Sorry, Jets fans, but Flight Crew member Jennifer is officially off the market. The 25-year-old dance enthusiast agreed to marry her boyfriend of 10 years this past summer, with wedding bells set to ring in July 2008.
"We were down in Florida and I had no idea he was proposing at all," Jennifer recalled when her boyfriend, Christopher, popped the question. "It was a shock and kind of unexpected — but it was great."
While all of you Jen fans may be heartbroken at this news, there is a very positive side to the story. Christopher (who goes by the nickname Mickey) is, according to her, a new Jets fan.
And from what enemy territory was he captured? Let's just say it's amazing what love can do.
"He was a Giants fan, but I converted him," she said with a laugh. "I'm his Jet."
Jen also happens to be a Fire Dancer for the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League and a New York Islanders Ice Girl.
But even though she has been performing since she was 7 years old, she is a lot more than just a professional dancer. She is pursuing her degree in elementary education so that one day she can become a full-time teacher.
After spending the last three years as a teacher's assistant, Jennifer has the passion and dedication needed to one day reach her goal. In fact, she is counting down the days until she can one day have a classroom all her own.
"Right now it's depressing that I wake up every day and don't see my little kids," she said. "But hopefully in a couple of years from now I'll be back at the school I have been working at.
"I love children, and it's such a rewarding experience," she added. "I have always grown up wanting to be a teacher. My mom got me into it because she was a teacher's assistant, too."
Her teaching background is in special education and she explains that the rewarding experience is "unbelievable." Some of her students were equally excited, especially when they found out last season that she was an Islanders Ice Girl and a Jets Flag Crew member.
"They think it's cool," said Jen, who has studied jazz, tap, ballet and point. "I used to work for the Islanders, too. They would go crazy over that when they saw me at the games and say, 'Oh, my goodness, that's my teacher!' "
As if her life didn't sound perfect enough, Jen is fortunate to have her best friend by her side every time she takes the field at the Meadowlands.
Meredith grew up just five minutes from Jen on eastern Long Island and they first met in dance class when they were little girls. Through the years they have spent time dancing with the Jets, Dragons and Islanders and have remained best of friends throughout.
"Its great having my best friend on the team. We're so lucky to be able to be doing this together," she explained. "We actually ended up being in a college class together and we've been inseparable ever since."
