Brad and Erica met many years ago in the halls of Brandywine High School. For many months they passed each other in the hallways, sharing glances and brief smiles...their crushes were mutual, however, adolescent insecurity kept them from ever muttering more than a bashful hello. In the following twenty or so years, there was a distant "what if" thought in the back of their minds... "what if I said more than hello? What if I asked him out? What if I asked her out?" Brads life veered toward the medical field and fruitless dating. Erica's life settled into motherhood and a career working in the medical field as well. Circumstance, timing and Facebook led them back to one another and in a very short time, their loving relationship evolved. In the resonant words of Nancy Why, "you'll know when you've found the right one," rang ever so true for Erica and Brad.
Brad describes Erica as an extension of himself. Their love, understanding, respect and admiration for each other is so evident in the way they look at each other and handle life together. Erica describes Brad as a man that understands her in ways that no one ever has.
When Erica and I re-met each other, it was a crush all over again. A crush followed by a wish that she would be everything I wanted her to be. A wish that was filled in ways that I could have not even dreamed. Erica is the woman that I've always wanted when I couldn't even say what that was. She has made my wildest dreams come true and every day that passes, I cannot imagine spending my life and growing old with anyone in this world but her.
It's funny how much we have in common. Our first instinct was to just run away and not deal with the fuss over putting on a big production of a wedding. When we settled down a little, we realized that we don't have to put on a show like we've seen so many times. Our wedding day is a celebration of our love and commitment to each other! We wanted it simple yet tasteful without 300 people running around, some falling off of their chairs, others that we "had" to invite lest we offend them, worrying about the critique of the venue or the food or the DJ or the smell of the horse drawn buggy (or lack thereof). In other words, we refused to get lost in the process of planning the "perfect" wedding. Instead, we planned our wedding to be simple yet classic and our venue just seemed to totally fit what we both had in mind. Rockwood Museum and Gardens http://www.rockwood.org/home/webpage1.asp. We have a lone harpist for the wedding procession and during the cocktail hour (a misnomer as there will be no alcohol) and a good friend that will be officiating the ceremony. Our vows will be to one another and also with Lucio, Alexandra and Gabriella.
Conveniently, the reception will be adjacent to the outdoor garden ceremony in a small rustic carriage house. Not too much detail here. We do have a slide show prepared to give some insight into our romance and love for each other. The biggest thrill for us will be that we get to share our deep affection toward each other with the people that we care about the very most.
We both want to say in advance that we love you all for being a part of our lives, helping us celebrate our very special day! We are making a commitment to each other, to God and to Erica's children with our loving families and friends as our witness! Making our pledge and saying our vows to each other and in front of all of you will solidify our love, respect and devotion to each other from October, 30th 2009 and every day forward!
