Many couples tell me they met this way and probably there are many more who are little hesitant to talk about how they met. During the last few weeks I had the honor of marrying two couples who met on-line. They couldn’t have been happier or more suited for each other. And ….they said ‘by all means tell our story’.
Ralph and Dawn Marie emailed and talked for hours on the phone before she even knew what he looked like. She said the photo he had posted was very small and she kept asking him to send her a larger photo. When she received a full size photo she got more and more excited as she watched each feature appear on her computer screen. She finally had a face to go with the person she had already fallen in love with.
These two have so much in common, both are sports enthusiasts and have been active in organized sports most of their lives. Although they have many things in common, it is their religious beliefs that is most treasured. They wanted a ceremony that placed God in the center of their marriage.
Ralph called a few weeks ago and requested information about getting married at our retreat center. He said it all sounded good and he would be in touch. Well… he did call again. He and Dawn and just gotten their marriage license and he wanted to know how quickly they could get married. I said, ‘what about today?’ …
All of my ceremonies are individually prepared even, short-notice weddings… He and Dawn had not had time to shop for wedding bands so I had a little surprise for them. Instead of exchanging rings, I gave each of them a gemstone heart to exchange while saying, ‘ I give you my heart. I have no greater gift to give’…They were very touched…
And now to another couple who met on-line in a different way. Jason and Susan met while tending the crops in Farmville, a real-time farm simulation game available on Facebook. According to the NY Times 20 million people check into Farmville daily to buy, plant and harvest crops. So out of 20 million people, Jason and Susan connected. And in an interesting way. Susan was communicating with Jason’s aunt and because of her last name (which is a bit unusual), Susan asked if she knew Jason. The rest is history.
Jason traveled from Texas, Susan traveled from the eastern part of North Carolina. They met at Jason’s aunt and uncle’s house in Asheville. After spending a few days there, (there was mention of a dice game they played until the wee hours of the morning...) the four of them came to RiverMist for a lovely outdoor wedding. Jason had written the most beautiful wedding vows and I think Susan fell in love with him all over again…After a few more days in NC, they were headed to Texas so Jason could finished his military obligation.
