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Dierdre and Ross, now 30 and 31 respectively, met in eighth grade, when they were in the same class at Springton Lake Middle School and lived in Media. They became instant friends and hung out with the same group of people all through high school.

"We were always kind of interested in each other," Dierdre said. "We danced together at the eighth-grade formal." The summer between their junior and senior years in high school, both were among 30 students who took a "cultural experience" trip to Europe. In two weeks, Dierdre and Ross saw England, Belgium, France, Italy, Austria, and Germany. That is, when they weren't too busy ogling each other.

Alas, the romance was of the summer-only variety.

After graduation, Dierdre was off to Babson College in Wellesley, Mass. Ross started at James Madison University and finished at Thaddeus Stevens College, in Lancaster. Between their junior and senior years of college, they started dating again.

If you see a pattern emerging, you're right. Each returned to college as a single person, although they stayed in touch as friends.

After graduation, Dierdre went to Australia for a year to study aboriginal art on a grant from her college. When she returned to Media in July 2001, she found that Ross also was living in the area. Before long, they were constantly in each other's company.

Dierdre soon found those old feelings welling up again. But she was cautious this time. "I thought, 'I'm not going to hook up with Ross just for fun. Either I'm in this 100 percent or I better not do anything,' " she said.

By February, Dierdre was done thinking. "At that point in time, if Ross would have me, he would be the one that I married. I knew that he was the one I wanted to be with," she said.

No, she did not share those thoughts with Ross.

Instead, the two made a bet on the Super Bowl. She picked the Patriots, he the Rams. When the Patriots won, Ross took Dierdre out for ice cream. Afterward, they went to her parents' house, sat on the couch, and switched on the TV.

"I just laid one on him," Dierdre said. Even as their lips met, a little panicky voice inside Dierdre's head began to say, "Oh, no! What have I done?"

After the kiss, Ross said: "It's been awhile! That was nice!" Ross never thought the Rams would actually beat the Patriots. He just wanted to take Dierdre out for ice cream.

How does forever sound?

On a warm February day in 2008, Ross and Dierdre went to Longwood Gardens - one of their favorite places - for an orchid festival.

Every time they set foot in Longwood, Dierdre tried, unsuccessfully, not to wonder whether she would get a proposal. No proposal ever came, and she told herself it wouldn't come this time, either.

As they walked through the meadow behind the Italian Garden area, Dierdre noticed that Ross had picked up a piece of vine and was playing with it.

"Here, I got this for you!" he told her, and handed her the vine, which he had fastened into the shape of a ring.

Dierdre admits she was a bit miffed. "Not only is he not going to propose, but he's teasing me with this pretend ring," she thought. But she played along, albeit sarcastically. "It's awesome!" she said, showing him that it was way too big even for her thumb.

Ross pulled out a real ring. "Maybe this will fit better," he said.

At home

The couple live in Glen Mills.

At work