Like many other Oles who went on to get married, ours is a love story…

We met on a J-term trip to Budapest, Hungary, in January 1999. In the fall of 1998, Jon joined planning meetings with Professor Cliff Corzatt and other mathematics J-term prospective students. As Jon scanned the room, his feelings were mixed. Although he knew a number of other students interested in the trip, he was hoping to meet a “special someone” while traveling abroad. The sheer numbers were not in his favor. Chris was not in attendance during Professor Corzatt’s planning meeting, as she was thinking about joining a different J-term trip with the Economics Department. As fate would have it, some other guys planning on the Budapest trip convinced Chris, a double major in math and econ, to join the Budapest trip instead. Their motive? Perhaps one or more of them had a crush on Chris, but another reason was that they were seeking a “travel agent” for the week in between J-term and second semester. Chris fit the bill.

Jon was seeking any takers for the week after J-term for those on the Budapest trip interested in skiing in the Alps. Meanwhile, Chris was planning a trip for a few others to visit Prague. When no one answered Jon’s email and he got wind of the other group planning a trip to Prague, he asked if he could tag along. He was told to go talk with Chris Brekke, the organizer of the trip. Chris had a connection for an apartment rental in Prague and was reluctant to add any more people to the train and apartment booking she had already made. Somehow, Chris’s heart was warmed (we won’t know if it was Jon’s good looks or his credit card that changed her mind), and Jon was begrudgingly welcomed onto the Prague post–J-term trip.

On the long-haul flight over to Budapest, Jon and Chris sat next to each other. More than 25 years later, Jon still gets electricity and warmth in being next to Chris! Jon proposed to Chris on May 2, 2000, with a series of riddles that led Chris to special places on the St. Olaf campus that represented mind (the Math Department), body (Skoglund Athletic Center), and spirit (Boe Chapel). Jon asked Chris for her hand in marriage on the bridge over the Cannon River in downtown Northfield.

As they celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in August 2025, Jon and Chris are thankful for many special places on the Hill and for the love they share for each other.

Oles Can, Oles Will!