MERIDIAN, Idaho — A simple game in Meridian served up more than just fun.
It lobbed together two people who fell in love.
Jean and John Wasden are regulars at Meridian Homecourt and while a back injury has John sitting the bench, it's not slowing them down in the name of love.
The approach shot in this Pickleball love story was a legendary kiss and it changed the game for this couple.
In pickleball, finding a good partner on the court is the key to success.
For Jean and John, it was a match on the court, and off.
"Is he a nice guy or is he a nice guy," said Jean. "Our first date, he asked me out to lunch and my granddaughter was with me playing pickleball so he took us out to lunch."
Pickleball is where it started and while John didn't want to get married, a first kiss changed everything.
"It was electrifying," John said.
John didn't take his eye off the ball.
"He kissed me as I was walking him out to his truck and then when we got in the truck we kissed again, and he really liked it so we got out of his truck and came into my house," said Jean. "It was really nice."
You could say he scored, locking in the win at a pickleball game one week later.
"She said you betcha," said John.
"I said yes," said Jean.
The two were engaged, which lead to Monday, their wedding at the same place they met, Homecourt.
"We wanted it to be fun and light and not stressful for anybody, just have fun and that's exactly what we did," said Jean.
"And it was only 25 dollars," said John.
The ceremony was at the same courts where their love was first served up.
Their good friend and competitor in pickleball, Dee Brittan, hand crafted the bouquet.
"I mean they practically live here, and we all know each other so we're like family so why wouldn't you do it here," said Brittan. "We wanted to make it a big deal and it is a big dill, get it."
Brittan also made a restaurant gift card bundle, to keep the couple 'out of the kitchen,' just like they say in the game of pickleball.
Like the game, the best matches start with a whole lot of heart and making the right shots.
"The importance is each other," said Jean. "That's what we want to enjoy in life, is fun, have fun, whatever length of time we have left together."
After some cake the couple went to celebrate with dinner and they said as soon as John's back is feeling better they will be back to playing the game they love.