#IDoAllOverAgain
_
Our wedding was absolutely perfect. Sure, we had our hiccups... The bride was hospitalized due to a relapse of chronic illness and treated with steroids with less than two weeks to go, missing the final gown fitting and creating four gigantic bruises to be covered with makeup on the big day... The groom spent a night in the emergency room on the honeymoon when an unknown allergy inflated his lips to a size that could easily be described as Angelina Jolie’s lips with a few bee stings... The bride’s cousin being absent after an emergency c-section the day before the wedding... The wedding weather alternating between near torrential downpours and bouts of heavy winds... But our wedding was truly perfect.
Our story began in 2004, when we met at work. Tom had wrestled with finding a date who fit criteria that was just short of Sandra Bullock’s “One green eye, one blue” standard in Practical Magic. He hoped to find someone who shared his love of video games, science fiction, and rock music. Tom was pleased to discover that I not only fit his criteria, but we also shared a love of leather bound books and Victorian architecture, as well as an enthusiasm for Christmas decorating. A great work rapport developed into a close friendship, which eventually evolved into a relationship as we realized how comfortable we were with one another. We found ourselves finishing one another’s sentences and winking at the same time, and as each day passed, we knew we had something very special. We celebrated our first “dating” anniversary at Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Bar, and Cabaret, and looked forward to many more.
The happiness continued, even through the challenges we faced. In 2006, Tom and I dealt with my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. Just as we had worked so well together, I couldn’t have asked for a better partner. Whether the day’s tasks included accompanying me to the third neurologist or injecting me with medication, Tom was up to the task with an encouraging smile. We were thrilled to begin the next chapter of our lives when he proposed a few months later.
Nicotra’s Ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn was the first and only venue we considered. Our venue coordinator, Carroll Tavella, helped us plan the perfect night to celebrate with our family and friends. We were married on October 25, 2008, and celebrated at a memorable reception at Nicotra’s Ballroom. I could rave endlessly about the beauty of the venue, the delicious food, and the exceptional service (as our guests did), but there are many other things that make Nicotra’s Ballroom so special and helped make our wedding day so amazing. One was the fact that when the weather outside made taking photos on the beautiful grounds impossible, the staff at Nicotra’s suggested we climb all over their grand piano for some unique photos, without the slightest hint of concern or apprehension over this beautiful (and obviously expensive) instrument. It was our bridal attendant Jen, who followed us around with our favorite drinks in her hand (which she covertly found out from a friend), as well as a towel to ensure we would stay dry during our photo session. Carroll Tavella and Jen even participated in one of our best men’s hilarious speeches, during which they “returned” Tom’s “apartment keys!” (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=608984398908&comments&set=t.68700108&type=1%27)
I’d say our wedding was the happiest day of our lives, but it would be selling our marriage short. I am thrilled to say our partnership continues today as we approach our third anniversary. We love working together on every project that comes our way. We still love going on dates to the park at sunset. I love that every night still feels like a slumber party with my best friend. During a playful exchange at a gathering a few months after we started dating, some friends commented that we were “still in the honeymoon stage” and “that will pass.” We’re still waiting.
So why would we want to do it all over? I’d like to think if we did it all over again, we might have the good fortune of skipping the hospital visits and the weather could be nicer... And maybe my cousin will make it this time, though I wouldn’t get my hopes up since she is pregnant again... (Congratulations Jackie!) It’s possible this time a black cat won’t cross our path (as we later discovered, watching our limo pull away from the Church on our wedding video!) But the truth of it is, we’d do it all over again with all of our “hiccups.” Neither of us could imagine a more perfect fit and we hope to take advantage of every chance we get to say “I love you” and to say “I Do.”
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=608980786148
Our wedding was absolutely perfect. Sure, we had our hiccups... The bride was hospitalized due to a relapse of chronic illness and treated with steroids with less than two weeks to go, missing the final gown fitting and creating four gigantic bruises to be covered with makeup on the big day... The groom spent a night in the emergency room on the honeymoon when an unknown allergy inflated his lips to a size that could easily be described as Angelina Jolie’s lips with a few bee stings... The bride’s cousin being absent after an emergency c-section the day before the wedding... The wedding weather alternating between near torrential downpours and bouts of heavy winds... But our wedding was truly perfect.
Our story began in 2004, when we met at work. Tom had wrestled with finding a date who fit criteria that was just short of Sandra Bullock’s “One green eye, one blue” standard in Practical Magic. He hoped to find someone who shared his love of video games, science fiction, and rock music. Tom was pleased to discover that I not only fit his criteria, but we also shared a love of leather bound books and Victorian architecture, as well as an enthusiasm for Christmas decorating. A great work rapport developed into a close friendship, which eventually evolved into a relationship as we realized how comfortable we were with one another. We found ourselves finishing one another’s sentences and winking at the same time, and as each day passed, we knew we had something very special. We celebrated our first “dating” anniversary at Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Bar, and Cabaret, and looked forward to many more.
The happiness continued, even through the challenges we faced. In 2006, Tom and I dealt with my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. Just as we had worked so well together, I couldn’t have asked for a better partner. Whether the day’s tasks included accompanying me to the third neurologist or injecting me with medication, Tom was up to the task with an encouraging smile. We were thrilled to begin the next chapter of our lives when he proposed a few months later.
Nicotra’s Ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn was the first and only venue we considered. Our venue coordinator, Carroll Tavella, helped us plan the perfect night to celebrate with our family and friends. We were married on October 25, 2008, and celebrated at a memorable reception at Nicotra’s Ballroom. I could rave endlessly about the beauty of the venue, the delicious food, and the exceptional service (as our guests did), but there are many other things that make Nicotra’s Ballroom so special and helped make our wedding day so amazing. One was the fact that when the weather outside made taking photos on the beautiful grounds impossible, the staff at Nicotra’s suggested we climb all over their grand piano for some unique photos, without the slightest hint of concern or apprehension over this beautiful (and obviously expensive) instrument. It was our bridal attendant Jen, who followed us around with our favorite drinks in her hand (which she covertly found out from a friend), as well as a towel to ensure we would stay dry during our photo session. Carroll Tavella and Jen even participated in one of our best men’s hilarious speeches, during which they “returned” Tom’s “apartment keys!” (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=608984398908&comments&set=t.68700108&type=1%27)
I’d say our wedding was the happiest day of our lives, but it would be selling our marriage short. I am thrilled to say our partnership continues today as we approach our third anniversary. We love working together on every project that comes our way. We still love going on dates to the park at sunset. I love that every night still feels like a slumber party with my best friend. During a playful exchange at a gathering a few months after we started dating, some friends commented that we were “still in the honeymoon stage” and “that will pass.” We’re still waiting.
So why would we want to do it all over? I’d like to think if we did it all over again, we might have the good fortune of skipping the hospital visits and the weather could be nicer... And maybe my cousin will make it this time, though I wouldn’t get my hopes up since she is pregnant again... (Congratulations Jackie!) It’s possible this time a black cat won’t cross our path (as we later discovered, watching our limo pull away from the Church on our wedding video!) But the truth of it is, we’d do it all over again with all of our “hiccups.” Neither of us could imagine a more perfect fit and we hope to take advantage of every chance we get to say “I love you” and to say “I Do.”
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=608980786148