Vice President and Dean of Students Jerry Parker’s love for Drake University and its students runs deep, but before Jerry began his love affair with Drake, he embarked on another love story: one that led him to his wife.
“We met on Match.com, which was the ‘cool thing’ to do back in 2009,” said Michelle Parker, Jerry Parker’s wife of almost 14 years.
The couple’s first date was at an Italian restaurant in Iowa City called Monica’s — but the date took a drastic turn near the end.
“Little did we know that a snowstorm was about to start ahead of schedule, and it ended up taking me two hours to drive back to [Mount] Pleasant,” Jerry Parker recalled.
Despite the stormy start to their relationship, Jerry Parker, then a professor at Iowa Wesleyan, and Michelle, a nurse at the University of Iowa hospital, went on a second date — Michelle Parker’s idea — and have since been together for 16 years.
Michelle Parker may have prompted their second date, but Jerry Parker pulled out all the stops for the question that would determine the rest of their lives. Michelle Parker returned from visiting her best friend in Africa for two weeks to an apartment decorated with rose petals and Jerry Parker down on one knee, ring in hand.
“Luckily, she said yes, or that would have been awkward for the both of us that night,” Jerry Parker said.
Michelle Parker shares jokes when asked about how their proposal went down.
“As Jerry [Parker] likes to tell it, he knew the only way I would say yes is if he proposed to me [while I was] jet lagged coming home from a trip to Africa,” Michelle Parker said. “I always joke to people when they ask me why I said yes [is] because Jerry is the only one that asked me.”
Jerry Parker, who has been at Drake since 2014, and Michelle Parker, now a cardiovascular nurse with UnityPoint in Des Moines, are parents to Ben Parker, 10, and Josie Parker, eight. They welcomed their most recent addition to the family, a rescue puppy named Max who was found wandering around Waukee, last summer.
The couple couldn’t name one specific favorite memory of their many years together and instead opted to celebrate the time they get to share.
“There have been so many memories — good ones and tough ones — as is the case with every relationship. So, I’ll agree with what Michelle [Parker] says,” Jerry Parker said.
Michelle Parker spotlighted the highlight of when life with two kids slows down.
“For me, it’s having time for the two of us. Life can get so chaotic, especially with kids, jobs, etc., so when it’s just us, spending time together creates the best memories,” Michelle Parker added.
However, Jerry and Michelle Parker are reminded that the ordinary way in which they got together contributes to the extraordinary way in which they stay together. They weren’t looking for each other when they found exactly what they needed.
“Go on dates, enjoy time with your close friends and family and eventually you will find love,” Michelle Parker said.
Jerry and Michelle Parker agreed that college isn’t about finding love. There’s a right time for everything.
“Let love find you, not the other way around. Be with someone that doesn’t take themselves too seriously and makes you laugh more than you cry,” Jerry Parker said.
