Third Grade Crush Leads to 10 Year Anniversary
The article below was written by Rosemary Schmitz Martinez and shared in the MIS Messenger in 2010. We share it today it in honor of St. Valentine’s Day and because it is a sweet love story that began in a 3rd grade classroom at Mary Immaculate School.
They may be the opening lyrics to one of George Strait’s “Check Yes Or No” song, but for MIS Alumni Michelle Nienhiser and Phillip Yager it really did “start way back in third grade.” Michelle was enrolled at MIS in the fall of 1989 where she began her 9 year journey in Mrs. Heath’s afternoon class. Three years later, in the fall of 1992, Phillip joined her at the very end of the elementary hall in Mrs. Sherry McCord’s 3rd grade classroom. It was the year the girls’ jumpers went from navy to red and the boys’ shorts from navy to gray. It was the classroom where they learned about static electricity, where they would debut their pueblos, where they were drilled on their times tables, and — unbeknownst to them at the time — where Phillip would someday ask Michelle to marry him.
In the fall of 1992, 3C teacher Mrs. Sherry McCord introduced Phillip to the class. She paired him with a buddy, Brian Wolf, with whom she was confident would take Phillip under his wing and show him around the school. Brian introduced Phillip to his friends, sat with him in the cafeteria at lunchtime and played with him on the playground at recess. Michelle recalls their brotherly bond. Her strongest memory of Phillip at MIS occurred one afternoon in 3C. The class was diligently working on a quiet activity when Brian Wolf announced Amazing Alumni Adventures loudly for all to hear “What, Phillip? You have a crush on Michelle Nienhiser?” Michelle claims her face turned beat red upon hearing this. She was mortified and didn’t have the courage to even face Phillip until middle school.
The two went on to take part in all of the Mary Immaculate experiences…together. Michelle and Phillip remained in the same classroom throughout their time at MIS, until 8th grade when they were finally assigned to different homerooms.
The two lost touch after graduating from 8th grade in 1998. Michelle enrolled in R.L. Turner High School’s Academy for Biomedical Professions in Carrollton and Phillip joined the marching band at Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas. The two earned their diplomas in 2002 and continued to advance themselves academically. Michelle attended Texas A&M University in College Station, TX and earned her degree in Biomedical Sciences, while Phillip continued his drumming talents at Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, TX. He later transferred to Oklahoma University in Norman, OK where he earned his degree in Supply Chain Management. They were polished, educated and ready to begin their careers.
In the summer of 2008, fellow classmate Beth Beste organized an informal MIS 10 Year Class Reunion at the horse races where another classmate, Scott McCurry, performed his musical talents. About 10 alumni met at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie on July 11, 2008 to celebrate, enjoy each other’s company, reminisce on MIS memories and simply catch up on life. This is where Phillip and Michelle took a liking to one another and went on their first date only days later.
Nearly two years later on May 29, 2010, Phillip planned to take Michelle out to dinner one evening after attending Saturday mass at Mary Immaculate Church. At the conclusion of mass, Phillip took Michelle to revisit their original meeting place, 3C. Although doubting the school would be unlocked, Michelle walked hand-in-hand with Phillip down their elementary hallway. It was dark and there was only one light on at the end of the hall, right outside Mrs. Sherry McCord’s classroom. Phillip turned the knob and said “It’s open! Should we go inside?” Michelle agreed. To her surprise, there were three desks pushed together in the middle of the room with two 8x10 photos of them from 3rd grade, a floral arrangement, flower petals and votive candles. Still oblivious to what was about to happen, Michelle was touched by the sweet gesture Phillip had somehow set-up for her.
It only took a few moments for Phillip to tell Michelle that he loved her and wanted to grow old with her. He dropped to one knee and right there, where they met 18 years ago, asked Michelle to marry him. Shocked and overwhelmed with joy, Michelle accepted his ring and proposal. With a swift move to his pocket remote, Phillip queued the music and the two danced.
After explaining himself and how he’s been planning this moment for six months, Phillip requested Michelle wave to the camera, as the entire proposal was caught on video. The video camera was planted in the room by his “helpers:” Michelle’s sisters Cheryl and Julie, as well as the couple’s 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Sherry McCord.
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The couple celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary this past November. They currently live in Frisco where they are active in their parish. They have two daughters: Charlotte (7) and Lorelei (5). They are MIS Class of 1998 graduates.