Tuesday, May 29, 2007


A Romantically Random Tuesday

I told you that I’d be here today, providing you with some fun random Tuesday questions to go along with the fact that Gary and I just celebrated our 12th anniversary. Thought I’d spread the love with some fun questions and answers about our meeting, wedding, marriage, etc.

First, though, how about a few pictures of us from so many years ago? Here are a few from when we were dating and then from our wedding (the one at the top was from our honeymoon). We really were kinda cute, weren’t we? And look at little McKenna? ( Bobby--I even put one of your handsome self on here for your enjoyment! lol)



Now to some romantically random questions for today...

* How did Gary and I meet?

I love hearing stories of how couples meet and I especially love the ones that involve cool, interesting, or “fateful” ways that they meet. And I definitely feel like our story is one like that! In fact, we would have never met if it weren’t for certain things that had to happen!

Gary and I actually worked at the same office building for 6 months and never knew each other (I was an editor, he was an accountant, and we were on two separate floors). We did, though, have several friends and co-workers in common; we just never met, for some reason. (It was actually good that we didn’t meet, though, because we were both married to other people at the time.)

After I quit my job to go back to graduate school (and in the meantime, my first husband and I had separated), one Saturday night I decided to go to a restaurant back in Birmingham (I was living in Tuscaloosa, about an hour away) to hear a former co-worker play in his band. I had worked with this guy for three years and he had asked me repeatedly to go hear his band play and I had NEVER done it before. It really was on a whim that I decided to go; I convinced my two best friends, Cheryl and Angela, to go with me that night and it all worked out that we were able to go. We went to watch Barry’s band play at a place called The Ox Restaurant and while I was there this really cute guy came up to me and asked me to dance. (I had never had this happen to me before, so it was really cool. Cheryl and Angela looked at me like, “Are you gonna actually dance with this stranger?” since they were really worried about me since my marriage had ended. They didn’t want me hurt again and were really watching out for me.) I said, “Yes” and had a great time dancing to one song with the guy who introduced himself as Gary. After the dance, we went back to our respective tables and then 15 or 20 minutes later, Gary signaled to me to come outside the lounge area. We sat there and introduced ourselves, talked a bit (including the information that I was separated and had a one-year-old daughter), and discovered that the reason we were both there on that night was that we both knew Barry. Gary had worked with Barry as well and often came to listen to him play (although that night he had really second-guessed coming, because of some different things going on). He asked me for my phone number, then we all got ready to go.

We left at the same time, and I saw him speed off in his little red Miata. He was sweet, so cute, and had a great car! Cheryl and Angela just looked at me and shook their heads!! (He called me several days later and because of my final exams we didn’t go out on our first date for another two weeks. But it was worth it…)

* How did Gary propose to me?

Remember the dance floor where we met? Gary proposed to me on the exact same spot, with the exact same band playing at the time. It was BEYOND romantic and just a perfect, perfect night!

* Was it love at first sight, attraction at first sight, or did it build slowly?

I knew I was in deep trouble the first time I saw Gary. I feel instantly in “attraction” with him (Gary laughs and says it was “in lust”) and when he kissed me for the first time on our first date (on a dance floor again—those things were really important in our dating history! Lol) I REALLY knew I was in trouble! While it was attraction that immediately drew us to each other, we feel in love too very quickly!

* Where did we get married and what special memories do I have of the day?

We got married on May 27, 1995, and our ceremony was at The Gorgas House on the University of Alabama campus. This is the most beautifl Civil War-era house on campus and was perfect for our wedding (it's really cool, because each time we go on campus for a Bama football game or other occassion, there it is to remind us of our day!). We had a small ceremony (about 20 people there), since we had both been married before. One of my favorite pastors in the world married us. And McKenna and I both walked down the aisle to Gary (and we both gave McKenna her own “wedding” ring). The gorgeous “Canon D” was our wedding processional and every time I hear it I remember what a beautiful day it was and how happy we all were!

Since we invited just a few people to our wedding, we invited everyone to our reception! We had it later that evening in Birmingham and had a live band, great food, drinks, and just a good time with friends and family! In fact, we didn’t even worry about leaving and hung out with everyone until the very end. It was a very laid-back, fun reception—one of the best nights ever!

* What is the most romantic gift I have received?

Gary has always been a great gift-buyer and giver (one of the reasons I love Christmas so much is that I know Gary will get me some wonderful, sentimental presents!). But the one that’s perfect to mention in this post is the wedding gift that Gary gave me. He bought me the coolest trunk (it has legs and actually looks like a stack of books, if you can understand that) and had it engraved with a poem he wrote about the night we met. I won’t tell you the entire poem, but it ends with the line, “my dreams came true the night I asked a dream to dance.”

