NEWTON FALLS WEDDING Putting their stamp on love

By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
he post office has been pretty good to Ginny Miller and Tim Groff, so it shouldn't be that surprising the couple is getting married there.
The two-year courtship will culminate Friday with a 3:30 p.m. wedding ceremony at the Newton Falls Post Office, with Municipal Court Judge Thomas Old officiating.
Everything started a little more than two years ago, when Miller delivered mail on a city route that included Groff's apartment at the time. Groff, who works at Venture Plastics in the city, noticed Miller, who's been a carrier for about four years, a few times, and decided he wanted to know more about her.
"He came down to the post office and asked about me, but of course they wouldn't give him any information," Miller said.
Instead, Miller's co-workers told her Groff had asked about her. But at the time, she had no idea who he was.
"I went to the apartment manager and asked about him," she said. "But she said she didn't know him, only that he always paid his rent on time."
Getting a move on
Miller didn't think much of it, since she had a rule at the time that she wouldn't date anyone on her mail route. But one day, Groff's apartment manager caught her on her rounds.
"She told me he had turned in his 30-day notice, and he was moving," she said.
So Miller decided it was her turn to take some initiative. She left a note on Groff's door, asking him to call her if he was still interested in going out. He did, they did, and now, two years later, they plan to marry.
But even that decision has the post office involved.
"We talked about taking off, getting married, and not telling anyone until we got back," Groff said. "That was my idea."
But last fall, when the post office announced scheduled the release of a new stamp this week, those plans changed. Originally under the impression that the stamp would be about weddings, post office workers started talking about sponsoring an event where couples could come and renew their vows.
"I thought to myself, 'Better yet, let's have an actual wedding,'" Miller said.
Idea grew
Despite the fact that it turned out the stamp featured candy conversation hearts, the wedding idea grew, the couple said, and has taken on a life of its own.
Sharon Jarvis, a clerk at the Newton Falls Post Office, said Miller is so well-liked in the community that when people started hearing about the wedding, they wanted to help.
"It all snowballed," she said. "Businesses were making donations toward the wedding before we ever got a chance to ask them."
Ken's His and Hers Shop, Balloons N Things, Nussel's Florist, Posie Patch, Capriano's, Spiko's Giant Eagle, Digital Express, Simply Sweet Shoppe, Roby Lee's and Buckeye Welder have all donated merchandise or services toward the event.
The day starts around 11 a.m. with couples renewing their vows before the Rev. Fred Youngen of Windham Bible Church. Miller and Groff's ceremony will start at 3:30 p.m.
Joined by families
In attendance will be Groff's children -- 6-year-old Jeremy as the ringbearer and 17-year-old Aubrey in the audience -- as well as Miller's sons, 21-year-old Milford Adams and 20-year-old Jeremy Adams, who will walk her down the aisle, and her 20-year-old daughter, Jessica Adams will also be there. Miller's niece, 7-year-old Tessa Flattum, will serve as flower girl. The wedding marks the third marriage for both Miller and Groff.
"Third time's a charm," Miller said, laughing.
Who else will attend the service is anyone's guess, the couple said.
"I keep running into people who ask, 'Aren't you the one getting married?'" Miller said. "I don't even know a lot of them, but they say they are going to be there. It seems like the whole town may show up for this wedding."
Groff says he isn't surprised: He knows plenty of people throughout Newton Falls think highly of his fiancee.
"She's pretty popular," he said. "That's for sure."
slshaulis@vindy.com