Finally Getting It Write
Kelli Bagley, 31, and Peter Rubin, 31
How they met: After years of going-nowhere relationships, Peter, a magazine journalist, finally caved to the notion of cyber-dating. The caveat? He limited his looking to sites that catered to singles in the media and arts. That’s where he met Kelli, an assistant editor at a publishing house.
Their dating days: After their first in-person date, Peter went home and told his roommate, "I think she might be the one." Within six months, Peter got a place of his own and invited Kelli to move in.
The proposal: When Kelli landed a plum promotion at work, Peter knew
it was time to pop the question. He asked for her hand as they slow-danced in their living room.
The wedding: Peter comes from a long line of justice-of-the-peace marriages, so the couple continued the tradition by making things official at city hall. A more romantic celebration—in the garden of a local restaurant—took place later, when an interfaith minister brought friends and family together in September 2005 to hear them renew their vows. —by Hillary Quinn
Well Versed in Romance
Meridith Rohana, 36, and Justin Marks, 31
How they met: Real life can be stranger than fiction, especially when you’re majoring in the latter at New York’s New School. It was there that Meridith crossed paths with Justin at a poetry reading in November 2003.
Their dating days: Literature ruled their relationship, so it was poetic justice that things really clicked for Meridith when Justin recited Denis Johnson’s poem "Sway" to her over the din of a book party. After a year of dating, the pair received their degrees, landed good jobs and began thinking about a future together.
The proposal: No formal "Will you marry me?" here, nor an engagement ring (Meridith finds it an antiquated tradition). Instead, the couple put their energy into planning nuptials that would suit their simple, academic style.
The wedding: Guided by 10-page programs written by Meridith and Justin, guests watched the couple’s candlelit exchange of vows in November 2005 at the National Arts Club, a historic 19th-century mansion where the Poetry Society of America used to meet.
The Picture of Happiness
Paula Trotto, 39, and Greg Kessler, 29
How they met: Paula, a freelance photo editor, went to an exhibit in upstate New York featuring Greg’s work. She liked the photographs on the wall—and the guy who snapped them—so she took his card.
Their dating days: The pair began cultivating a friendship, meeting for dinner over several months. Unaware initially of their 10-year age gap—"I assumed he was in his thirties because he could cook and his apartment was nicely furnished"—Paula took him to a friend’s rustic compound in the Hamptons, hoping that the romantic setting would cement the relationship. He fell in love with Paula.
The proposal: The spot was Spain, but getting there with a hidden ring was no easy feat. Airport security asked Greg to dump the contents of his carry-on photo bag not once, but twice—yet he still managed a surprise proposal.
The wedding: The couple returned to their friends’ 100-year-old barn to
officially seal their love. Paula and Greg’s June 2005 wedding went off without (or, rather, with) a hitch.
Togas to Toasters
Keri Michael, 26, and Cace Tyler, 27
How they met: Keri, whose sorority had closed for the summer, had just settled into her temporary frat house digs when in popped Cace Tyler, a biceps-bulging senior. She loved his body. He loved her smile. Conversation flowed. "We had lots of weird things in common," says Keri, including birthdays one day apart and a first name for a last name.
Their dating days: Cace took Keri home to meet his family a week later. But while the two were made for each other, their parents weren’t: Cace’s folks sport ponytails, tie-dyed shirts and Birkenstocks; Keri’s family unit includes a straitlaced, ex-military father. "I’ll never forget the first time they met," recalls Keri. "Cace’s father went in for the hug and my dad stuck out his hand for a manly shake."
The proposal: During a hike, Cace asked Keri to sit with him on a rock, and reached into his pocket. "I thought he was getting sunflower seeds, but out came the ring!"
The wedding: The pair married in an 18th-century Port Townsend, Washington, church in August 2005.
The Luckiest Losers
Shari Pais, 31, and Victor Pittaro, 37
How they met: Shari, who had undergone gastric bypass surgery in 2002, caught a glimpse of Victor, who had the same procedure done in 2003, in a local hospital support group. At that point, she’d already lost over 200 pounds; he’d just begun his transformation. Later, when this "hot new guy" showed up at the group’s favorite post-meeting diner, her friends invited him to sit at their table.
Their dating days: Later that week, Victor sent Shari an e-mail, asking her to be his "angel," his support buddy in the program. Shari gladly accepted the role—and a dinner date.
The proposal: Though the pair had talked marriage since their second date, Shari burst into tears when Victor presented her with a ring tucked inside an Easter basket just five months later. "He said, ‘I asked you to be my angel when
we first met. Now I want you to be my angel for life.’"
The wedding: The pair married at St. Luke’s Church in Whitestone, New York, in February 2005. Shari became pregnant with baby Ronald, born exactly nine months later.
