How We Got Together

Here's our story for those of you who are interested.

Aaron and Marcy met at work. Aaron worked in the casting department of Consolidated Metco (ConMet) in Clackamas when Marcy was chosen as the MECOP (multiple engineering co-operative program) intern for the machining department.

Because of the age difference (7 years), the fact that they worked on opposite sides of the shop (although their cubicles shared a wall), and their disparate social lives (as in Aaron had one), they didn't pay much attention to each other at first.

Marcy spent the first two weeks at ConMet working in each section of the plant, so during her second week, Aaron got to show her process control, or how hard it is to make 518 aluminum headlamp pods in a machine that's not quite big enough. She had to wear a hat for this because drops of molten aluminum shot out of the top of the machine each cycle.

At first, Marcy was shocked and amazed by Aaron's self-confidence and bravado, and her natural response was to bring him down a notch any chance she got. This made her quite popular with the rest of the engineering team, who had endured Aaron's charming nature for almost four years.

When Marcy's mentor Steve, who was in the hospital at the time, asked Aaron to bring his laptop to him, Aaron took Marcy along. After the third (or thirteenth) argument on the short drive there, Aaron commented, "You know, you're like the little sister I never wanted."

So how did this turn into a relationship? Well, the engineering manager told Aaron not to date the intern. In additon to this incentive, Marcy lived with her sister just 1 mile from Aaron's house and they began to carpool. The short commute provided opportunity to get to know one another. Considering how similar their personalities are, this didn't really take long. Chatting turned to flirting, and one day, Aaron took Marcy out to dinner. They ended up in a serious conversation about exes, Marcy teared up, and that was that. Aaron couldn't resist giving a comforting hug.

They dated (in secret - the boss said not to after all) for three months before Marcy left for a year in France. They continued a long distance relationship, and when she was ready to come home, Aaron flew to Lyon to spend a week there before bringing her home. (The official didn't think it was cute when he tried to declare his girlfriend at customs).

Aaron proposed to Marcy two years later, on March 4th, at home.

RSVP

We (finally) sent out most of the invitations. RSVP by email, letter, phone call, or comment on this post!

Bridal Party

Aaron's two handsome brothers are going to be the groomsmen

(L-R): Ira, Seth, & Aaron

and Marcy's two beautiful sisters are going to be the bridesmaids.

(L-R): Marcy, Kristy, & Laurie

Registry

We have created a registry, but we want you to know that your presence at our wedding really is gift enough, especially if you participate!

We registered on Amazon.com and at Macy's - which you can look up online or in-store.

The Amazon registry includes links to different items around the web including Marcy's favorite charity. Amazon also has a neat feature where we could rate things "nice to have," "like to have," and "love to have."

Just because the item is listed through Amazon or Macy's doesn't mean you have to buy through them. In many cases it can be found for less elsewhere, like Bed Bath & Beyond or Overstock.com.

Please Join in the Fun

When we think about just heading to Vegas, we remember that the reason we are planning a wedding is to share our important day with our friends and family.

As meaningful as we hope the ceremony will be, as delicious as we plan the food to be, and as fun as we anticipate the reception to be...

We'd really like to include our guests as more than just spectators. Please consider joining us in the creation of our special day.

If you have some skills or resources to share, please let us know. We've also included a list of things we'd appreciate help with. :D


*********** Dancing ***********

The best gift ever will be for you to enjoy yourself at our reception. We are going to have a DJ and dancing. If you don't feel very confident out on the dance floor, consider signing up for a ballroom, swing, or salsa class between now and April.

*********** Cookie Committee ***********

If there's anything better than cookies, Marcy would be hard-pressed to name it. The best part of cookies is how many types there are and a cookie buffet sounds like pure awesomeness.

Here's the plan, sign up for your favorite type of cookie, and I'll post here so we can have a wide variety.

If you'd like to borrow my King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion (the absolute best and most thorough cookie book ever), just let me know. Or I can email you a recipe out of it if you know just what you want.

Besides the bride, several attendees are on restrictive diets. If you would be willing to make an allergen free cookie, Marcy can provide tips and recipes. Aaron's absolute favorite cookie recipe (peanut butter) happens to be grain-free, dairy-free, easy, and super delicious.

Also, feel free to be generous in your definition of cookie. No one is going to turn their nose up at a cinnamon roll or brownie. :)

Remember to email me so I can keep an updated list. If you don't want to make anything but have a request / suggestion, I will post those too.

Kristy and I will fill in the gaps when the date gets closer.

Most cookie doughs can be made, formed, and frozen for months. This can be a real timesaver, providing you don't become addicted to frozen cookie dough and fresh toaster-oven baked cookies...

*********** Photography ***********

First and foremost, we really appreciate Ryan, Marcy's brother-in-law, agreeing to photograph our wedding.

Trying to capture a once-in-a-lifetime event can be daunting. That's why we'd appreciate volunteers to help.

• We'd like anyone who is interested to bring their camera and take pictures. We will be setting up a flickr account for everyone to upload to and download from.
• We'll have a short list of most-wanted shots that can be divided up so no one is responsible for more than 3-5 shots.
• We also need wranglers to help gather people and help Ryan get them posed, organized, and facing the camera. One during the short group shot session after the ceremony, and one or two during the dinner.

We'd also love to set up a photo booth. For that, we need a camera that can be triggered with a remote or cable release.

If you think your camera might do this and you'll be willing to leave it in one place during the reception, please email us!

We'll look up your camera, get batteries & memory cards if necessary, and do everything we can to keep your camera safe while capturing our guests having a good time.

Most point & shoot digital cameras will work, so what we really need is a good battery life and good picture quality.

*********** Decorations ***********

Many hands lighten the load!

We'll be decorating the lodge before the rehearsal on Friday. There will be many things to do including hanging lights, setting tables, and decorating chairs. We hope it will be a fun time. Let us know if you can make it.

*********** Children ***********

We are going to have a room set up with toys, art supplies, and games for kids to hang out in during the reception (if they don't want to dance, that is). If you can devote half an hour to being the person-in-charge, we can let the parents relax and enjoy themselves.


*********** Toasts ***********

Let me know if you'd be willing to give a toast. I'm imagining crickets when the DJ calls for toasts after dinner.


Image sources
cookie buffet
paparazzi

Cookies!

Taken:
Grandma and Aunt Pam are bringing Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Suggestions:
Chocolate chip
Oatmeal cranberry
Peanut butter
Snickerdoodles
Shortbread
Ginger snaps
Gingerbread
Sugar cookies

Grain-Free:
Cinnamon Nut Cookies
Peanut Butter Brownies
Double-Chocolate Mocha Cookies
Ginger Cookies
Black and White Cookies
Fig Newtons
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Brownies
Peanut Butter Cookies