks basketball game that next Tuesday.
"It was the most incredible date of my life," says Jason, 30, a landscape designer. "From then on, I knew she was the one. I'd met my best friend. She completed me. That was our first date, and I felt like I knew her forever."

Winning hearts: Brandy made a point not to involve Tanner with her dates, but "you just know when you meet the right person." At a get-together with friends for Tanner's birthday, "Jason brought a birthday gift for Tanner, not ever having met him. He had just come back from Mardi Gras and had this huge bag of necklaces and goofy prizes and candy. They instantly started getting along."

A match made in heaven: Brandy also was taken by Jason's romantic gestures, which included giving her a red rose on dates. "It really was a pure and total friendship from the beginning," says Brandy, who teaches geometry at Coppell High School. "There were no fronts put up. This was the real thing."

Making it official: When Jason's brother was married in July, Brandy and Jason knew that they, too, would tie the knot. Jason got things rolling by telling Brandy he was planning a late-August beach trip with friends who were turning 30 that year.

A well-thought-out proposal: Jason made condo and dinner reservations in Gulf Shores, Ala., set up a photographer for beach photos, contacted a florist and even made a manicure appointment for Brandy. "I honestly had no idea," she says.

A day to remember: On Aug. 25, right before heading out for their beach portrait, Jason surprised Brandy with a beautiful white strapless dress. Brandy still had no clue. On the beach, the photographer got Jason all set. While kneeling on one knee and with Brandy on the other, Jason began saying all sorts of nice things to Brandy. She quickly caught on. "She starts saying, 'Is this for real?' 'Yes, babe. It's for real.' " Jason turned to Tanner and said, "Tanner, can I marry your mom?" Tanner gave his blessing and Brandy tearfully accepted, which was caught on film.

No detail left out: At a romantic dinner for two that night, Brandy discovered red roses and lilies at their table, just like the first flowers Jason had sent her. The maitre d' then handed Brandy a gift. On top was a little inside joke: Jason's business card with "Will you marry me?" on the back. Inside the box: A framed poem that Brandy had written years before about the definition of love.

The big day: Jason and Brandy will marry June 9, 2007 in the church where they met.