It still stands in our den and I love to just stop and read the engraving every once in a while!

* Where did we go on our honeymoon?

We had a fabulous time in Aruba, where we stayed at an all-inclusive resort. We ate and drank and ate some more…until we couldn’t stand it any more! Aruba is the most beautiful island you can imagine—crystal blue water, the neatest interior that you can explore all day long, friendly people, and gorgeous sunset views. We loved it!! (I would love to go back some day!)

* What words would I use to describe our marriage?

I mentioned back in my Sunday post that I feel like our love has changed as the years have gone by. Our love is not as desperate and breathless as it was in the beginning; and we also don’t cling to each other like we did at one time (we spend plenty of time apart and are fine with that). We also have become more alike as the years have gone by (when we met, I would have definitely told you that we were a story of how opposites do attract; we almost broke up, in fact, over some politcal differences! ha!), and we share so many of the same values and priorities. Our love is more mature than it was at the beginning (although we certainly do know how to act silly and have fun; and those occasional nights of “parking” do help to remind us that even mature love needs to be breathless some of the time! lol). So... words to describe our marriage? Committed, strong, fun, loving, respectful, contented.

Now…if you made it through that entire post…BRAVO for you!! That was a long one!!!

And now, if you want to join in this Romantic Random Tuesday, I would LOVE for you to! If you don’t have the time or energy to answer all of these questions, pick out at least one to answer! Let us know the answer to at least one of these questions—

* How did you and your husband, wife, significant other, etc. meet?

* How were you proposed to (if you’re married!)?

* Was it love at first sight, or did it build slowly?

* When and where did you get married, and do you have any specific special memories of that day?

* What is the most romantic gift you’ve received?

* Where did you go on your honeymoon?

* What words would you use to describe your marriage?

If you’re not married, or you just don’t want to participate for some reason, that’s cool! But if you do, I can’t wait to hear all about you romantic fools!

Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday! (And that all of you had a great Memorial Day. We grilled out! did slip-n-slides! played with water guns! and generally had fun!!)

(Gary, aren't you excited that I shared all this romantic info with the rest of the world? Do you feel pressured to be a little more romantic today? lol Sorry sweetie....)



36 comments:

Unknown said...

blah humbug.... oh I'm suppose to say that at christmas!! my bad...

Just wait until I get your cute little self alone this weekend!!

Anonymous said...

JUST WANTED TO DISAGREE WITH ONE STATEMENT IN YOUR BLOG.
I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYTHING MATURE ABOUT YOU GUYS. ESPECIALLY YOUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER.

BOB BOB

Cheryl Wray said...

Hey--two of my favorite guys came on to visit me this morning!!!
And I just have two things to say to you two--
Gary--I can't wait!
and
Bobby--You are SO wrong!! We are SO mature, I don't believe you can't see it!!!
LOL

Adrienne said...

Awwww, you guys are too sweet!!!! alone...this weekend...Gary what do YOU have in mind? lol

Linda said...

Glad you had a great time....love your dh comment...too funny, at least he's a good sport.

You guys are mushy....Love it. Beautiful day to you.

Kimberly said...

Thanks for sharing...it was so sweet. Maybe when I have more time I will share my hubby and mine story. but with three kiddos at home ...too crazy around here. Have a great week.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love the pics. You guys are too cute!!

Jeff said...

I loved reading all this stuff. Some of it I knew and some of it I didn't, so that was a great peek into your history!

Here are my answers, most of which point back to our website since our story is there in detail.

* How did you and your husband, wife, significant other, etc. meet?
Short answer: We met doing a play at the Ferndale Repertory Theatre in Calforina. We were both cast in It Runs in the Family, a comical farce. We got to know each other well during the six weeks of rehresal and eventually started dating.
Longer answer: How we met...

* How were you proposed to (if you’re married!)?
Short answer: I did the proposing on our first anniversary, May 1, 1996.
Longer answer: Not really much longer than that, but it's also at the link I put in the for the first question.

* Was it love at first sight, or did it build slowly?
It built at a pretty steady pace. Within six months we moved in together and then, as you already read, by the first anniversary we were engaged.

* When and where did you get married, and do you have any specific special memories of that day?
Short answer: We got married Sept 7, 1997 (so we're coming up on 10 years this fall) and the same theatre where we met. The day was perfect, all our friends and family were there, the weather was beuatiful (which was important since the receiption was outside). The best memory was Will saying his vows. We both wrote our own, and he totally winged his without paper... I was very impressed.
Longer answer: Our wedding...

* What is the most romantic gift you’ve received?
I purple sequened heart that I got for our first Valentine's Day. Yes, it's cheesy, but I love it. It's on my desk at work.

* Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We went to Southern California. We did a couple days in Anaheim for Dinseyland, some time in LA at Universal Studios and also saw the U.S. premiere staging of Ragtime. We went to LaJola and saw the premire of the touring company of Rent and then down to San Deigo for a few days to go to the zoo. We also saw some SoCal friends while we were down there. It was a nice, relaxing, fun week.

* What words would you use to describe your marriage?
Loving, supportive, perfect...

Leah said...

How great is that story! Loved reading it! This makes me want to answer your questions on my blog, but I need t scan some older pics of john and I first.

Adriann said...

What a sweet and romantic love story. You guys are true soulmates... Simply beautiful!

Greta Adams said...

awesome cheryl...congrats

Unknown said...

totally sweet cheryl...love romance!!! my hubby and I had a fated meeting as well!! I love our story...I will share...just not today...popping in quick to say HI!!

have a fabulous day and enjoy your weekend with him!!

Andy said...

again happy anniversary. i love the pictures that you posted they are great. and to answer one of the romantic questions.....

When and where did you get married, and do you have any specific special memories of that day?

our anniversary date is the same as yours (different year though, i think that we talked about that once) and we got marriend in new orleans where i grew up. the wedding was at a baptist church there (not the one that i went to growing up though) and the reception was at a country club there. it was a great weekend. we were surrounded by lots of family and fun and 2 nights before the wedding we had a huge crawfish boil around the hotel pool where a lot of the out of town guests were staying. it was a lot of fun with great memeories made.

Phats said...

First off HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! Great pictures as well.

I met Kristen at Purdue obviously we both were cheerleaders there. Never during my 4 yrs at Purdue did I date her though, we were best friends and up until 2 yrs ago that was it. We chose to start dating and the rest as they say is history.

Love at first sight, well she is drop dead gorgeous, and I had a crush on her, but I never thought it right to date another cheerleading, since I was putting my hand places that if we broke up might be very uncomfortable! haha :)

Cheryl Wray said...

Adrienne--He's bad, aint he? lol
Linda--Thanks!!! Gotta try and be mushy after 12 years! There's too much "day to day" stuff going on that if you're not mushy sometimes it would all fall apart!
Kimberly--I would LOVE to hear your story sometime too!!!
Gin--Love looking back at those old pics!!
Jeff--I LOVE yours and Will's story!! So great that you all are still so happy too!!
Leah--Let me know when you do your story on your blog! I'd love to read about it!!

Cheryl Wray said...

Adriann--We were meant to be together, I absolutely believe it!!
Greta-Thanks!!
Jessi--Ooh, I would LOVE to hear your story too!!
Andy--Well, Happy Anniversary to you too then!!! So cool that we share the same day!! Love the story of your wedding and reception! I think that New Orleans would be a great place to get married--all that good food! yum!
Phats--You're too funny!!! Yeah, I guess that would have been pretty uncomfortable in you broke up!! Too close for comfort, huh?

Mississippi Songbird said...

Awww. Congratulations on 12 years.. I hope you have many many many more...
You both look like a couple on your honeymoon.. So much in Love....So cool!

Anonymous said...

Aww...those are some great pictures. Thanks for showing htem to us all.

Southern Heart said...

This was the sweetest Tuesday ever, I think. I loved your answers, and all of the beautiful photos, too!

I just posted today, but if this crazy week slows down, I might try to participate, too. :)

Hope that you're having a great week!

xoxo,

Andrea

Kimberly White said...

love all those pics! Kim

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Cheryl and Gary! You seem like a match made in heaven..hope you enjoy your "alone time" this weekend!
I'm not going to do the questions you posed, but will post something on my blog about marriage.

~Telah said...

How neat! Love your story. We are going to be celebrating our 12th this year too...on August 12. 1995 was a good year, wasn't it?!

Robin Green said...

I enjoyed reading this--and the pictures are great. You are blessed to be happily married--as I'm sure you know. Oh--I haven't been to the Lambert's in Foley--but I should. I will be in Missouri in July and will probably go then. Hope the rest of your week is wonderful.

Jolene George said...

I loved this post. It was totally sweet and I could feel the love you have for each other. It's a wonderful thing. I met and married my husband in high school. We beat the odds. 21 years and going strong.

Anonymous said...

Awesome post today, Cheryl. I love hearing sweet stories like yours!

Melissa said...

Happy Aniversary! :)

and thanks for sharing your story-so sweet!

hope you had a wonderful day with your hubby

Anonymous said...

merci beaucoup for your support comment about destruction of french churches in countrysude.

I hope a lot of people will write to the organism to make them react and stop this.

merci!

Prolix
{the french touch}
http://prolix.typepad.fr

Cheryl Wray said...

