Popular Post Stargazer Posted March 20, 2016 Popular Post Posted March 20, 2016 The following tale will contain a reference to our very own MorningStar, to whom I am very grateful in assisting me in this endeavor! As most of you are aware, I lost my wife to cancer last September. I didn't expect much to happen after that, as I was pretty much blitzed by caring for her at our home during her last couple of months, and by her peaceful passing itself. To preface this, when my late wife learned that she had six months' notice of leaving this life, she gave me two instructions. The first was "Please take care of my children." I promised her that I would. The second grew out of her concern for me being all alone, and she said she was worried about me. Accordingly, she told me that she expected me to remarry after she was gone. Initially I said that I had planned to stay single for the rest of my life (and I was serious), but her response and question made clear that she disagreed: "Was it that bad?" she asked me, referring to our marriage. What could I say? After she was gone and things had settled back down somewhat I took tentative steps towards her assignment to me of finding a new wife. I signed up on an LDS-themed dating website, and tried my best to only interact with women who lived a LONG way away. That way I could avoid any serious interactions! Very courageous of me, right? Well, it didn't work. On Christmas day I got a greeting from a 55-year-old woman named Wendy. She lived in England -- safely on the other side of the planet, right? Because I had lived in England once upon a time for a period of two years, and had loved it, I was interested in at least exchanging a few emails, so I responded. It became clear rather quickly that we had a lot of things in common and enjoyed conversing via email. When she proposed that she visit to meet me during her next holiday, I was hesitant at first, but thought that it couldn't hurt, so I said "Sure go ahead." I expected to show her around the area a bit, and eventually she would move on to Victoria BC by herself to complete her holiday, and then return to England. It would have been fun, and then we'd just move on to other things. That was my thought, although I did suspect that we might like each other rather more than that. As time went on however, we continued to correspond via email rather heavily, and strong feelings began to be evident in us both. Early on I had proposed that, just to keep it a surprise, we would not speak with one another so that we would first hear each other's voice at the airport. Kind of romantic, right? We were tempted a couple of times to just phone each other and have done with it, but we did keep that goal intact for the entire time. By the time we finally friended each other on Facebook, I was certain that I wanted to marry her. It was not only romantic feelings pushing me towards this, but there were also some very strong spiritual experiences that convinced me that we should become husband and wife. And I could tell that she felt the same way. I won't describe any of this here, but I will tell you that the indications were strong. The only thing that remained was for us to meet in person. We each felt that unless it turned out that we actually irritated each other when we were together, we would probably want to marry. When the day came I waited for her at Seattle-Tacoma airport, and was actually looking the wrong direction when she came up from US Customs, and I almost missed her. But I quickly saw this very attractive woman walking away from me, looking left and right for someone she was expecting to see, and I rushed quickly towards her from behind and called out "Wendy!" She turned, we saw each other, and it went like gangbusters from that moment! I loved her voice; she sounded wonderful! And as for anything else, it was as if I had known her for years. She clearly reciprocated my feelings, and as I took her out on our first "official" date, to see and hear a concert at Benaroya Hall in Seattle, I knew that I had to ask her to marry me. It was a wonderful, uplifting concert, and as the other patrons filed out of the performance hall, we still sat and talked. Finally, though I had initially planned to pop the question in the foyer outside the hall, we reached a point in our conversation when it was clear to me that the moment had arrived. So I asked her to marry me, and she nodded smiling and said "Yes!" Afterwards we went out to the foyer and met MorningStar, who had provided the tickets for the event (and who was a singer in the concert). MorningStar was overjoyed at the news! By the way, she is the first denizen of this forum I have ever met in person! Well before I proposed marriage, before Wendy had even come to the US, we had already concluded that if we were to be married, we would be married on this trip, and wouldn't wait. Accordingly, on Monday morning we went down to my County Courthouse, obtained our marriage license, and committed my ward bishop to doing the wedding on the following Thursday (the first day after the 3-day waiting period). Now because Wendy was previously sealed to her late husband, I knew this was going to be a Time Only marriage. To cut to the chase, we were married on Thursday afternoon on March 3, 2016, in my ward meetinghouse. With us were my bishop, my brother and his wife, my son Daniel and his two children, and my home teacher and his wife. And also my son Isaac! She was only able to remain for a total of two weeks, and so 11 days after our wedding she returned to England. She's going to take another mini-holiday in May to visit me her husband. I will be preparing to join her more-or-less permanently in England sometime between now and November of this year. After a few years in England, we may relocate to the US, but we haven't any firm plans at this time. So congratulations to me!!! I am happier than I have been in a long time! 6
Tacenda Posted March 20, 2016 Posted March 20, 2016 That's great news Stargazer! I remember the days when you posted about your former wife and now look at you, from that sadness you're able to move ahead. I'm sure she is happy for you to be moving on in your life with a companion to share it with.
