Wedding Bells!
Remember the urban legend post I wrote?
One of those myths was that people actually married after meeting online. Everyone talks about knowing someone—his or her sister’s best friend’s brother’s second cousin met his spouse through online dating, sort of thing.
BUT, it was my contention that nobody actually knew someone—and then my friend Jeanne took my theory and tore it to pieces.
She met and planned to marry Tom—a man she met on Match.com.
Well, we all know how those things can seem brilliant when one is caught up in that “new love thingamajig” but with the passage of time the desire to make that kind of commitment often wanes.
Right?
Wrong!
On December 16th with a little over one hundred friends and family members present, Jeanne and Tom tied the knot!
Jeanne was absolutely stunning in her wedding gown and I’m going to go out on a limb here and confirm that you don’t have to be a virgin to wear white as was once required.
When she couldn’t find the exact shoes she was looking for, my talented friend made these:
They wrote their vows and I loved what Tom had to say about their union:
“On this day, I give you my heart, my promise that I will walk with you hand and hand wherever our journey leads us. I love you for your beauty, your kindness, your intelligence and the way you make me feel so special. You are my lover, companion, and best friend. I promise to help shoulder our challenges for there is nothing we cannot face if we stand together. I promise to be your partner in all things, not possessing you, but working with you as a part of the whole. From the moment we met, you’ve surprised me, distracted me, captivated me, and challenged me in a way that no human being ever has. I’ve fallen in love with you again and again and I still can’t believe that today I get to marry my best friend. I promise to be true to you, to uplift and support you, to frustrate and to challenge you, and to share with you the beautiful moments of life. Someday if the stars align, I might even let you win an argument. No matter what trials we encounter together or how much time has passed, I know that our love will never fade, that we will always find strength in one another, and that we will continue to grow side by side. I believe in the truth of what we are, and I will love you always with every beat of my heart.”
There weren’t many dry eyes in the church when he finished.
Then it was time to party!
Jeanne’s sister, Ali, had us up and working on the morning of the wedding to get the room set up for the reception.
Lots of strong-willed (and organized) women there to help and when Ali cracked the whip a bit too much, Jennifer made us laugh with her reply:
“All right, Sargent.” (Please say that with a heavy Boston accent)
Jennifer and I were two of Jeanne’s bridesmaids in her first wedding, by the way.
Jeanne’s handsome boys (my godsons) were thrilled for their mother.
The eldest, Cole, gave a beautiful toast. “My mom has the biggest heart of anyone I know, and she put her life on hold for my brother and me. She deserves all the happiness that Tom gives her,” he said.
The DJ played OUR music (none of that bullshit techno nonsense) and let me tell you, the dance floor was filled with those who understand the true genius of songs like:
Or my personal fav, “le freak.”
Who can sit still with music like that? Go ahead, click on those song titles and try not to move.
The next morning my dogs were barking from dancing in those platform pumps, but you shouldn’t fight the groove just because you’re fifty-one.
Jeanne and Tom honeymooned in Laguna Beach for a few days and then moved on to Disneyland. I have no doubt that the “Happiest Place on Earth” for the two of them will be wherever they happen to be standing.
Congratulations, you crazy kids!
“You are the frosting on my biscotti.” Jeanne’s last sentence in her vows to Tom.
Hi Melani,
This is your english contact speaking in by best Dainel Craig voice (I wish), and I admit I have been lax in keeping up with your blog so it is nice to find your slight cynacism has been dulled by this story, although I’m sure there are many stories like this, and I wish your friends the best for the fututre.
I myself am in a relationship that began via an on-line agency and we are now in our 12th year together, although we are not married, there is more to life than marriage.
Anyway, I’m sure you heard this question already what are you going to do when your year is up?
Hi Chris. I guess my cynicism is rather dulled by a good love story of any kind but one of the online variety is extra encouraging. Not sure what I’m going to be writing about once this year is up. I’m going to continue to blog and will be doing that at the melanirobinson.com website. I’m sure it will include a continuum of my love life drama. The good news is I won’t be online–woo hooooo!! Congrats on your twelve years of non-wedded bliss and thanks for your comment.
Hi Melani!
So lovely. Thanks for the heartwarming story at this up-and-down emotional time of the year.
xoxo
Glad you liked it, Chloe!
I thought I was cynical but I found a glimmer of hope in the story of Tom and Jeanne. I guess that is what keeps me digging in the trenches and stubbornly plodding along. This is a tough time of the year to be alone but as I approach my one year mark of on-line dating it still beats being unhappily married. I may put that on a pillow “Being Alone and Single Beats Being Alone and Married”……………..
Love ya like a sister,
Cindy
I like that pillow quote, Cindy! I agree that Jeanne and Tom give us all hope as we stumble along through this sometimes nightmarish online dating path! Back at ya, sister!
I’ll be interested in see where you take all of this (I feel like I’ve been reading you most of the year – wow!) And, well, still curious about the Hugh guy, so I look forward to that promised update. (Because heck, I need to do some vicarious living because while I’ve met some nice guys on line this year, I haven’t met any I needed to see more than once.) Of course, now with you gone, I’m gonna have to go the online dating thing alone! (Surprisingly I do not have any single friends – everyone of them is coupled up).
I’m not gone, RJ, just done with blogging about online dating as of January 5th. I’ll still be telling all sorts of interesting tales and surely that will include my love life! It is hard to do this dating thing alone. Most of my friends are part of a couple, too! Thanks for the comment.
When first reading the title I said to myself “No shit!” Then it turns out to be your friends getting married. Congratulations to them and may they have many wonderful years together!
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Mel!
Awww, Scott, did you think I was getting married? Love that “no shit” comment, but alas, no wedding for moi. You have a Merry Christmas as well, Scott. Thank you so much for your comment.
So happy that you are still posting! I love this story as it gives me hope.
Many blessings for a new year of opportunities.
Namaste
Thanks, Sharon! My friend’s story is a hopeful one, for sure. Blessings to you, too. Namaste.