20 Apr 2015 Couples: The Merritts

HIM   Ronnie Merritt

Native of: Quitman

Education: Associate’s degree in machine tool technology from University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton.

Job: Manufacturing engineer at Dassault Falcon Jet.

Parents: Tommy and Joyce Merritt.

Hobbies/special interests: Show cars and trucks. I have been a member of the Relaxed Atmosphere car and truck club for the last five years. We enjoy traveling all over the U.S., attending shows and seeing some amazing custom builds. I also enjoy working on my own truck.

How would you describe yourself: Quiet and reserved but determined.

Favorite restaurant in the 501: Pasta Grill.

Most enjoyed weekend activity: I enjoy detailing cars most weekends and spending time at home with my family. Also several weekends out of the year we attend truck and car shows, which I love because we get to see a lot of our friends from all over the country and see some really nice vehicles.

Favorite quote: “Never say more than is necessary.”

What do you love about living in the 501: I love everything being so close and convenient yet it still has a small town feel.

HER   Jessica (Adams) Merritt

Native of: Greenbrier

Education: Bachelor’s degree in health science and radiography.

Job: Imaging technologist specializing in mammography at Conway Regional Health System for the last 10 years. I am also an independent designer with Origami Owl Living Lockets.

Parents: Roland and Cindy Adams of Greenbrier.

Community activities: I’m a baseball mom! I’ve always loved the sport, and it’s even more fun to watch my son play. And a lot of the time it’s with kids of my friends I grew up with. His little brother has already started getting in on practicing, too, even though he has a couple years before he starts playing.

Church activities: Springhill Baptist Church, Awanas cubbie secretary, but I’m pretty much involved in all activities with the children’s ministry in some capacity.

Hobbies/special interests: I love to read, craft when time allows and weightlifting.

How would you describe yourself: I am giving and have a big heart. I will give anything I can to whoever needs it. Most would say I have trouble saying no! I am a pretty determined person and a hard worker. If you tell me I can’t, I must then prove you wrong!

Favorite restaurant in the 501: Hands down Pasta Grill for my favorite comfort food, shrimp and grits.

Most enjoyed weekend activity: Just not having plans! We are so busy with work, school, church, baseball and truck shows, a free weekend to let the boys play and get a few things accomplished around the house feels great.

Favorite quote: “You’re only human. You don’t have to have it together every minute of every day.” — Anne Hathaway

What do you love about living in the 501: Small town living. I have just about everything I could need access to within 30 minutes of my house. My kids have an amazing school district to grow and learn in (same one I went to K-12). Don’t get me wrong, I love visiting big cities, but a simple life suits me just as well.

THEM   

City: Greenbrier

How we met: Many mutual friends wanted to set us up, but it just never worked out. Then we ended up in the same company one night (thanks Ricky!) and he walked me out to my car when I was leaving to ask for my phone number (no one believes that part because he was so shy).

The proposal: Christmas morning in 2003. The ring was inside a jewelry armoire he had bought me. He asked me to look inside to make sure he got the right one. He then asked me to marry him in front of my family on video.

Wedding bells: March 12, 2005, at Springhill Baptist Church.

Children: Six-year-old Hayden and 3-year-old Hudson.

Pets: Zeke, our sweet rescued miniature schnauzer.

Family activities enjoyed together: Baseball in the backyard, jumping on the trampoline and going to watch dirt track racing and monster trucks.