In late August 2007, Richard attended a BBQ at my mom's house. We were celebrating my grandmother's birthday. Richard was my Aunt's housemate, and family friend for over four years. Although we "knew of" eachother, we really didn't "know" eachother. From the moment I first stared into his blue eyes, I knew there was something about him that I wanted to get to know better! Throughout the day, I played flashcards and dolls with his daughter Casey (2), and Bad Minton with his son Tim (11) . We didn't really speak throughout the day...just glanced back and forth across the yard. For some reason that seemed to be just enough.
During the afternoon, my grandmother pulled me aside to ask me why I wasn't talking to Richard. She said that our souls were the same, so I needed to get out there and talk to him! I simply smiled. Shortly afterward, I learned that Richard was being deployed the next morning for four months to the Middle East. I thought to myself, "Well, there goes a 'coulda been great one'."
A little later, I received a call that I needed to go pick up my children. So, I grabbed a pen and a postie note and jotted a single sentence down, "For some infused sanity, send me an email." Then I placed my email at the bottom and signed my name, never expecting it to go any further than that. I gave the note to my grandmother for delivery. I was so afraid that Richard wouldn't be remotely interested that I left without saying goodbye to him. A blunder that he reminds me of to this day, and forever I presume!
To my surprise, he emailed! I was ellated! We spent the next four months exchanging emails, phone calls, and letters. We played 20 Questions all the time. It did not take long before I realized that everything I ever wanted to be was a reflection of him and all his splendor! We spent hours emailing each other...sitting on pins & needles waiting for a phone call...just to hear 'Hey Baby!' on the other end. I sent him a journal shortly after he left. I wrote a note in the front stating that the journal was to share his experiences with his "Someone Special" (even if it wasn't me). While a part of me truly wanted to be the one he gave it to, a larger part of me still thought that this was all a dream and that soon enough I'd wake up and it would be over! Never before had I learned so much about someone without even seeing them! This was a totally new experience for me...and I was loving every minute of it!
The months dragged on, so I started counting Saturdays. Afterall, 16 Saturdays was a lot more comforting than 120 days! Richard realized what I was doing, and joined in. At the end of emails/cards/letters, he would gently remind me how many more Saturdays we had until he came home. Those were the longest, yet most beautiful four months I could've imagined!!!
On January 6, 2008, Richard flew home to the Portland Jetport and we exchanged our first kiss. Hallmark could not have portrayed it better! We soon after blended our families (4 children and a cat) and moved into a 6-bedroom Gambrel on the lake.
On January 1, 2009, Richard proposed at 10 seconds past midnight, and I eagerly accepted!
We are exchanging our lifelong promises of Today...Tomorrow...and Forever, on July 24, 2010 at the Laurel Hill Chapel in Saco, ME.
The reception will follow at the Rochambeau Club in Biddeford, ME.
Welcome to our wedding website! We thought this would be the most efficient way to share the events leading up to our magical kiss as Husband and Wife! Please enjoy the journey...
About the bride
We chose to let the Bride and Groom share their descriptions of each other. Here's what the Bride-Groom had to say about Crystal:
Crystal attended and graduated from Sanford High School. She now works for the Sanford School Departmemt. She has two great children; Jake is 16 and Emma is 11. Crystal enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. I have actually broken her down to new things, like fishing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and camping. These are all new things to her that she seems to enjoy.
Why I feel Crystal is the one for me...She makes me look foward to whatever lies ahead. Even the not-so-good things, always seem to turn out "not-so-bad". She has an amazing attitude and personality towards anything we encounter. She has taught me so many things in so little time. I owe that fact that I have both of my children the times that I do, to her. She has a great sense of humor and it shows most of the time. She knows when to be serious and when to have fun. Her children have many of her traits, which makes adapting to them so much easier.
For once in my life, I always look foward to coming home. For once in my life, I know what it feels like to be appreciated and loved. Sometimes I find myself asking the question, "What did I do to deserve such a great woman...my soul mate?" That's what it comes down to. Crystal is my soul mate and I look foward to growing old with her and sharing new experiences with her. I love you Crystal!
About the groom
We chose to let the Bride and Groom share their descriptions of each other. Here's what the Bride-To-Be had to say about Richard:
Richard is a graduate of Kennebunk High School. He currently is employed at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and is in the United States Air Force (National Guard). He has two beautiful children (Tim-14 and Casey-5). He loves to fish, hunt, camp, hike, and just plain have fun.
Richard has overcome great obstacles in his life, but somehow remained true to himself and to the world. That is his most endearing quality!
On the personal side, Richard is the true essence of whole-hearted! He is sincere, honest, patient, funny, witty (far more than the bride!). He has a way of making every single moment count when we are together. He loves to pick on me, and often recruits the kids in his efforts. He loves quality time...whether it be with the whole family, or he and I by swinging on the glider by the lake.
Lastly, when I close my eyes and envision a true life partner...I see the endless sea of his blue eyes staring back at me...and I know what Heaven feels like! I Love You Richard!
