Today is Our 4th Wedding Anniversary!

Today marks four years that Tom and I have been legally married.
  On June 26, 2009, we got legally married in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Because our marriage wasn't legal in Maryland at the time, we had to go to the nearest state where it was legal. That was Connecticut. It took a little work and some good friends to make it all work out.
  My (Rob) brother Doug suggested Bridgeport as a good city to get married in, and he contacted his friend (the mayor of Bridgeport) who recommended a restaurant to have the post-vow lunch.

Mike officiating our wedding as our best man, Jeff looks on

 Our friend Jeff was our best man, and he drove up to Connecticut with us. We all remember the drive- it was a Thursday night and it took about 9 hours (instead of 6) because  of really bad traffic, lane closures, construction, etc. We got to the hotel and crashed. The next morning, our wedding day, we got up early and checked out City Hall before it opened, a nearby park where we  planned on getting married, and the restaurant  where we planned lunch.
     Our friends Mike and Amy Bettwy flew to Connecticut. Mike married us - but it wouldn't be in the park. We met Mike and Amy at City Hall where Tom and I got our official marriage license. We remember how wonderful the City Hall clerk was when we got the license. 

Friends and family at the restaurant wedding ceremony

     After getting the license, we went outside to the park. overcast skies threatened rain, so we went to the restaurant and called the small bunch of friends who insisted on driving hours from Massachusetts to be there.  It was going to be just us, Jeff, Mike and Amy - but I let some friends in New England know (since we were up there anyway). BTW-We planned a reception in the backyard in September for everyone to celebrate with us.
   The staff and manager of the restaurant were incredibly accommodating. They knew we had reservations for 12, but didn't know we'd be getting married there!  They put us in an area, and pulled a large curtain around it, giving us a large "private room." The restaurant is "Ralph and Rich's" and we urge everyone to go there: Click for Ralph and Rich's Website.
     The ceremony was short and perfect. Mike did an amazing job. Tom and I each read our own vows, and of course, we both cried during them. It was an amazing day. That was four years ago, and we continue to grow in love with each other. We have amazing canine children (we never thought we'd have 4 dogs), great family and friends.