Patch Announces 'How We Met' Contest Winners: See Who Wooed Your Patch

Two weeks ago, Patch editors in Orland Park, Tinley Park and Oak Forest . We hoped you wouldn't leave out any of the mushy stuff, in honor of Valentine's Day. The first place winner receives a $75 Lettuce Entertain You gift card, with the runner-up receiving a $25 card. Patch will contact the winners to arrange prize hand-off.

Read the top two entries below.

First Place

My husband Ray and I went on our first date in November of 1970. We met while I was working at a bank where he was a customer. On Feb. 14, 1971, we were at his parents' home and my parents were also there. He gave me a fancy box of Fannie Mae candy.  I thanked him. He insisted that I open the box. I didn’t want to open it because I knew it was candy. I asked do want some candy and he said yes.  Well, inside the box of candy was the engagement ring. That’s why I needed to open the box. Ray proposed and we got engaged. What a wonderful surprise! I didn’t expect that at all. The family was also very excited. That was forty years ago this year. We were married in May of 1972 and we will be celebrating our thirty-ninth anniversary this May. Valentine’s Day continues to be a very special day for us.  

— Susan & Ray Galassi of Orland Park

Runner-up

As a St. Louis native, I never imagined the search for my soul mate would take me to Chicago.  Yet, on March 1, 2007, I discovered his wonderful profile on Match.com after having expanded my search to include the Chicago area.  So, I initiated contact, and the next morning, I anxiously checked my e-mail hoping to find a response from him. He came through, and so began our whirlwind romance!  We chatted via e-mail for two weeks and then on the phone for the next two weeks and set up our first date for April Fool’s Day.  He awoke early that Sunday and drove to St. Louis! I felt like I had known him my entire life, and our face-to-face meeting reinforced that feeling. I took him to the Missouri Botanical Gardens, where we walked and talked for hours.  He professed his love to me and told me he wanted to marry me. I was breathlessly overwhelmed! After dinner with my parents, he drove back to Chicago that night, not getting home until 2:30 a.m.  After many flights and drives between Chicago and St. Louis, he “officially” proposed on Valentine's Day 2008, and we got married Nov. 15, 2008.  About a month after our fabulous Hawaiian honeymoon, I moved to Chicago, and I am as happy as anyone could be when they find their soul mate!"

— Melissa & Peter Oprisko of Orland Hills