Stargazer Posted March 20, 2016 Author Posted March 20, 2016 5 hours ago, rpn said: Congrats. Will Wendy be joining us here? I don't know. I have told her about this place and how much I enjoy spending time here, but she doesn't seem all that fired up about it. We will see.
Jeanne Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 Congrats,,,way to go!!!! Wishing you many happy days,
MorningStar Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 (edited) It was so great to be a part of it and to meet you both! I'm thrilled I could suggest a great first date/proposal spot too. I told some fellow choir members about it before the concert and there were lots of fun comments about our music selection and Mike and Wendy's first date. The theme was "The Road Not Taken". Certainly a unique road to take to meet someone from halfway across the world, take them on your first date, propose, and then marry them just a few days or so later! Such a great story. Edited March 21, 2016 by MorningStar 3
Stargazer Posted March 21, 2016 Author Posted March 21, 2016 In case anyone is curious about either my late wife or new wife, I have both memorialized my dear departed and introduced my new sweetie on my personal web page (see link below). 1
Meadowchik Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 3 hours ago, Stargazer said: In case anyone is curious about either my late wife or new wife, I have both memorialized my dear departed and introduced my new sweetie on my personal web page (see link below). Link on your siggy is gone!
Stargazer Posted March 21, 2016 Author Posted March 21, 2016 34 minutes ago, Meadowchik said: Link on your siggy is gone! ??? I can see it, why not you? Nevermind... here: http://www.mikeclark.co/ 1
Popular Post ERayR Posted March 21, 2016 Popular Post Posted March 21, 2016 14 hours ago, Stargazer said: In case anyone is curious about either my late wife or new wife, I have both memorialized my dear departed and introduced my new sweetie on my personal web page (see link below). Congratulations. As you might remember I also lost my wife of 55 years a year and a half ago. Well I too am getting married to a wonderful and beautiful woman in two and a half weeks. Isn't life a bit brighter now? 8
Stargazer Posted March 21, 2016 Author Posted March 21, 2016 17 minutes ago, ERayR said: Congratulations. As you might remember I also lost my wife of 55 years a year and a half ago. Well I too am getting married to a wonderful and beautiful woman in two and a half weeks. Isn't life a bit brighter now? I do remember, and I recall that you took a breather from this place recently, and I presume it was because you were busy courting! Which is why I did the same! I was a "man on a mission". Congratulations to you, ERayR!!
ERayR Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 1 minute ago, Stargazer said: I do remember, and I recall that you took a breather from this place recently, and I presume it was because you were busy courting! Which is why I did the same! I was a "man on a mission". Congratulations to you, ERayR!! Yes I too was a man on a mission and it is worth it. We also had inspiration, guidance and confirmations along the way. It has been a good experience.
Jeanne Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 14 hours ago, Stargazer said: In case anyone is curious about either my late wife or new wife, I have both memorialized my dear departed and introduced my new sweetie on my personal web page (see link below). I loved reading about you and the stories of your wives. You have been blessed in many ways...now..about your political leanings..,,
Calm Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 11 hours ago, Meadowchik said: Link on your siggy is gone! You might have the signatures turned off or accidentally hit ignore on his sig in the past (it is by the rep button when visible). Check your ignored users under your profile to see and to turn off or on sigs seeing and other options.
Meadowchik Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 1 hour ago, Calm said: You might have the signatures turned off or accidentally hit ignore on his sig in the past (it is by the rep button when visible). Check your ignored users under your profile to see and to turn off or on sigs seeing and other options. Thanks!
ERayR Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 2 hours ago, Jeanne said: I loved reading about you and the stories of your wives. You have been blessed in many ways...now..about your political leanings..,, His political leanings sound Okay to me, however it sounds like yours may need some tuning.
Jeanne Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 1 hour ago, ERayR said: His political leanings sound Okay to me, however it sounds like yours may need some tuning. Nowadays...I think we all need a do over...what an election!!!
Calm Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 Removed a political rant as totally off topic... Reading the board sometimes feels like I am watching a Hallmark movie. Just teasing, here is something for the celebration: 2
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