Juli and Dan Cronin: Romantic meal for two

Sometimes, the mere mention of a man cooking is enough to spoil a surprise.

Juli Cronin says that’s what happened in October 1991 when her then-boyfriend Dan Cronin invited her over for a Columbus Day dinner at his Elmhurst home.

At the time, Dan was a rising star in the DuPage County Republican Party who was making a name for himself as a freshman state representative. But his strength was in working the Illinois House floor — not cooking a romantic meal for two.

So when Dan said he was going to make her dinner, Juli recalls: “That was a red flag for me. I thought, ‘Oh, something is really up here.’”

By the time she walked into the house and saw the interior decorated with red streamers, there was no doubt in Juli’s mind a marriage proposal was coming. But first, the couple enjoyed the “very good” meal Dan prepared.

“It was a little awkward,” Juli said, “because you know what’s coming. You’re almost like, ‘OK, let’s get on with it.’”

Once the dessert — ice cream with strawberries — was done, Dan got down on one knee.

“He had the ring and the whole thing,” Juli recalled.

And yes, even an experienced lawyer and politician gets a case of the jitters.

“I think he was very nervous,” Juli said. “It was something he took very seriously. He obviously thought about it for a while.”

This May, the Cronins will celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary. They have four children: Elizabeth, Sarah, Grace and Danny.

Juli said she learned early on what it’s like to have a significant other in politics. For most of the two years that the couple dated, Juli worked on Dan’s campaign to become a state representative. That included knocking on doors and attending events.

“If you can go through that, that’s the test of a relationship for sure,” she said. “There were heated moments and joyful moments.”

When the couple married in May 1992, Dan had to be in session a few days later. So they spent their first week of married life in Springfield — not on some tropical honeymoon getaway.

Still, Juli says the experience has been interesting. After spending a single term in the House, Dan moved to the state Senate in 1993, where he served until becoming chairman of the DuPage County Board in December.

“You meet some wonderful people and get exposed to a lot,” Juli said. “It really has made our lives — and our children’s lives — richer. The ability to serve and to help people is a lucky thing.”