Many Tyrone middle and high school students know about physical education teacher Marcus Owens recent marriage to fifth grade teacher Jenna Wray and their new baby girl, but not many know the story of their relationship.

Both graduated from Tyrone, Marcus in ‘97 and Jenna in ‘03, but they didn’t know each other until 2005.

Jenna moved away for college at Lock Haven, while Marcus had already earned his first degree from Penn State.

“I met Jenna through our mutual friends, Mike and Jody,” Marcus said.

After they began dating, Marcus moved to Lock Haven to earn his teaching degree and be closer to Jenna.

They dated for a little over a decade before getting engaged and married.

“I’m not really sure why I didn’t propose sooner. Things were going good [in our relationship] and we weren’t at a point financially to make the plunge,” Marcus said about dating for such a long time period without putting a ring on it.

Once he made the decision, he had to find the best way to pop the question.

“In order to surprise me (after dating for a LONG time) he hid the ring in the fridge. When I was up for something else, he asked me to grab him a drink. When I opened the drawer, the ring was sitting there. Then, he asked me to be his wife. He definitely surprised me,” said Jenna.

They tied the knot on June 11th, 2016 at the Good Shepherd Church in Tyrone. The reception was held at “The Columns” in Altoona.

“Jenna was a beautiful bride. The wedding was very nice. Both of our families get along very well,” said Margie Owens, Marcus’s mother. 

After three short months, Jenna was pregnant, but they didn’t know it at the time.

When she suspected her pregnancy, she took not one, but two home tests just to make sure.

“I was emailed a picture of a sonogram from Marcus. I was so excited; I couldn’t wait,” said Margie Owens about the news of the pregnancy.

The couple later told her parents over dinner, while telling his grandmother, dad, and aunt at a separate family dinner.

“We were both feeling excited and overwhelmed. Taking care of another human being is a huge responsibility!” Jenna said.

Along with all the struggles of parenthood, finding a name can be a challenge, especially as a teacher.

“Being a teacher, it’s tough to come up with names for your child. Jenna loved the name Eliana from years ago when one her college friends was looking for a name for her daughter. We narrowed it down to two names. When she was born, we looked at her [and knew that] it was an easy choice for us,” said Marcus.

Little Eliana Mae Owens was born on April 18th, 2017 at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College.

She weighed  7 pounds and 12 ounces and 19 inches long.

“She is tiny with a big personality. Eliana’s personality is already showing through at just shy of 6 months. She is strong willed, but sweet. She is so curious and soaks up everything around her like a sponge! I love watching her learn and grow. She has Marcus’ nose, but looks more like me when she smiles. We both hope she has his athleticism,” Jenna said.

When describing each other, Marcus said, “Jenna is compassionate, hardworking, smart, and most important, a terrific mother. She is everything a man could ask for in a partner.”

“Marcus is intelligent, loyal, funny and honest. He is always true to who he is and never puts on a front. I knew he was great years ago, but seeing him with Elle really demonstrates these qualities. He is such a great dad to our little girl,” said Jenna.

“They’re very good together and compliment one another. Marcus has become a better family man because of his wife and daughter. I’m very blessed with two amazing sons with nice wives and granddaughters,” said Margie Owens.

May the couple have many years of happiness with each other and baby Eliana.