Lori and Joe's Wedding : LoriAndJoe6-9-12 : Website Feed

'Please Sign Our Guestbook!' has new posts.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:03:55 +0000

'Maid Of Honor: Katelynn Anderson' was updated.

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:18:42 +0000

"Every time I sit down to write my blurb...I start to cry. Plus I need something for my toast speech!"

'Best Man: Andrew Vasile' was updated.

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:18:34 +0000

On the day he gets married, I will have known Joe more than half my life (and Lori for very nearly as long -- but I'm one of the groomsmen, so I'm going to keep this mostly about the groom). I dug out my senior yearbook to see what Joe had written in it, and he told me, "You have provided us with countless hours of entertainment just by being yourself." Ignoring the tongue-in-cheek aspect of that, I just want to say, right back at you, buddy. Joe has been a great friend for many years, and my wish for Joe and Lori's marriage is all the health, peace, happiness, and love in the world.

Also, if none of the groomsmen make it to the wedding, I want everyone to know that Joe made a special request that I drive them to the church in a 16-year old Toyota. (Joe's response: THE WHITE KNIGHT RIDES AGAIN!)

'Best Man: Brian McClure' was updated.

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:16:21 +0000

9/7/2011: "blurb to come at another time. but keep reminding me."

'The Wedding Blog' has new blog postings.

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:06:38 +0000

'The Proposal According to Joe...' was updated.

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:55:59 +0000

For my birthday in March of 2008, which happened to also be our 7^th anniversary, Lori bought me a night’s stay at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY. I actually had never heard of the place, but Lori had gone there on a day trip with the Dean’s Circle

at Marist. So I went to their website to take a look and let me tell you, the place is beautiful! It was right then and there that I decided I was going to propose on our weekend getaway. I had instantaneously made up my mind that this would be THE day, which coincidentally only gave me 17 days to find the perfect ring. Otherwise, I would have had to use an onion ring or something. Not much time, especially for a science geek like myself who needed to research all the aspects that go into finding a great diamond. But I figured this was going to be the only time I actually had money to buy a ring since I was starting medical school in August.

So I started on my quest, visiting a few retail stores in various malls and researching diamonds on the internet. The first step was figuring out exactly what type of stone Lori would want. We hadn’t ever discussed stone preferences like some couples do, so I was really flying by the seat of my pants. I really fell in love with this one particular stone at Tiffany’s which the retailer told me was “made especially for them.” It was then that my quest for this style of ring began. I quickly became very familiar with the 4 C’s but that wasn’t enough for me…I needed to delve deeper into the characteristics of the diamond looking into the depth, table, girdle, finish, polish, symmetry, etc. I finally narrowed my search down to one particular diamond and 2 possible settings. I was really torn between a simple solitaire setting and one with a little more diamond accents. I had told no one and I mean no one that I was going to pop the question that weekend (not even my best men, Brian and Andy, or our families).

I can remember it like it was yesterday, sitting in the It’s About Time lab at my desk. I decided that I needed a woman’s opinion on the matter. So I called my friend and coworker Jill on the phone and casually asked her to come by my desk as I wanted to ask her a question. A few minutes later Jill strolled in and that’s when I completely floored her. “So Jill take a look at my screen. I need your opinion on this ring.” And that’s when Jill lost it, letting out a very loud “Oh my god!” Everyone in the office must have wondered what was going on. And that’s when my boss Dana said, “What’s going on out there? Is someone having a baby or getting married?” Jill and I both smiling from ear to ear replied, “Oh no. It’s nothing.” But Dana knew something was up. With Jill’s expert advise, she advised me to go with the solitaire setting which was definitely the right choice with Lori’s personality.

Later that evening, I ordered the ring and hoped it would get delivered before we left for Mohonk. After about a week, I finally got the e-mail that the retailer had shipped the ring. That’s when the real fun started. I must have checked the Fedex tracking website a good 100 times over the next 48 hours. Finally, my inconspicuous package was delivered to the office with only a day to spare. It was perfect in my eyes and Jill was pretty ecstatic over it too. I was pretty sure Lori was going to love it.

Now came the hard part, figuring out exactly when and how to give Lori this beautiful ring. After all, a girl needs a good proposal story! As most of you know, Lori and I met on a blind date set up by our two friends, Lauren and Tom, at an Our Lady of Victory Ice Skating event. So I thought that it would only be appropriate to propose to Lori while ice skating. To step-up the sentimental notch a bit more, I remembered what I had worn to our first meeting- this blue polo shirt and my black leather jacket, both of which I still owned. So the plan was set, but the only problem was it was April 12^th and spring was upon us. According to the Mohonk website, the ice skating rink would be closing sometime in April depending on the weather. So I was really praying that a heat wave wouldn’t come and totally ruin my plan. Luckily, the ice rink was open and to my surprise we essentially had the entire place to ourselves. The setting was perfect. A big beautiful stone fireplace at one end of the rink and only one other couple figure skating at the other end. So we skated around for a good half hour or so. With each lap, my confidence grew stronger. I was finally ready to propose in front of the fireplace when all of a sudden this worker decided to refill the fire place with more wood. Way to totally ruin my picturesque moment! By this point, Lori was ready to get off the ice and continue on with our day by going to the spa and pool before our checkout time. Somehow I dissuaded Lori’s attempts to get off the ice for a few more laps.