Not Quite Ready at Prom Time
Maryann Healey, 47, and Terrence Fagan, 47
How they met: Thirty years ago, these two schoolmates went to the junior prom together "as friends." Afterward, Maryann began dating Terry’s buddy Ray, and married him four months out of high school. The platonic pair stayed in touch, corresponding by mail when Maryann and her military spouse were stationed in Germany, but then lost contact until running into each other at their 25th high school reunion. When Ray passed away two years later, Terry paid his respects at the wake.
Their dating days: Six months after that, a friend thought Maryann needed cheering up, and organized a date with Terry, who’d remained a bachelor. "We were instantly comfortable together," says Terry.
The proposal: On the deck of a sailing schooner off the coast of Maine, Terry asked Maryann if she was having fun. When she said "It doesn’t get any better than this," Terry took out a diamond ring and proved her wrong.
The wedding: The invitation for their September 2005 vineyard celebration featured their 30-year-old prom photo.
A Solid Foundation
Sheryl Bridgeford, 51, and Marty Bower, 43
How they met: She needed a new rock wall in her backyard; he was the landscaper who was recommended for the job. She brought him back for another one the next year, and the two became friends. Sheryl says she "continually made excuses to ask Marty questions about the retaining wall he was building; it became the ‘foundation’ for our relationship." When the yard projects were finally completed, she did what any good Seattleite would: She invited him out for coffee.
Their dating days: With a relationship quickly brewing, the pair spent their second date touring the famous 10-acre Olmstead gardens.
The proposal: In February 2005, Marty got down on bended knee at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show and, when Sheryl said yes, he pulled a bottle of champagne out of a man-made stream that flowed through one of their favorite exhibits.
The wedding: A year later, the couple tied the knot at the same show, in the center of a "wedding garden" that Marty’s best friend had built just for the occasion.
Prescription: Marriage
Jennifer Jocson, 26, and Curtis Duffield, 27
How they met: The scene was medical school—the University of California at Davis. Curtis, having spotted Jennifer at an orientation barbecue, figured out how to join her anatomy group, knowing the pair would have to work closely together.
Their dating days: Cadavers and coffee breaks (actually, it was more like Boba tea for this pair) did not a romantic setting make, but that didn’t stop the two from doctoring their new relationship. "We usually saw each other in scrubs, we always smelled like formaldehyde and our dates were in the library," explains Jennifer.
The proposal: Three years after they met, Curtis and Jennifer went for a hike in a redwood forest near Sonoma. Later, when the two stopped at a nearby beach for a picnic, Curtis unpacked a blanket and food, and finally got the words out.
The wedding: As a tribute to their love of nature—and to the site of Curtis’s intended proposal—each reception table at their May 2005 wedding was named for a tree.
The Ball’s in His Court
Gina Dinisio, 27, and Brian Spallina, 27
How they met: It’s a classic story. Two 19-year-old lacrosse players meet on the field, fall in love and become the all-American couple.
Their dating days: For five years, the pair enjoyed a wonderful relationship. But eventually, Gina wanted to move to Manhattan to pursue her career, and Brian, firmly planted in the suburbs, declined to go with her. Both started dating other people. Six months later, after zero contact with one another, Brian saw Gina at a local lacrosse game and decided to wave the white flag by picking up the phone—on Valentine’s Day.
The proposal: On yet another February 14th—this time, in Florida—while walking on the beach, he handed Gina a bag filled with candy—and a diamond ring. "We always talked about how there was never a perfect time for anything in life," says Gina. "But when he handed me the ring, he asked, ‘What if I told you now was the perfect time?’"
The wedding: The couple went with a summery pink and apple-green theme for their July 2005 wedding on the shores of Long Island.
Summer Lovers
Lauren Kourakos, 28, and Erik Stephens, 28
How they met: Singles in New York City know that the best way to spend the summer is to get out of the city. Which is why Erik and a few of his buddies rented a weekend house on the Jersey Shore. To fill the last room, the guys posted an ad on Craigslist and found a group of friends, including Lauren, who were interested in a share.
Their dating days: There was instant attraction between Lauren and Erik, and a first-night kiss, but Lauren, realizing it would be a very long, awkward summer if things didn’t work out, pulled back. Erik persisted in wooing his housemate. "I would e-mail her—usually under the guise of some logistical thing. But I’d always throw in a flirtatious comment." Eventually Lauren succumbed.
The proposal: He proposed at the beach with a champagne picnic in Hilton Head, South Carolina, six months after they met. She cried... they giggled.
The wedding: They exchanged vows at a black-tie ceremony at New York’s famed St. Patrick’s Cathedral in October 2005.
