 |
|
|
Erich, outside Lake Placid, summer 2001
HOW WE MET:
One May day, in 1998 in North Salem, NY, our Best Man, Brian Cernik invited Michelle
up to his parents' house. Lo and behold there was a get together to be had which included Erich and both his and Brian's friends.
Out of her element (there were way too many girls she didn't know) Michelle took a walk up the road. There, she got cornered
by the Wenis dog up the street, Pebbles, who convinced Michelle she was related to Cujo, with her growling and stalking. Finally,
Michelle returned to the get together, climbed up a tree and watched everyone play a game of softball in the front yard. The
most contact she and Erich had was a bit of palm reading and, finally, after Brian convinced her to get down from the tree,
a little bit of whiffle ball. As for Erich's recollection of meeting Michelle that day, he recalls meeting a strange, wild-haired
girl, who, upon meeting him, told him she was going to read his palm. Michelle in turn, remembers the long hair and hippie
shirt and thought, 'That's a kindred spirit.' Later that afternoon the get together moved to Erich's house in Danbury, CT
and the night ended with some pasta and the video rental, Happy Gilmore.
OUR ENGAGEMENT:
Erich and Michelle were celebrating their third anniversary 'on the third day of
the third month of the year' (as Erich loves to say) at the Bear Mountain Inn, in Hudson Valley, NY. The Bear Mountain Inn
had become quite their special place because of the Wenis family's annual Thanksgiving brunch tradition there. Since joining
the Wenis family on these annual brunches, Michelle and Erich have hiked and camped the state park's beautiful land. Just
as (as they like to believe - they're not entirely sure), Erich's grandparents' might have, when they were young and in love.
Erich surprised Michelle with an anniversary trip and Michelle was thrilled when they pulled up the Bear Mountain Inn, with
dinner and overnight reservations. The dinner was delicious and they took a walk afterwards and watched the skaters in the
rink before the night ended. The next day, Erich convinced Michelle how wonderful it would be to open their anniversary gifts
at the top of the Mountain. After much whining (there was too much to eat the night before), Michelle agreed and when they
reached the top of the Mountain (at approx. 1700 feet), Erich got some new rockclimbing equipment! Now, it was her turn.
|
|
Michelle, Puerto Rico, summer 2000
He asked Michelle to close her eyes, hold out her hand and guess what her present was. He placed an anchor in her palm.
Out of his knapsack had come out a little wooden sailboat pull toy. After she gave up on guessing he continued, 'There are
two gifts I'm going to give you. You said you didn't need a diamond, and that all you needed was a sailboat, so this is your
first gift.' Michelle opened her eyes and glowed at the sight of what she hoped was her 'promise boat' (instead of a 'promise
ring'). Next, Erich said, 'The next gift is a promise,' and he lifted his thumb up from the sailboat and out shined the most
beautiful ruby engagement ring imaginable! He then asked, 'Michelle, will you be my wife? Will you marry me?'
Our married hands above, taken the night of our civil ceremony.
|
|
|
-
Nico boy in his Baptism outfit, January 25th 2004
Nicolas Erich, the newest member of the family.
Arrived on September 6th, 2003, about 4 weeks early.
He's about 15lbs as of this update, and is able to sit up with some support for a short period of time. He's just
getting into the teething stage, and wer'e working him up to being able to fully support himself when on his stomach, to begin
crawling.
We can't wait to take him on hikes, and with Spring right around the corner it looks to be soon :)
|
|
|
|
|