Finally, the fireplace guy completed his task and went away. Now all I needed was a few more laps to get my courage up again. We stopped in front of the fireplace on our last lap and I started setting up my proposal. After my first phrase, Lori leaned in, gave me a kiss, told me I was corny and then turned away in an attempt to skate off the ice. “Wait!” I said and pulled her arm back toward me. When she turned around, I was down on one knee and asked her to marry me. She was truly surprised to the point where she almost fell right then and there on the ice. Obviously, she said yes, but it was the look on her face that truly made the moment for me. I will never forget that moment, and I don’t think she will ever forget it either! We took a couple of pictures and then continued on with our plan of going to the spa and pool, and I convinced Lori to go canoeing with me (a decision I think she still regrets to this day as it was pretty windy and we almost capsized into a few boulders).

We continued our fun-filled weekend by visiting Lori’s coworker at his upstate home. Gleaming with our new found engagement excitement, we spent a day in the mountains without cell phone reception. We would have to contain our news until we returned to Westchester the next day. One-by-one we called friends and visited family to share the great news with them. It was a once in a lifetime moment to experience together as we told all of the loved ones in our lives of our news. I can’t wait to reach the other milestones of my life with Lori by my side. It is truly an amazing feeling to have found that special someone to spend the rest of your life with. Thanks Lauren and Tom for changing our lives!

'The Proposal According to Lori...' was updated.

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:50:47 +0000

We were headed up to Mohonk Mountain house for the weekend. It promised some great views and lots of outdoor activities. Unfortunately, the forecast was calling for overcast skies and rain all weekend; however, we were excited to have the weekend away. We had been together for just over 7 years, I was nearing the end of my first year teaching and Joe was about to begin medical school. I knew that we were going to get married and eagerly awaited our engagement--or more accurately obsessed about when, where, and how it would happen. I remember when we went on a date for our one year anniversary. Joe pulled out a small, wrapped box. I had butterflies in my stomach as I thought to myself--a ring! Then I quickly reminded myself we were still only seniors in high school. That small box did contain a ring--an engraved claddagh ring. I wore that ring for over six years until we were engaged.

As I packed for the weekend, I anxiously wondered if this would be the weekend we would get engaged. As we started our drive Joe handed me a card. He wanted me to open it, but I said I would wait until we arrived and he stopped driving. All I could think was that this card might be the beginning of the proposal and I couldn't understand why he would want me to open it while he was driving. We brought our bags up to the room and then decided to walk around before dinner. We strolled along the many paths and porches and watched the sun sink lower in the sky. When we returned to the room to get ready for the formal dinner, I realized that I left the card unopened in the car. Joe went to get it as I started to get ready for the evening. It was a very lovely anniversary card, but nothing that screamed "soon to be engaged." I figured I would have to wait for dinner.

We had a fantastic meal; I remember convincing Joe to try the bison as I went with my usual standby of chicken. I carefully nibbled on the bread and slowly drank my glass of water as we waited for our meal. Almost everyone has heard stories about a bride-to-be who chipped a tooth or almost swallowed the ring that her fiancé ingeniously hid within some of the dinner. Well there was no dental emergency throughout the meal. I figured it must be with dessert. I was disappointed as I finished my dessert; I figured I must have been wrong about this weekend.

The next morning we awoke to surprisingly blue skies. We hiked up the mountain to enjoy

the view and planned to go ice skating and swimming later. The views were spectacular as we watched the fog roll over the mountain side. We hiked down the mountain and headed for the ice skating pavilion after a quick change. We were the only two on the ice for awhile; it was peaceful to just skate around. I was hoping to get the most out of the weekend and also could not wait to go swimming. I know that in the thirty minutes we were ice skating I must have asked Joe the time at least ten times. (I wanted to leave enough time to shower after swimming to get the chlorine out of my hair).

We stopped in front of the fire place at one end of the rink. Joe turned to me and said, "I love you." To which I responded, "I love you too" with a quick kiss. He asked if we could go around the rink just one more time. I didn't know why he wanted to go around once more, but I figured this wouldn't take too much time from swimming. We went around one last time once again stopping in front of the fire place. He turned to me and said "I love you" with something else I can't remember because I was so fixated on going swimming. I gave him another quick kiss and turned and started to skate to the exit. He yelled, "Hey come back here!" As I turned around, he was down on one knee ice skates and all with the ring in his hand. I nearly fell over. I think I said something that resembled yes as I tried to help him up.

Here I was convinced on the drive up that we would get engaged, then disappointed and consigned to just a regular weekend away by the end of dinner the first night. Joe managed to surprise me in a way that was more than fitting--on an ice skating rink wearing the same clothes he had worn on our first (blind) date seven years earlier. Oh, and by the way we did have enough time to go swimming in case anyone other than me was worried.

'How We Met' was updated.

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:48:10 +0000

Attending an all girl high school has its benefits, and I wouldn't change my time at Victory for anything in the world, But it can make it a little challenging to meet and socialize with the opposite sex. Hoping to have a more exciting social life, I asked my friend Lauren if she knew anyone she could set me up with. She said she would think about it and get back to me. In a few days she mentioned there was this guy, Joe, who she met through her boyfriend at the time. Joe was the transportation between Iona and Ursline. Through Lauren we exchanged pictures and phone numbers. We were planning on meeting at Iona's battle of the bands, but unfortunately Joe had to attend the NYS track meet in Syracuse that same weekend.

So I went with Lauren to the battle of the bands where I meet some of Joe's closest friends. Incidentally this is where BrianRyan's (one of Joe's bestmen) nickname originated from--it was so loud I couldn't tell if he introduced himself as Brian or Ryan. Joe and I continued to talk on the phone, and we each started a little recognizance. Two of my classmates were in an SAT review class with Joe. They promptly reported to me that he had a really hot car and oh yeah he's cute too. One of Joe's friends who I had not met at battle of the bands came by my house to pick up Lauren one night. The next day he told Joe that I wasn't very tall but had a nice rack.

As we continued to talk on the phone for the next week or two, I asked Joe if he wanted to attend Victory's ice skating night fundraiser. He agreed, I bought our tickets, and we arranged to meet outside of the front door having told each other what we would be wearing. It was a blind date!

As my friend Erin drove into the parking lot, we could see someone standing outside. It was hard to see much from that distance, but the butterflies started in my stomach. We walked up to the door and sure enough Joe was waiting outside as promised. We skated around for a few hours. I have to give Joe a lot of credit. He came by himself and didn't even seem put off by the fact we were surrounded by all of my friends. After ice skating. we went for pizza and a movie. I guess we were trying to cover all of the basics in our first date. Our parents were going to pick us up after the movie. (Yes, our parents picked us up from our first date, but remember we were only Juniors in high school). I remember my mom pulled up first. I jumped in the car and she asked if I wanted to wait until Joe's ride was here. I quickly said no fearing what types of questions or interaction would ensue. It was definitely a once in a lifetime type of night. I never thought I would have met the person I would marry--okay maybe a small part of me fantasized about it, but I never thought it would be my reality.

We had such a great time Joe and I arranged to go out to dinner a few days later. Of course my mom and step-father insisted on meeting Joe when he pick me up just recently earning his full drivers license. I was terrified--I had no clue what they would do, this was the first boy I was introducing to them. As Joe pulled up in front of the house, my brother Matthew who was looking out the window shouted to everyone that Lori's date had a red sports car and green spiked hair. Needless to say, I think my mom was a little worried until Joe knocked on the door without green hair and everyone exchanged simple introductions. My mom invited him to sit down on the couch. I remember watching Bill march across the living room very seriously announcing he had one question to ask. I held my breath as he asked, what kind of music do you listen to? Joe responded by saying he liked classic rock and Led Zeppelin. Bill thinking it was Joe's way of giving the "correct answer" encouraged him to tell the truth. Joe stood his ground insisting that was what he listened to. Phew, I let out a sigh of relief. Joe had "passed the test" and we were allowed to go out to dinner.

Joe's birthday was just over a week after our first date. He invited me to his house for his birthday along with Lauren and my cousin Katelynn. The three of us headed up to Thornwood for the first of many events at the DeMarco household. Still unsure if we were officially dating, I took this opportunity to explain to Joe the significance and symbolism of the claddagh ring I always wore. Without a word, he promptly took the ring off my finger turned it to signify "taken," and placed it back on my hand. It was official--we were dating.

More than 10 years later who would have ever guessed that a blind date in high school could turn into a lifetime relationship!

'Welcome To Our Wedding Website' was updated.

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 14:42:57 +0000

Thanks for visiting our wedding website! You should be able to find all the information you need about our special day. We'll continue to update this site as time goes on so keep checking in!

Lots Of Love,

Lori and Joe

'Groomsman: Luc Peterson' was updated.

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 14:40:29 +0000

Luc's initial correspondence: sorry i've been lame, joe. i will do this, soon. i promise. kinda crazy right now, finishing dissertation and prepping for a conference this week that i don't want to go to but have to anyway. (surprisingly and not so surprisingly Luc was the 1st of Joe's Groomsmen to submit his blurb)

Luc met Joe (and consequently his other half, Lori) while at Vassar College, where the two bonded over mutual loves of soccer, video games, MacGuyver and Prof. Mort Tavel's extracurricular lectures. Oddly enough, come Luc and Joe's graduation, they still weren't sick enough of each other's company and instead embarked on a month-long traipse around the European Continent. While their adventures of this time, legendary as they may be, might eventually fade from memory, their friendship surely will not. Luc is both thrilled and honored to be an active witness to the start of Joe and Lori's life together.