Proposal at Steamboat
In the winter, you can either find me skiing with high school friends, college friends, and most recently, work friends. My high school skiing friends and I have gone on many trips across the East every winter for years now. Like most of my skier friends, Chris learned how to ski at a young age from his parents. I would often talk to Chris’ dad about ski trips out West that he has gone on before, the trips that I have taken, and any trips we were planning.
Jeff grew up skiing. He attributes much of his skill to going to the University of Colorado at Boulder. I love hearing his stories about all of the weekend trips he took with his friends to mountains in Colorado and Utah. After college, he began to work at International Business Machines.
As he moved up the ranks and moved locations a few times, he met a woman named Gerri at IBM in Austin, TX. Gerri also grew up skiing, so naturally they went on many ski trips together. Jeff and Gerri were both a little older when they met. They were both waiting for the perfect person for them to come along. After dating for a while, they both knew they had found their person.
Jeff later told me about the time he proposed to his wife Gerri. We were relaxing in the basement of the Painter house and I noticed a picture of Jeff and Gerri posing on a ski slope with breathtaking mountains behind them. I motioned to the picture and asked where it was taken.
Jeff turned, smiled, and reached for the framed photograph. Picking it up he said, “This was taken a long time ago. It was the day I proposed to Gerri at Steamboat.” For context, Steamboat Ski Resort is located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Specifically, it is located in Northwestern Colorado on Mount Werner.
He proceeded to tell me that Gerri was very eager to get married to the man of her dreams. Luckily for her, Jeff had already purchased a stunning ring to match her personality. He also had already received the blessings of Gerri’s parents. Jeff and Gerri were at the top of Steamboat stopped near a tree when Gerri decided to take action.
“She held me up against a tree with one hand while the other hand was holding up her ski pole with the sharp tip in front of my chest. She said in that moment, ‘Jeffery Painter, if you don’t propose to me right now I’m going to spear you to that tree!’ I laughed and gladly proposed to Gerri.” Jeff told me, “Things worked out nicely”.
Gerri was a successful woman in every facet of her life. She was an accomplished young professional at IBM for many years. When she met Jeff, she became a wonderful wife, and an amazing mother to three children. I personally became good friends with her oldest son, Chris. I am so blessed to know Chris and his wonderful family. Our families became close as well and enjoyed many days on Cayuga Lake together in the summer. Gerri loved skiing, but also became very fond of days at the lake with the sun beating down and a glass of wine in her hand.
Unfortunately, Gerri passed away last year after battling cancer for 12 years. She is greatly missed everyday. I will forever be grateful for all of the memories I had of being in her vibrant presence. She has left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her. I am blessed to have known her.
In loving memory of Gerri Painter.
Posted with permission from Jeff Painter.
