History of Gary and Dottie's Relationship
We met online in late April 2000. Gary and I wrote and talked on the phone for a couple of months before finally meeting in person on June 17, 2000. We were steadily falling in love with each other, but were both cautious since we hadn't even met yet. Though we were a little nervous on our first meeting, we quickly got over that and had a wonderful time.
We had intended to go to the Central Square Field Days, but the crowds were unattractive and we wanted to be alone anyway. Gary and I decided to get a bite to eat at Wilborne's Diner (now Good Golly's) and then took a drive to Chittenango Falls. Gary was very nervous and shy...it was so cute. On the drive over, I quickly learned that we were instantly made for each other. Finishing each other's sentences or already thinking what the other was saying were just a few of the "supernatural" things that let us know we were compatible.
Gary and I spent nearly eight hours together on our first date. We didn't want it to end. When I laid my head on his shoulder for the first time, I knew I had come home. It was the most natural thing I had ever done. When people would ask me what he was like, I could only sum him up in this sentence..."Have you ever met someone and just thought to yourself, now THAT is a good person." Well that is what he is...a one in a million. And I am the luckiest girl in the world.
A week later we couldn't hold in our feelings any longer. When he whispered hotly in my ear that he loved me, I was overcome with emotion. Never in my life had I wanted to spend eternity with another person. Gary proposed on October 17, 2000.
As you probably already know, we were married on June 17, 2001, a year to the day after we met in person. It was a lovely ceremony in Sackets Harbor, NY. Watching the ceremony video, we were able to see the beautiful scenery going on behind us with all the boats passing in the harbor. When I was walking up the aisle, I was shaking so badly, and my mouth was twitching so much that I thought everyone was going to think I was having convulsions or something. I wasn't nervous about marrying Gary...I have never been so sure of anything in my life. I was just nervous in the moment, I guess. I don't know any other way to describe it.
My mother sang "Always", in the style of Patsy Cline and we were all a little emotional.
The ceremony was fairly short, but very romantic.
Many people have told me that this was the most organized wedding they had ever been to. The DJ was happy because everything was written out in a timeline and there were no questions, or having to track people down to see what had to be done next. All I can say is, well that's me. I couldn't have done it any other way.
I have been asked if I could change anything, what would it be. I wouldn't change a thing.
I just wish that everyone could feel what Gary and I feel for each other. The world would be a much happier place. |
