If you can travel the world together and remain best friends, you've got a keeper! I most admire Dan & Lorena for their hunger for worldly travel! They are true jet setters with a multitude of amazing experiences! They first met at a company Christmas party in Atlanta. Although they were traveling around the world for work at that time and lived in two different cities they somehow organized their first date. Dan flew Lorena to San Francisco where they had their first trist and getting aquatinted. He wined and dined her in Napa where they discovered they had more and more in common. Before they met they were actually neighbors in Chicago, frequenting the same places but never actually meeting.
Next, Dan visited her in Miami where she and her family were living. I think it was at that point Dan called his boss and asked if he could leave the west coast and land a job in the warm sunny climate of South Florida. His wish was granted - sounds to me like destiny if you ask me! but it worked out perfectly. Next, they were flying in a helicopter on Christmas to Key West where Dan proposed. As Dan tells their story I see the passion he feels for Lorena. He says, "I knew I was going to marry her!" (laughing) He was both persistent and adventurous both will tell you. They're the perfect two to compliment one another. Their family life could not be more different, Dan from St. Louis and was raised Jewish and later attended Purdue. Lorena was born in Columbia, speaks spanish and raised Catholic. Passionate about traveling, Lorena probably has more stamps in her passport than anyone I know. She even taught Dan spanish...They made a rule after they started dating; every Sunday they only spoke Spanish to each other.
I love so many things about Lorena. She's the most considerate person I have ever met. She makes you feel like you are the most special person in the world. When she tells stories about her journeys no matter how fantastic - she always asks about you first. She gets to know me in such a way that you instantly connect with her. The best thing about her stories is the excitement evoked.
While toasting with a glass of red wine in their living room, I showed them their wedding pictures and thought to myself...In front of me are two people who have traveled the world, conquered the successes of work, languages and family. Now they sit in their
new house in Hollywood, Florida, on their new sofa with amazing stories about how they dated, rendezvoused in different cities and grew to see that they are the same person in most ways but have enough differences to keep them unique. It was then I realize, this is just the beginning....Most people only dream about having the adventures and visiting the places they have already seen. Most people only wish they could find a love that is not only your best friend but your travel buddy, you translator, you other half and now your spouse.
Salute to my great friends! Designing the most sentimental ceremony by incorporating both religions with their closest friends.
Oh and one fun party by the beach, under a full moon.
To think; it's really just the beginning.
A special thanks to
J. Morgan Flowers
The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach
