The Perfect Wedding?

It would be easy to write about our “Perfect Wedding Day”, however, that’s not the truth. Like marriage, our Wedding Day was far from perfect. I woke up on the morning of October 14, 2000 to a phone call from one of my best friends, Michael, who said… “Marc is there a way I can get the tux to you. I’m not sure I can make it” I replied “What!” Michael continued, “Jennifer’s water just broke and I’m on the way to the hospital”. I said, “Dude (at least I think I said Dude), don’t worry about it. We’ll work it out. Go take care of Jennifer”. Michael then said, “You know what, I’m going to keep the tux. Maybe I’ll show up”. I hung up the phone and I said to myself, yeah right, there is no way he’s showing up. I then called Tanya and delivered the news. Later that afternoon, we showed up to the wedding venue and discovered that half the flowers were missing. The florist didn’t bring the roses that were supposed to decorate the gazebo and Tanya was devastated. We decided to grab some flowers from the reception hall and “make do”. Now it was time for the ceremony to start, and as our guests were making their way down the aisle, Grandma Yvette fell and broke her ankle. Now, the moment of truth. In front of all our family, friends, and God. We will say our vows and commit to each other. I can’t screw this up. Just repeat after Rabbi Frank. Rabbi Frank said, “I, Marc, take you, Tonya, to be my wife” I repeated, “I, Marc, take Tonya…” I then saw the look in Tanya’s eyes as we had our very own Ross and Rachel moment. I said my soon to be wife’s name wrong. I quickly corrected myself and we moved on. Finally, Tanya and I planned a dove release as a surprise for our guests. As we walked over to release the doves, my Mom interrupts…”Marc, where are you going? You’re going the wrong way”. In over 24 years of marriage, I rarely described our wedding as I just did. As far as I was concerned, it was a perfect day. God delivered us a beautiful day in October. I watched as my friends and family arrived with big smiles. Despite all the things that went wrong, everything seemed to work out.

Michael, like the hero he is, showed up just in time to help walk Grandma down the aisle. As far as everyone was concerned the flowers were beautiful, and the band rocked. The dance floor was full all night long.

Tanya and I had our first dance. As our song played, "You Needed Me", she looked into my eyes and I got goose bumps -

“And I can’t believe it’s you

I can’t believe it’s true

I needed you and you were there

And I’ll never leave, why should I leave?

I’d be a fool ‘cause I finally found someone who really cares”

We concluded our “Perfect Wedding” eating Chef Boyardee in our Suite. Both marriage and life is full of obstacles. The key is to have the right partner. Someone who despite all the screw ups is willing to laugh and cry with you. In our 24 years of marriage, we have had our ups and downs. I knew I loved Tanya from the start because we can be ourselves. Honest! We share the good, bad, and the ugly. And frankly, it’s always been the bad and the ugly that has brought us closer together. There is no one in this world that I would rather have for my partner in life. Tanya, as our wedding rings say, “You complete me”.

For all of those who might be looking for the fairy tale. Here it is. Tanya and I woke up the next morning and went off to Hawaii, with a quick pit stop in Vegas. We had an amazing honeymoon. We are proud to have two amazing kids and a great home. Our “Perfect Wedding” resulted in a “Perfect Family”…and if you believe that I have another story for you. Nothing is perfect, and that’s just the way I like it.