John and Sue make it 25 years

25 years...an inspiration.

25 YEARS AND MORE TO COME!
The Hawaii Vow Renewal of John and Sue

So did you miss me at all? I've been away from my blog as you can tell. You know, I've been meaning to get around to writing John and Sue's blog post for the longest time, and here I am finally doing it. I can't believe it myself! I think it's been close to a month since I wrote about a client of mine. Horrible...I know! You don't have to remind me. Well, here goes. John...Sue...everyone, thanks for being patient.

From the moment I met John and Sue, I knew there was something special about them. From the first day Sue had contacted me, her warmth bubbly personality literally enveloped me and made smile. Her ambitions were rather simple. She wanted to celebrate 25 years with her husband with a vow renewal ceremony on the beach of Hawaii. Sue also needed some help finding the right place to stay. Through some of her own research she found a few condos... in Waianae.

"Waianae?" I thought to myself, "Not good.....REALLY NOT GOOD." Waianae is literally the 3rd world city of Hawaii, literally, the Wild Wild West of Oahu. They have a homeless problem there, high crime, drugs, pockets of racism, you name the sin, they've got it. In other words, it's best not to head in that direction, especially if you're a tourist.

I quickly referred Sue to a group of vacation rental homes that I planned many weddings at, The Kawela Kai Nani homes on the North Shore. It didn't take very long before she was sold.

Kmet's Vow Renewal from Steven Young on Vimeo.

Now, there's something that you should know about John and Sue. They are practical jokers, pranksters, comedians, all of the above. I really wish you all could meet them in person, because you would know right-off-hand, why are perfect for each other. So how did this perfect couple meet?

Well, I thought I'd let Sue take it from here:

How me met – wow, it’s been a long time since someone ask me that. Well, the year was 1980 (30 years ago – incredible) I needed a job and a friend directed me to a local company. As luck would have it John was the manager (and interviewer) for this position and I found the first rung of my career ladder.

We’re one of those weird couples who were actually just great friends who kind of accidentally started dating. We were married in 1984 each brought ourselves and two children to the union. Since it was a second marriage for us both it was so more then a wedding; it was a true blending of families.

In 1984 our children were 13, 10, 6 and 4; we talked of having more children but honestly decided if we could raise the four we already had to be healthy responsible adults – we would be truly blessed. Our kids are awesome (in some cases the road was long, very long) and we have been blessed with 4 fabulous grandchildren with another due on 10/10/10....."

One of the few pictures that John and Sue were not laughing at each other...

I swear, Sue's in this picture somewhere

Logistic wise, wow renewals are pretty much the same actual weddings, from the proposal to the ceremony, to the reception. Usually, vow renewals are a surprise. More often, there is some type of ring involved...

Here's Sue again:

"Well, 1984-2009 meant John and I celebrated our 25 th anniversary last year.

Imagine my surprise when in front of family and friends, John dropped to one knee – pulled out a ring box and ask me to renew our vows! Not only was I astonished that he would even consider such a thing but that he actually planned and organized it alone was even more shocking. I, of course, said yes and as you know we renewed our vows with you and Rev Parker earlier this year. This proves that some people will make the same mistake twice!
Looking back now – what an amazing ride! John and I are both thrilled and still find it hard to believe that we’ve been married 25 years. This is truly a case of being married to your best friend. I can’t remember a time without him and don’t want to imagine a future that doesn’t include him. Corny, I know……"

Always smiling

Just John's luck.... I didn't snap a picture of him crying...

Hand-in-hand

In my non-humble opinion, marriage is one of "thee toughest things" that one can do in one's life. To my newlyweds, always remember that love is a commitment, not an emotion. Happiness, joy, sorrow, jealousy, you get my drift, those are emotions which come and go. No one can stay happy forever..because happiness is an emotion. If you're happy all the time, all hours of the day, every second of the day, you need to check yourself into a clinic. Wasn't the Joker in Batman, always happy?

Noted, it is extremely possible, to love every second of the day. It is extremely possible, to love every hour of the day, and every day of the year, for the rest of your life. Because...yes, love is a commitment. You don't have to get checked into a clinic for loving your wife or husband forever (except me..haha..)

Alright, so love is a commitment. A darn hard one right? Need some advice? Yeah, I bet you do. Well, I picked Sue's brain and asked her to write some words of advice to all my newlyweds. I also wanted to hear it for myself. Here goes...straight from Sue again:

"My advice to newlyweds,

Don't worry about who's right. Proving your point won't help your relationship. The question is always how you can move forward together, not who should have done what differently. Learn to choose your battles; you don’t have to be right about everything.

Always make time for each other and always let your spouse be your best friend. Someday your children (hopefully) will be grown and gone. Don’t find yourself setting across the breakfast table from someone you haven’t spoken to in 25 years.

Make a conscious decision each day that you love your spouse. In the beginning, this is easy. As time goes by, it can be harder. But if you decide each morning that you will love your spouse, your actions for that day will be from love rather than anger, resentment, or whatever other actions may (and will) cause you problems.

I guess I would tell them to have fun with each other, laugh a lot, fight a little and always keep your sense of humor!

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. "

God, is she good or what? Sue needs her own talk radio show, or forum, or something. Don't we all agree here? She needs to get paid to be relationship guru?

Personalized liquor. Even I got my own bottle! Too bad I don't drink.

That's an upside down pineapple cake. It was a 10.



Me with Butch, friend of Sue and John, and my dad.

Okay, I'm not done with this blog yet. This is how small this world is. Sue and John invited me to their reception. I of course agreed. I never turn down food, especially if it's free, and fed to me by amazingly-awesome people. So at this party, I'm talking to everyone there, sharing laughs, stories, and then I run into an older gentleman who sadly lost his daughter in September 11th. I had never been so close to someone who had been lost a loved one during these attacks. Well, this gentleman, Butch, was here with his wife because he was friends of Sue. Normal right? Not really. See, Sue had worked specifically with the families that had lost loved ones during our Nation's tragedy and she eventually had become friends with Butch's family. But the story does end there. Butch is also a friend my father.

Small world huh? It's a small world after all...CUE THE CREEPY MUSIC!

Well, I think I exhausted my brain now....haha. John, Sue, thank you for everything. I don't want to say awesome again or super-fantastic, because I may come off sounding flaming...which I'm not. But you two still wow me till this very day.

Keep in touch.


Steve Young
The Hawaii Wedding Guy
http://www.dreamweddingshawaii.com