Here is some of our story.
Feb. 13, 1998
A boy calls a girl at another boy's apartment(long story!). They make plans to meet up for dinner later that evening. The boy shows up at the girls dorm wearing his "best" green sweatshirt. After a couple months of only seeing the boy in a dining service uniform and hat, this is a welcome change! He takes her to a nice restaurant called "The Speakeasy". He orders steak, she orders spaghetti (typically a no no on a first date!) They talk until the place nearly closes down.
They decide that the night is still young(it was only midnight after all!) The boy invites her to his place for a movie. They respectfully sit on opposite couches to enjoy "Ferris Buellers Day off" He drives her back to the dorms around 2am. After a small hug, they say goodnight.
The next morning, Valentines day, the boy calls and says to meet him by the door. He stands holding a rose. She is quite taken by this small gesture. She runs back upstairs to call her mom to say she has met someone. The next day she calls and finds a lame excuse to see him again. They don't go a day for the next week without seeing each other.
May, 1998
The boy and girl stand by a tree. His car is packed. He has graduated college and is moving back home (3 hours away). They talk of the future. They could easily part ways, no harm done. They had a great 4 months. At the last minute they decide to give the relationship a try. Why not?
June, 2005
The boy and the girl pick out the perfect engagement ring. This is a long awaited day. The girl is giddy at the prospect of the future.
July, 2005
The boy leaves on a trip to Greece and Italy. He is excited for his "last hurrah!" The girl is uncertain, she hasn't seen that ring since the trip to the jeweler a month ago.
October, 2005
The girl wonders if she will ever see that ring. Here she sits with her family around her celebrating a nephews confirmation. A phone call comes. It isn't good. The boys grandfather is very ill, we must come immediately. The next day and night are filled with a lot of tears as we say goodbye to a wonderful man. Before we say goodbye, the boys family is full of smiles and congratulations to the girl. The girl stands confused. The next morning, after a very long and very sad night. The girl unexpectedly finds a box in the boys bag. A box from the jeweler that had the ring. The girls stands confused. Was something else supposed to happen this weekend? Although there is so much sadness, there is a bit of happiness in the girls heart. Something was supposed to happen, but the timing was most certainly wrong.
November 5, 2005
The boy and the girl sit together on her couch talking of the day ahead. The boy mentions a poker game later that evening. The girl becomes upset. Poker? Will that ring ever come? The chapel and reception hall have been booked since the summer. Will the deposits go to waste? In a flash, the boy disappears. Hours later he returns with flowers in hand, a tie around his neck and a plan for dinner.
Dinner comes and goes with no talk of a wedding. The couple walk to their car through the snow/rain/sleet. The boy gets in and asks if she would like to head over to the poker game. REALLY?? POKER?? But before she can react he pulls out a ring, the ring, her ring. She smiles through the tears and says. "NO". He laughs and so does she, for she warned him of this after 7 years. She quickly revises her previous thought. He says there is one condition. Her parents have been unavailable for comment. After a quick phone call, they are reached and a blessing is given.
June 10, 2006
The girl awakes after a long sleepless night. She is sick. She can't be sick. This is her wedding day. It is raining and cold. A small breakfast and a dip in the pool and she is feeling better and the rain appears to have stopped for a bit.
Her hair is done.
Her prince awaits.
At last the day has arrive. The day she has prayed about, hoped about and felt so much joy for.
Surrounded by friends and family.
Finally the two join.
At last
The party begins.
