El Salvador RPCVs Jim and Julie McLaughlin find romance in Peace Corps
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Runaway romance of US students HIGHLAND FLING:
TWO American students followed an old English custom by eloping to Gretna Green.
Jim and Julie McLaughlin, both 27, held their wedding ceremony and then dashed back to Manchester before returning to their college lectures.
They met a year ago when they were working on earthquake relief with the America Peace Corps in El Salvador.
Then Jim got a place on a Masters' course at the Manchester Business School and Julie arranged to follow him to England.
Julie , said: "We were in a bar in Washington DC when I asked Jim how many days it was going to be before we got married.
"He didn't hesitate for a second. He just said 164, so that meant it would be January 18.
"I knew we would be in Manchester so we spoke to our parents and they were happy.
"Then when we came here we heard about Gretna Green and thought it was a romantic idea."
The couple are planning a blessing when they get back to America after finishing their courses.
After the ceremony on Saturday morning they drove back to Manchester for Jim's college ball that substituted for a reception.
Jim, from Seattle, said: "Because we are students we can't afford a lot, but this way it has been special. I was so relieved when Julie said she didn't want a diamond engagement ring.
"Because of her studies on conflict management she has heard about the diamond trade funding wars, so when I have more money I will buy her an emerald ring.
"For the last two days I have been a nervous wreck but now it's back to lectures as normal. It has all been so surreal."
Julie, from North Carolina, said: "My closest friends are all in the states but everyone here has been so good about making it feel special.
"We went on stag and hen nights last week and some of Jim's friends got us a cake. It has been lovely and so relaxed." More Stories on Peace Corps Volunteers who served in El Salvador
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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - El Salvador; Special Intersts - Romance
