Maui is for Lovers!
Tim and I first met about 15 years ago at the elementary school
our children attended (he has two boys and
I have two boys and a girl).
Shortly after we met,
we realized that we both attended the same Catholic Church.
We would see each other occasionally at church, school or at the gym
and were friendly over the years.
I was married,
and so nothing but friendship existed between us until about 5 years ago
when my marriage was ending.
After that,
as Tim once said,
things just went BOOM between us.
It was a relationship unlike I had ever experienced before,
and it felt like we would be together forever.
Right before we started dating Tim and I saw each other at several school events
and my fondness for him grew quickly.
So much so,
that on our first date I told him that I was in love with him.
Tim was less forthcoming with his feelings but told me
on that same date
that he saw us on a beach one day
and I would be wearing a white dress.
We have experienced several challenges during our time together.
My whole family was very shocked that I was ending my 24-year marriage
and starting to date a new person right away.
My mom, sister, children and friends all thought
I was losing my mind.
The one person who stuck by me though the divorce and criticism were …
Tim.
As time went by people began to uncover the reality of my situation
and we slowly gained support as a couple.
A year or two into dating,
my ex-husband was diagnosed with leukemia and eventually died.
My three children suffered an incredible loss,
and Tim has been a good friend and support to my children.
Last October Tim asked me to marry him.
Marriage was scary for Tim
and he really wasn’t ready until he asked me.
We had talked about it quite a bit and one time I said to him,
“if anyone should be married it should be you and Iâ€.
He agreed and we began to make plans for our future as
husband and wife.
We initially planned to get married in the Catholic Church,
however the annulment process necessary for us to marry in the church
has taken so long.
Both of us have become impatient with the process
and want to take our future into our own hands.
We considered lots of different options for our wedding,
but ultimately it seemed right that it would just be the two of us,
the way it has been from the beginning.
In the end it will be Tim and I on the beach
with me in a white dress;
just the way Tim saw it 5 years ago.
We are very excited to finally be Mr. and Mrs. Monterossi!