Songbird--Thanks!! Sometimes I do feel like it was jus tyesterday and that we still are on our honeymoon! (other days, when we're mad at each other or whatever, I feel like it's been forever! ha!)
Anon--Thanks!
SouthernH--Aww, thanks!! You need to post your memories sometime too!
Kim--Thanks!
Steph--I'll head over right now to check out your post!
Telah--95 WAS a good year!!! Aug 12 is a good date too; it's my Mom's birthday!
Jenna--I'm very blessed, and I appreciate it! Lambert's is SO good!
Jolene--I love to hear about those couples that beat the odds and are still going strong! Awesome!
Marg--Glad you enjoyed it!
Melissa--Thanks! I'm looking forward to a weekend alone!
Prolix--I was really sad from reading your post about the churches. I hope that many of them can be saved!

Cheryl Wray said...

Songbird--Thanks!! Sometimes I do feel like it was jus tyesterday and that we still are on our honeymoon! (other days, when we're mad at each other or whatever, I feel like it's been forever! ha!)
Anon--Thanks!
SouthernH--Aww, thanks!! You need to post your memories sometime too!
Kim--Thanks!
Steph--I'll head over right now to check out your post!
Telah--95 WAS a good year!!! Aug 12 is a good date too; it's my Mom's birthday!
Jenna--I'm very blessed, and I appreciate it! Lambert's is SO good!
Jolene--I love to hear about those couples that beat the odds and are still going strong! Awesome!
Marg--Glad you enjoyed it!
Melissa--Thanks! I'm looking forward to a weekend alone!
Prolix--I was really sad from reading your post about the churches. I hope that many of them can be saved!

Dawn Bibbs said...

Oh Cheryl, how I love reading stuff like this. I guess you're saying, if I love it so much, why am I reading it TODAY instead of yesterday? lol Sorry, yesterday was a crazy day...I don't think I read anything.

Next, I'd like to say that I just love Gary's comment. How sweet is that??? All I have to say is, don't do anything I wouldn't do...:-). Ok, I know you don't know me that well, nor do you know what I would or would not do. So in that case...knock yourself OUT!!! LOL

I won't answer all of the questions in your post, as no one has that much time on their hands :-). But I will answer these two:

*How did me and my hubby meet?
In April of 1986, I had just left a seasonal job at a jewelry store and needed to find something else to support me and my 16 month old. I applied at the local Kroger grocery store, where Mr. Bibbs happen to be a cashier. I was hired on in the deli there. Marque was a full time student at DeVry and working part time at Kroger. Long story short, he would come to the deli after he got out of school and before his shift. I worked the sandwich line and I made him a sandwich. He told me that was the best sandwich he'd ever had and we were pretty much inseperable after that. Even today, he tells me that I make the best sandwiches. We laugh at the corny stuff we said to eachother while trying to figure out where the other stood. Very corny!!! We dated for a little over 2 years and were married on Dec. 17, 1988.

*What's the most romantic gift I've ever received?
Ok, I always get strange looks or replys when I answer a question like this. But the most romantic gift I've ever received from Marque was a Chargrilled Chicken Salad from Chick-Fil-A. I had been in a car accident and could not move. We had only been married for a couple of years and Marque had just started a new job. So he went in for a few hours while I stayed in bed. He came home early with lunch for both of us, mine being the salad. I LOVE Chick-Fil-A and these salads were new on their menu. I'd been wanting to try one. This day, it was so perfect for me because I could hardly get out of bed to go potty, let alone ALL THE WAY to the kitchen to fix something to eat.

Marque isn't a very romantic person, so this is all I've got...LOL.

Thanks again for sharing your special memories.

TK Angels said...

I love this post. You two are so beautiful together-so cute!!

I love it that Gary replied to the post! What a romantic story. Hope you both have many, many wonderful years together.

Will be 26 for us in September!!

Take care,
Love,
Terri

Susie said...

Hi Cheryl,
What a lovely post and tribute to the love you share.
Best wishes for the Happiest Anniversary!
I've been sharing the story of our forty year marriage in several different posts. I'll be doing another one this week. I may work in one of these questions!!
:)

Kelly said...

congrats on 12 years.
Pete and I met on an airplane :)

Anonymous said...

The sweetest, sweetest post ever! I loved reading and looking at your precious pictures! Wow...so very sweet! Thanks!!!!

I'll answer those questions in a special future post...how very cool questions (I totally loved your answers)

AngelConradie said...

wow cheryl... thats a fabulous post! i love stories about how people meet and yours is fantastic! a real fairy tale!

Redhead Editor said...

If I read this a year ago, I would have had a cynical "yah, right" attitude. But things have changed for me, and now I believe your kind of love actually exists. (What a difference a year makes!) Thank you for sharing your love story with us. And I promise to throw away my cynical ways. You two are darling. And you're right. You were meant to be together.