I had the honor of serving as Leonard and Tina's wedding officiant. It is always special when a couple selects me to bring them into marriage. With Leonard and Tina, to be able to share in the moment that they became husband and wife was something I will never forget!
Leonard had initially contacted me as a result of finding my website online. I have to admit, the first few times I read through his email I wasn't sure what to make of it! His initial email complimented me on my site and stated that he and his fiancee would be thrilled to have me serve as their officiant. I thought, "Well, I like them already!" He had explained to me the history he shared with his fiancee, Tina. He explained that he had been reunited with his teenage sweetheart some 28 years later. He went into detail what had happened, and their love story. It sounded so tragic. I can remember reading through the email and wondering if it was true.
The hopeless romantic in me had to write back! I was crossing my fingers that it wasn't some phony email generaged from some man in India who would soon ask me to cash a cashier's check and send me the difference. (Unfortunately, I've had a few of those come across my in box.) I was excited when I read that it was an authentic email, sent from an authentic groom who happened to live in the neighboring town of Arlington. We discussed scheduling a consultation with the three of us to meet. I was so excited to hear their story in person. I came prepared to write!
We had agreed to meet at a restaurant in Smokey Point. When I arrived, Leonard and Tina greeted me with their warm smiles. I just love when a couple can share with me intimate details about themselves to help me get to know them better. They spoke about what it was like when they were teenagers, the things they did. I smile when I think about how eager I was to hear the details! Leonard even shared that he had even walked the length of the I-90 bridge to get to her home, just to see if she was there. Can you imagine?! Tina shared about how she felt when she was with him and how the same feelings were there almost 30 years later. As they shared with me, it was as though I was writing the rough draft of their ceremony in my head.
Thanks to technology (and their school friend, Jody) "Len" was reunited with "Tippy" (their names for each other). They tied the knot Saturday, September 12th, 2009 in Arlington in front of 120+ family and friends cheering them on. All of their children were present, many who were in their bridal party. And guess what? Jody was in the bridal party, too!
I will never forget their faces as they exchanged wedding rings and spoke the words, "....I have emptied my heart of all others; it is only filled with you. You are my best friend and my only love. I will cherish you for the rest of my life." I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.
Congratulations, Leonard and Tina! May you be blessed with many more years of love and happiness.
