Celebration

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Once upon a time, a girl and a boy reconnected on Facebook after 60 years. They wrote a few emails and texts, then gradually more emails and texts, and phone calls, each secretly finding that there seemed to be a "spark" between them (but, of course, neither spoke about that!) The girl mentioned that she was going to Paimpol, France, to live and study for a short while with a teacher. The boy mentioned he had dear friends who lived in Paris. She wondered if she could maybe meet them during the three days she would be in Paris after her study. "Hey, why don't you come too?" she said. I know some very expensive restaurants in Paris, and you can take me to dinner!" She was kidding, of course. But the boy didn't laugh. Instead, he said, "YES! I'll come!" So it was that he met her train in Paris when she arrived from Paimpol. They laughingly embraced, so happy to meet again in person after such a long long time. There was an immediate connection! There was joy! And there was "coup de foudre" (lightning bolt, love at first sight) all over the place. The girl was staying in Paris and the boy was staying with his friends outside of Paris, but they saw each other every one of her three days, and they fell deeply in love. After a very short while it became clear that they wanted to be together forever and they decided to get married. They eloped, honoring the French way of marrying- which is first in a civil ceremony and then in an intimate, more personal ceremony, surrounded by dearest family and friends. (YOU!) We are so happy you are going to be with us for Ceremony No. 2. Thank you from the bottoms of our hearts. Love,Steve and Cindy

Three Days in Paris: Our Story

Friday, September 27 - 8:15 pm A concert (8:45 pm)- Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" and Mozart's "A Little Night Music" Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Pres, Main Hall3 place Saint-Germain-des-Pres, Paris General seating. We will gather in front of the church promptly at 8:15 pm. One of my favorite churches in Paris is the beautiful Eglise St. Germain des Pres. It was originally the church of a Benedictine abbey founded in 558 by Childebert I, the son of Clovis, King of the Franks. It was destroyed by the Vikings, rebuilt, and renamed in the 8th century for Saint Germain, an early Bishop of the city. It was rebuilt with elements in the new Gothic style in the eleventh century and was given the first flying buttresses in Paris in the 12th century. It is considered the oldest existing church in Paris. Steve and I stopped in to see this church on our "first date" in Paris. We sat quietly for a short time, admiring the church and listening to a string quintet in rehearsal for an upcoming concert. We are so excited that on our very special weekend we'll get to hear the wonderful strings of Orchestre Helios play Vivaldi and Mozart in this same church! Please join us. Cindy XOXO Please RSVP ASAP to: steve.linder@1969.usna.com Saturday, September 28 - 7:15 pm Please join us for a brief ceremony and a two-hour dinner cruise under the stars, sailing on the Seine River aboard Le Calife (calife.com/en). The Calife will embark near the base of the Pont des Arts, Left Bank, facing the Louvre. Please arrive promptly at 7:15 pm and gather with us at the Calife boat ramp (see "Map"). Attire is "Festive," whatever feels good and makes you happy. Be as formal or as casual as you wish. You're in Paris, PLAY! No gifts, please (unless you want to buy us a Ferrari)! Your presence will be our presents. Sunday, September 29 - 10:00 am (?) Brunch - Sunday, late morning. Where and when TBD. We are working on this and will have details as soon as possible. It will be a simple breakfast/brunch most likely somewhere in the 6th Arrondissement. Just a chance to gather once more and say our goodbyes before we all take off in different directions (or go back to bed to recover from wedding craziness). If you want to be counted in for brunch please RSVP ASAP to: steve.linder@1969.usna.com

Event Schedule

Photos

Wedding Party

We are staying here. There are many wonderful hotels in Paris. Maybe you have a favorite? Following are some we like in the 6th Arrondissement, where most of our wedding activities will take place. They are mostly boutique hotels, four stars, charming, clean and well-located, but not fancy.

Hôtel La Perle

Madison Hôtel

Please note - this hotel has no room air conditioning but is very comfortable and well-cooled by room fans.

Hôtel d'Angleterre Saint Germain des Prés

Hotel le Clement

Hôtel Fougère

Hotels

Musée d'Orsay

Tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte

Louvre Museum

Arc de Triomphe

La Galerie Dior

Jardin du Luxembourg

Things to Do

Registry

Small pleasures, favorites, and a few tips, in no particular order: 1. If you are on your way to see Notre Dame Cathedral, be sure to stop by and say hello to the oldest tree in Paris, the Robina Tree of Square Réné Viviana. It is over 400 years old and is located across from the Cathedral, on the left bank, Rue Saint-Julien le Pauvre. 2. Also near Notre Dame is Berthillon, considered by many to be the best ice cream shop in Paris. Located on the Île Saint-Louis at nos. 31 and 46. Miam miam... (French for "yum yum!") 3. And speaking of "miam miam"...Renowned bread: Poilâne Boulangerie, 8 Rue du Cherche-Midi, in the 6th Arrondissement. Just go! 4. A favorite bookstore can be found at 26 Blvd Saint-Michel (6th arrondissement). Gilbert Joseph Paris 6 Librairie is not charming, but an in-your-face bookstore that has everything! Two buildings and multi-leveled, but strangely intimate. You can get lost for a few hours here. 5. Tip: always greet and say goodbye to shopkeepers when entering and exiting a store. Unlike in America, where it isn't always necessary, in France it is considered rude not to do so. A simple "Bonjour/au revoir, Madame or Monsieur" is enough but a "Merci" is always appreciated. 6. At 6:30 PM every evening at the base of the Arc de Triomphe a torch is rekindled and veterans lay wreaths decorated with blue, white, and red (bleu, blanc, rouge) near its flickering flame. Afterward, you could go to the top of the Arc for a fabulous view of the "étoile" and the city at night. Also great during the day but without the benefit of the beautiful torch-lighting ceremony, of course. 7. Take a stroll down Rue Mouffetard in the Latin Quarter. It's famously quaint and picturesque. It dates from when the Romans were in town and is home to a beautiful street market. You could pick up lunch and head to the Jardin du Luxembourg for a green bench and great people-watching (and if you're lucky a band will be playing on the lovely gazebo and you can dance!) 8. While on the subject of dancing, there is street music everywhere. I strongly suggest a twirl or two across any lane, bridge, or square whenever you are so moved. You are in Paris! Get lost, find your own Paris, have a ball. (See what I did there?) 9. As my mother always said:"Take your umbrella and bring a sweater, dear." - Cindy XOXO

Tips

1. What does coup de foudre mean?2. Who is "Tom" and how does he fit into the picture?3. Why did Steve and Cindy wear matching outfits when they visited Notre Dame in 2023?4. In what city did Cindy do an immersive study before traveling to Paris in 2023?5. In what year did steve.linder@1969.usna.com graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy?6. What is twirling and what bridge over the Seine is best for doing it?7. What do we want you to do ASAP? Scroll down for answers (don't peek!) 1. Lightning bolt or love at first sight2. "Tom" is Steve - when Cindy found out he was a fighter pilot she started calling him Tom Cruise3. They didn't - it was fate. Something electric between them!4. Paimpol5. 1969 (duh!)6. Dancing in circles - any bridge in Paris will do!7. Decide to come, RSVP for the dinner cruise on Saturday night and let us know if you want to go to the Friday concert and the Sunday brunch. Thank you.

Quiz

Cindy & Steve

Cindy & Steve

Map