Once upon a time in the laugh-filled halls of the Blue Room Comedy Club, a series of fortunate events unfolded. Twas’ a cold, icy night on February 25th, 2022 & the first-ever “Tanner’s Terrible Tavern Tour” ensued – an event Jana and Broseph, Tanner Johnson concocted. Jana, seizing a night of freedom from motherhood, joined Tanner/unintentional Cupid, along with a few other friends on a quest for laughs and bar hopping downtown Springfield.
As the stars aligned, Nick, fashionably late, missed the stand-up routine but stood out in the crowd. When Jana and her crew decided to duck out early for a quick libation, fate nudged her straight towards Nick. He was the only one in the group whom Jana had not met! With confidence and intrepidity, Jana waltzed up & introduced herself. And Nick, well, let’s just say he didn’t need a punchline to be struck by her presence.
The night rolled on, and tavern lights blurred into laughter, drinks, and jest. Jana, ever the responsible adult (or so she tells herself), called her Uber chariot, bidding the night adieu. Meanwhile, Nick, now under Jana’s spell, sought out Tanner and his now-wife Vanessa (whom Jana had set up and takes FULL credit for their marriage) for insights on this enigmatic lady. Tanner, part-time matchmaker, and full-time name pronunciation coach, advised Nick to start by getting her name right (it’s pronounced YAWN-A).
But the tale doesn’t pause there. A few nights later, at Jana’s monthly Business Mixer, where connections were made, and futures were written, Nick decided to attend alongside Tanner. Jana, ever the bold spirit, and intrigued by this gentleman who kept finding himself in her circles threw caution to the wind and asked Nick, “When are you going to ask me on a date?” A question that would change the course of their story.
Another few days passed when Tanner & Nick found themselves at Jana’s doorstep where Mia, the ever-watchful protector of her mother, gave them a crash course in “How to Use Chopsticks 101.” While Nick struggled to operate the Asian cutlery, they all indulged in “Indo Mee,” a SE Asian dish that’s been a staple in Jana and Mia’s lives for years.
Nick, ever the strategist, knew that he had to gain Mia’s favor – not an easy task – for she held & still holds the key to Jana’s heart. He brought Mia flowers which immediately knocked down her barriers & won her over. Mia has always been defensive of her mother, but Nick had dashed all concerns she had of him. Bribery, it would seem, was an intelligent tactic. As the night went on, filled with games and giggles, Jana, being the responsible adult yet again, sent Tanner and Nick packing at the stroke of nine – because, well, it was a school night.
Fast forward through time and laughter to the next Tavern Tour on March 18th, 2022, where Jana and Nick found themselves spending the evening wrapped in conversation and shared smiles, neglecting all others who’d joined them. Jana was drawn to Nick, his conversation, humor & “pimp limp” – a loving reference to his unnatural gait.
After all, Jana has never requested just anyone to ask her out – it takes a special person, someone who has that X-factor that she seeks out in all areas of her life. Unbeknownst to her, Nick had that special something she was looking for.
The very next day, over coffee and an almost-shared donut (Jana was still vetting this captivating gentleman who offered to split his pastry with her), they wove their narratives tighter. Jana, with her keen sense of judgment, was still weighing the sanity of this character who she was drawn to but had reservations about despite his gaining her daughter’s approval.
Then, like a scene from a classic rom-com, that following Friday, March 25th, 2022 they ventured on their first official date to Flame, a high-end restaurant – at least for Springfield. There, amidst the flickering candles and the perfect steak, they found themselves inseparable. There was not a day that would pass when they wouldn’t see each other. It was the beginning of an endless ‘Tavern Tour’ of their own – one filled with laughter, culinary adventures, and yes, even properly shared donuts. The rest, as they say, is history.
And as they step onto the grand stage of life together, they invite you to hold your applause until the end, for this… this is just the intermission. The best is yet to come.