NU alums get engaged at the Rock…Ross Grimes, October 24
It started during New Student Week of 1999. Now, seven years later but back at the Rock, Ross Grimes (Medill ‘03) proposed to Tiffany Berry (WCAS ‘03.)
“It felt like the perfect timing,” Grimes said. October 24 is their “anniversary.” “We met in Allison in 1999…we got into an argument and ambiguously started dating. There wasn’t really an exact date but we choose October 24,” Berry said.
Grimes and some of his friends arrived at the Rock Monday night to guard and paint. The paint color? Tiffany blue. On one side he painted the date 10/24, and “hey u” and “ilu” (I love you,) the two phrases they use as subject lines in emails to each other. On the other side, “Matthew 19:6,” a bible verse about marriage. And on the back, the big one: “Will you marry me?”
She said yes. Grimes surprised her by showing up with flowers at the school in Rogers Park where she teaches art. They went out to dinner and then to Northwestern. “We’re just going to take a trip down memory lane,” Grimes said. They walked through the arch and then Berry noticed the color of the Rock. It was a total surprise, she said, and she couldn’t stop smiling.
Berry and Grimes dated through their freshman and sophomore years but then broke up. Berry joined a campus bible study, life changed and they were no longer as close, she said. When they graduated, Berry stayed in Chicago and Grimes went back to his hometown of Atlanta.
Berry had wanted to do Teach for America in New York, but was placed in Chicago instead. Grimes went back to his hometown Atlanta for an internship, but a job opened up in Chicago and he moved back.
“God put us together and did this,” Berry said. The two reconnected when they began attending the same church in fall 2003, but the timing wasn’t right for a relationship then, they said. Berry and Grimes are both religious Christians and this is part of what brought them together. While they’ve known each other and have been dating on and off for seven years, they only officially started dating again within the last month.
“We tried to go other places and do other things, but we kept finding each other over and over,” Grimes said.
The couple would like to get married next summer at Alice Millar Chapel.
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Congrats Ross, way to do the thang!!!
-B-
October 25, 2006 at 9:49 am
Time keeps on moving! Congratulations. More history being made.
Malik
October 25, 2006 at 11:05 am
Congratulations to both you and Tiffany. I cannot believe that you have grown up to be such a lovely man!!! I am so very proud of you.
S
October 25, 2006 at 4:12 pm
A big step for a great guy with a bright future. Congrats to you both with lots of love from Stephanie and I. Peace.
Uncle Chuck
October 25, 2006 at 7:20 pm
CONGRATS Cuz!!!! I’m so happy for you, and I can’t wait to meet your bride-to-be. First Jewel, now you….which Preston is next??? lol
Wade
October 25, 2006 at 9:11 pm
Congratulations Ross and Tiffany!! Can’t wait to meet your beloved. Hope to see you both over Thanksgiving.
Alison Woods
October 25, 2006 at 11:16 pm
Tiffany and Ross, This is the coolest! Ross I know you’ve been around but I am officially welcoming you to the Family. Love you Both!
Cousin Diane
October 26, 2006 at 1:30 am
I am so happy for both of you. My prayers and best wishes are with you always! Congratulations!
Linda Shepherd
Linda S. Shepherd
October 26, 2006 at 6:57 am
Congrats’ to both of you.
Ross I’m sure you know how lucky you are. Tiffany’s a very special young woman.
I should know, she’s my niece!!! Love to both of you. Aunt Bev
Beverly Warren
October 26, 2006 at 10:52 am
Thanks to everyone for their warm wishes and support. God is good!!! We can’t believe all the love everyone is showing. We’ll keep you posted on dates & developments … thanks so much for taking the time out to celebrate what’s to come!
Ross & Tiffany
October 26, 2006 at 11:28 am
Congrat’s!!!!
TIffany I am so happy for u. Ross your bride to be is a very special young lady and I am so happy u did the right thing.
Margie Broadway
October 26, 2006 at 2:53 pm
Greetings little Tiff, of all the college kids, you seem to have been my favorite. You are so sweet, and since you all took your time, I am sure God is in the midst of this.
And Ross, I can see how you are looking God-ward for the way to go.
So stay strong in The Lord the both of you, and the blessings of The Lord be upon you.
And Tiff, I am still praying for your mother.
