"Our Victorian Wedding "


 

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'We met in prison' as Andrew likes to say:

Andrew and I first met when I was 'on the job' training at Ethan Allen School. (The school is part of the division of Juvenile  Corrections here in WI, essentially a prison for juvenile felons)That was in June of '98. We didn't get to know each other until I took a permanent position in the same cottage he worked in. I truly admired the way he did his job. I admired his amazing work ethics. For the longest time I secretly had a crush on him. Why I don't know, he was so mean to me. He ignored me most of the time and totally blew me off the rest of the time. One day the people who worked in our cottage all went out to a hockey game(Dec'98). Andy,Steve and I ended up going out afterwards and we had talked quite a bit. Andy and I discussed that we both liked going to the movies. We said we could go together as friends,since neither of us were interested in dating at the time(or so we both thought). A month passed and was still kind of blowing me off, but I thought I would call and ask him out. I asked if he knew who I was. He said yes. So I asked him to the movies. He said he was too tired. UGH..Would my secret crush ever be even a friendship? A few weeks later he asked if we were ever going to go to the movies...Who was he kidding? I asked him, why had he blown me off? He had no idea what I was talking about and had thought I was another girl from work who irritated him. I had a hard time believing him, but anyone who knows Andy knows he's sincere.Still, he never asked for my number or anything...Crushed again, but who was I kidding? I worked with him and we all know you shouldn't 'like' people at work. 2 more weeks pass and we had a horrible night at work. The kids were bad, I had worked a double and had an evil cold. I asked if anyone wanted to go out after work for a drink. Andy said sure. I almost passed out. We went out and talked from 11:30pm until the bar closed. I was so sick and looked like it, but it didn't seem to matter. It was so much fun. We went for breakfast afterward and talked until almost 5am. It was the most fun I had ever had with a 'boy'. I went home tired but couldn't even sleep. I told my roommate Michelle that he was the guy I wanted to marry. That night we had actually made a date to go to the movies, still, just as friends. We went and saw 'The Other Sister', and went out afterward. It was again, as though we had known each other forever. He said that it felt like a date and I confessed the same. We made plans to see each other again. The next time was as much fun and he admitted that he remembered what I was wearing when he first met me and rattled it off. I was so amazed, see, I didn't remember meeting him during training. I had to have a slip signed by each person who showed me around during training and I still had it in my purse. I pulled it out and sure enough he had signed it. That was enough to scare me. I spent the next 7 months trying to make excuses why we shouldn't see each other. Worked together, I didn't deserve him, whatever I could think of. He wouldn't let me walk away and thank God he didn't. He is my best friend and I believe with my whole heart that he is my soul mate. We have so much fun together. I am so glad he told me "to get a real excuse" or ignored me when I tried to run away.

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How did Andrew 'pop' the question?

Andrew gave me a new stocking for St. Nick's day. An Eeyore stocking, it was so cute and I just adore Eeyore. I have a cat named Eeyore and many figurines I have collected over the years, so it was very special and quite a surprise.
The week of Christmas was extremely busy for us. We had spent the Christmas with Andrew's parents and had to come home and repack to go to Syracuse, Ny on the 27th.(I was in my friend Shannon's wedding) The night of the 26th we had come home from his parents only to pack and repack for NY. Once we were done with that we sat down to exchange our own Christmas gifts. We had both opened our presents and we snuggling on the couch when Andrew said "You know, I always would check my stocking to make sure I didn't miss anything" So I went to check the stocking. In it was a small wrapped box. I brought it back to the couch where we were sitting and began to open it. In the box was the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. It is a solitaire marquis set in platinum and yellow gold. It was bigger than I had ever imagined. Andrew had eluded to the ring in the weeks before but I had no idea it would be so beautiful. He asked if I would marry him. I swear I said yes right away but he says that all I said was "It's beautiful". I was speechless, I guess. So he asked me again and I said "Yes!Yes!Yes!". Andrew is the most remarkable man who has always made my dreams come true. I loved being in our new apartment, snuggled together next to our beautiful tree, in our only non hectic moment of our week. To me it was the most romantic thing anyone could have done.

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Everyone we have asked to participate in our wedding is very special to us. We have chosen to name them all 'Honor '. Attendants There is no way that we can name any of them to be 'Maid/Matron of Honor' or 'Best Man". To us they are all equally special and thank God for placing them in our lives. Below they are listed in no particular order. We thank them for accepting our request to participate in our wedding. In addition the remainder of our wedding party ; the ushers, flower girl and ring bearer, and our 'Flower Attendant are equally important to us and want to thank them as well.

Beth's Honor Attendants-

Jennifer Nan Lindsley

Michelle Marie Novak

Amy Lynn Geyser

Shannon Elizabeth Forshee

Carla Jean Meyer

Amy Jean Guszkowski

Kara Beth Ellis

Andrew's Honor Attendants-

David Chandler

Timothy Kruesel

Kevin Nass

Christopher Haeger

Paul Meyer

Brad Thompson

Matthew Neal

Our Ushers-

ThomasMartino

Matthew Ellis

Craig Lindsley

John Krause

Our Flower Attendant-

Elizabeth Martino

'Our Littlest Helpers'-

Ring Bearer- Matthew Martino

Flower Girl- Samantha Martino

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Continue on to find out why we might need the services of a costume shop?

We  want all of our friends and guests to know that if they have ever wanted  to dress in period clothing,  THIS  is the time . We are encouraging guests to dress in period clothing if they so chose.  For  help in finding a outfit  for our wedding please  call  our costumer. Of course there are  many others , but we find Suzann to be especially helpful and if she doesn't have what you are looking for , she just might be able to make it just for you. This is a very large costume shop and I feel sure you can find something you like.   After all it will be that time of year...

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