I always love asking people how they met. I’ve heard my parents tell the story of how they both worked at Walgreens in New York, back when my mom was still in nursing school and dad was finishing college. The tales of attempting to teach her how to drive stick shift and a proposal that came whilst inside his old green VW bug. How they used to go bowling and double date with her sister Louisa and her boyfriend Charlie, who would one day become my godparents. And how at the age of 20 and 24, my parents were married on a chilly day in March. The details of the wedding day itself also have been told many times as my dad recalls how, as an only child, he could barely fill one table at the reception but as number 8 of 9 children, my mom’s side took the up the majority share of the hall.
I never get tired of these stories and 46 years later I am still enjoying them.
(Congrats to my parents - Naomi & George! Picture below at their own wedding in 1972 and at mine in 2008.)
A few months ago, I had the pleasure to film a couple’s love story as they prepared for their wedding day. Barbara and Justin dated for seven years, three of which was a semi-long distance relationship while Barbara finished her Masters degree in Boston with Justin living here in Connecticut.
On a snowy afternoon in December, they regaled me with tales of another winter evening when they first met, followed by an anniversary in a blizzard and a very harrowing story regarding Justin’s battle with FedEx in attempt to get the ring in time for a Christmas Eve engagement.
My favorite part was when I asked the couple to share their favorite things about each other. Justin began to tell a story about when someone asked him a similar question and he just blurted out:
“Oh, she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me!”
Then pausing for a moment, he thought again, perhaps hearing himself say those words out loud for the first time, he reaffirmed,
“Oh yeah, she is!”
See minute 4:05 in their movie and watch their whole story here:
https://youtu.be/QR4xu_J3qPw
A few weeks of ago, I was thrilled to attend this lovely couple’s wedding. Knowing their story, as told in their own words, made the experience even richer for me.
Barbara and Justin - I wish you all the best and I can’t wait to hear more of your stories!