Tammy has wanted to get married at Funks Grove for as long as she can remember.  Throughout the years she has been connected to the magical place in many ways.  While Tammy was growing up, her grandparents gave her family pure maple sirup from Funks Grove every Easter making pancakes extra special.  Tammy's Grandpa took her to visit the Funk Gem and Mineral Museum to help her to fulfill a requirement for a badge for Girl Scouts.  Now Tammy visits her grandfather and great grandparents who are buried at the adjacent cemetery.

As a teacher, Tammy has often taken her students to the Funk Prairie Home and Gem and Mineral Museum.  The students learn a lot of Illinois History.  They also see examples of many of the rocks and minerals that are studied in science.  One February, her students participated in the The Academy of Maple Sirup.  They tapped maple trees and learned to make real maple sirup. 

For one of Tammy's final projects for a Masters degree, she worked with Susan Kirby, a local Illinois author, and member of the Funk Family.  Tammy put together a website based on her American Quilts children's series.  In return Mrs. Kirby has visited Tammy's class several times.

During the summer of 2002, Tammy worked at Sugar Grove Nature Center at Funks Grove.  She was the "Meeter and Greeter."  While she waited for visitors, she created pamphlets and trail guides.  She also put together much of their website, http://www.funksgrove.org/.

Jason first visited Funks Grove after he met Tammy and they had been dating for awhile.  He appreciates Tammy's love for the Funks Grove area and is excited to be getting married in the little church.  Jason likes the pure maple sirup now too. 

The night that Jason proposed, Tammy got on the Funks Grove website to see check the availability of the church.  August 6th was the only Saturday free the next summer.  It was fate.  Tammy was going to marry the "man of her dreams" in the "wedding of her dreams."