thedrifter
01-23-06, 06:33 AM
A day worth waiting for
War derailed dream wedding, but couple renews vows in style
Marketta Gregory
Staff writer
(January 23, 2006) — Gayla Starowitz always wanted her daughter to have the wedding of her dreams, but Sunday's ceremony was even more than her daughter had imagined.
Pillars of red, white and blue balloons stood at the front of Harro East Ballroom in downtown Rochester. A harpist played while 130 guests sat in slip-covered chairs with navy bows. White floral centerpieces seemed to float above tabletops, and three flower girls tossed rose petals as they approached the groom, Cpl. Michael Parsons.
"I don't deserve this," Cathy Parsons said as the beads on her wedding dress caught the afternoon sunshine. "Michael does."
But it was the story of both of them — a story of postponed weddings and military time served in the Middle East — that captured the hearts of the wedding professionals who belong to the Nuptial Network of Greater Rochester. Together they donated a $35,000 wedding package to make the couple's dream of a family wedding come true.
Michael, 24, a native of Piffard, Livingston County, proposed just before being shipped off to Iraq with the Marines for the first time in 2003. Their plans to marry nine months after his return were nixed when Michael, home four months, got word that he was heading back overseas. So they opted for a civil ceremony on Dec. 24, 2003. Cathy's parents listened via cell phone, and strangers served as witnesses. Michael left for the Middle East in February 2004.
"It was more important for her to focus on him than on getting the wedding of her dreams," said Starowitz. "That's how she is."
Apparently the feeling goes both ways, though.
While a soloist sang "Unforgettable," Michael held Cathy's hand in his. Wearing the white gloves of his dress uniform, he caressed her hand and wore a smile large enough to be seen from the balcony.
They wrote their own vows, which included promises to "dwell together insofar as the Marines will allow," and Cathy, 23 and originally from Byron, Genesee County, agreed to send favorite cookies and pictures during deployments.
Of course, they hope there won't be another deployment before the couple returns to the Rochester area for good this summer. But the subject wasn't far from their minds.
"One of the guests who is here, her husband is in Baghdad right now," Michael said, and every time reporters spoke to Cathy, tears would start to fall as she talked about other military families.
"We wish the best for all military families and the troops that are over there right now," she said as Angela Hall of Out of the Ordinary Events slipped a tissue into Cathy's hand.
Those touches — little and big — were helpful to the couple, who worked on the wedding from Camp Pendleton in California. More than 20 businesses donated services to make sure every detail was taken care of.
"I'd like to thank them from the bottom of my heart," Starowitz said as she waited with the bridal party for pictures. "This is a wonderful thing that they did for my family."
MGREGORY@DemocratandChronicle.com
Ellie
War derailed dream wedding, but couple renews vows in style
Marketta Gregory
Staff writer
(January 23, 2006) — Gayla Starowitz always wanted her daughter to have the wedding of her dreams, but Sunday's ceremony was even more than her daughter had imagined.
Pillars of red, white and blue balloons stood at the front of Harro East Ballroom in downtown Rochester. A harpist played while 130 guests sat in slip-covered chairs with navy bows. White floral centerpieces seemed to float above tabletops, and three flower girls tossed rose petals as they approached the groom, Cpl. Michael Parsons.
"I don't deserve this," Cathy Parsons said as the beads on her wedding dress caught the afternoon sunshine. "Michael does."
But it was the story of both of them — a story of postponed weddings and military time served in the Middle East — that captured the hearts of the wedding professionals who belong to the Nuptial Network of Greater Rochester. Together they donated a $35,000 wedding package to make the couple's dream of a family wedding come true.
Michael, 24, a native of Piffard, Livingston County, proposed just before being shipped off to Iraq with the Marines for the first time in 2003. Their plans to marry nine months after his return were nixed when Michael, home four months, got word that he was heading back overseas. So they opted for a civil ceremony on Dec. 24, 2003. Cathy's parents listened via cell phone, and strangers served as witnesses. Michael left for the Middle East in February 2004.
"It was more important for her to focus on him than on getting the wedding of her dreams," said Starowitz. "That's how she is."
Apparently the feeling goes both ways, though.
While a soloist sang "Unforgettable," Michael held Cathy's hand in his. Wearing the white gloves of his dress uniform, he caressed her hand and wore a smile large enough to be seen from the balcony.
They wrote their own vows, which included promises to "dwell together insofar as the Marines will allow," and Cathy, 23 and originally from Byron, Genesee County, agreed to send favorite cookies and pictures during deployments.
Of course, they hope there won't be another deployment before the couple returns to the Rochester area for good this summer. But the subject wasn't far from their minds.
"One of the guests who is here, her husband is in Baghdad right now," Michael said, and every time reporters spoke to Cathy, tears would start to fall as she talked about other military families.
"We wish the best for all military families and the troops that are over there right now," she said as Angela Hall of Out of the Ordinary Events slipped a tissue into Cathy's hand.
Those touches — little and big — were helpful to the couple, who worked on the wedding from Camp Pendleton in California. More than 20 businesses donated services to make sure every detail was taken care of.
"I'd like to thank them from the bottom of my heart," Starowitz said as she waited with the bridal party for pictures. "This is a wonderful thing that they did for my family."
MGREGORY@DemocratandChronicle.com
Ellie