We knew each other casually for over a year before we started dating. We had both admired each other from afar, it turned out, but it wasn’t until our little Cupid Wesley — who is also our ring bearer — brought us together that we finally went out and ultimately fell in love.
We were both serving on a steering committee for an organization that we’re a part of. The chair and recording secretary of that committee, Rose and Steve, had just had baby Wesley, and they would bring him to the meetings. Needless to say, when there’s a baby in the room, I was going to hold that baby! And so that I did, every chance I got. Whenever the roster would go around for sign-in, Jeff would turn around, and with these gorgeous, twinkling eyes and dazzling, sweet smile, mouth “Do you want me to sign you in?” I gave him the flirty eyes for months, but nothin’. Until finally, on Christmas Day of 2016, a Sunday evening, he called me! We must’ve talked for at least an hour, and again the next night, and the next. I couldn’t wait for our first date. There’s something so special about Jeff… I knew. I just knew. (Ask him the story about “our” song — I totally knew!)
It took us almost two months to go on that first date, after a variety of life circumstances and Seinfeldian misunderstandings, but we finally did, on February 24, 2017. It was, by far, the best first date ever. Hours long, we talked about everything. He is the funniest person in the world, not to mention the sweetest, kindest, most intelligent, most thoughtful, most generous….
At the reluctant end of the date, we not only shared an absolutely magical first kiss, but we also narrowly averted being kidnapped by a ghost car! True story. And the rest is history.
When my son met Jeff — a meeting I was naturally nervous about, only because I so desperately wanted them to hit it off — the kiddo promptly named him “Peach,” because with his beard, he is fuzzy like a peach. (I have long been “Mamaya Papaya,” so that’s where “Peach and Paya” comes from.) The two have been thick as thieves ever since, and today we get to have this beautiful, loving home and family together, based on a solid foundation of compassion, kindness, tolerance, and humor (read: lots and lots of really weird jokes about whales and farts and unmentionables).
Dreams do come true. On February 24, 2019, I get to marry the man I’ve dreamed about since I was a little girl. If you’re reading this, I hope that you’ll be a part of our special day. ♥♥♥
Peach and Paya's Wedding 