Dea Tyree & Elmira
October 26, 2006 at 3:05 pm
We haven’t said it yet, but thank you to North by Northwestern for chronicling our special night. We didn’t even solicit this coverage, but its been invaluable in helping us spread the news to our family and friends. Thank you so much , this truly was a gift from God.
Ross & Tiffany
October 26, 2006 at 4:12 pm
Congrats to both of you…can’t wait to see you exchange those vows.
Be blessed forever!
Min. Foster
October 26, 2006 at 6:49 pm
We just wanted to say Congrats to the both of you. We saw it coming like a bright light because you two were made for each other. Also because Ross is always cheesing when he’s around you T.B. We love you and we hope happiness dwells in your lives forever.
Rika and Patrice
October 26, 2006 at 10:09 pm
That is indeed a great thing!
Congrats big and lil homies!
Akili
October 27, 2006 at 6:43 pm
We just wanted to say Congrats to the both of you and Welcome to the family Ross.
Dawn, Darrell, Mia, and Jayson
October 28, 2006 at 7:12 pm
Tiff and Ross: I am extremely happy for both of you. I definitely feel that God is in this to-be union. Welcome Ross to the family. Hugs, kisses and prayers. Aunt Lo
Aunt Lo
October 28, 2006 at 9:47 pm
Hey Cuz! I’m sooo excited. Congrats on your engagement! I know your future hold big things.
Jewel
October 29, 2006 at 10:42 am
what a wonderful life you both will have. All our Love and Support from Metroploitan Apostolic Community Church.
Janice Sidney
October 29, 2006 at 12:46 pm
Congrats Ross and Double T to the B. It’s amazing to see God’s plan for your relationship unfolding. It’s a love story almost as beautiful as ours. We love you. Walk into your season.
Love
Kenneth and LaSandra Hutchinson
Kenneth and LaSandra
October 29, 2006 at 8:42 pm
CONGRATULATION!!
Words can’t exspress how happy I’am for you both.
Kelly Boose
October 30, 2006 at 1:49 pm
God is Great and Greatly to be be Praised. May God forever bless you both.
CONGRATULATION!
BKing
Grannybb
November 1, 2006 at 11:57 am
Hey Tiff! Congratulations 2 the Both of You! Tiff, thnx 4 bein such a perfect of wat I aspire 2 become in the yrs. 2 come! Ross, welcome 2 the Family & b good 2 my cuzn, She’s an English woman….and we all are Jewels!
Khallilah
November 11, 2006 at 4:58 pm
I am so excited for the two of you. God is so good. Well, here’s to another wedding in Chicago. Love you both and thanks for showing me a great time!
Tisa
Tisa
November 12, 2006 at 9:21 pm
Tiffany and Ross:
Congratulations and Best Wishes to the both of you. I am so happy you all deserve each other. I knew it was only a matter of time when I met Ross at Yale. You all are a match truly made in heaven. God bless you and your life together. I can’t wait to get my invitation to the wedding.
Kelly
Kelly
November 13, 2006 at 5:18 pm
Congratulations to the both of you! Tiffany you are a jewel and I appreciate you mentoring my daughter Kelly. I can not wait for the great day. Love, Renee
Renee Williams
November 21, 2006 at 3:40 pm
so happy for you both. I am glad to have seen the outline of this all unfold. I know there have been ups and downs, and you guys didn’t exactly go through this on parallel paths, but I feel like those closest to Ross knew that his heart was always owned by Tiffany and I am glad that God made it all work out. Many blessings to you both!
EEP
November 24, 2006 at 1:24 am
this is mi mi sayin congrats to you two. and Ross if you lay a hand on her I got my wholr swat team.lol :)
Mia and Jayson
December 12, 2006 at 11:38 am
Wow!!What a wonderful surprise for us anyway..Congratulations Ross and Tiffany!! It’s been amazing to see Ross bud from child into a gentleman. Looks like you pick a “gem” Ross. How smart of you to choose beauty in two folds..(inner and outer ) We’re overjoyed to see that you’ve already started to build your relationship on the ROCK!!!…ROCK
steady! We love you!! ~Corkey & Monette
Corkey Williams
December 20, 2006 at 8:45 am
I was Ross’s girlfriend in high school and I always knew he would end up being such a great guy. You are very lucky Tiffany.Congratulations!! All the best to the both of you. God Bless.
Keeley
June 30, 2009 at 9:27 am