First Church in Middletown, UCC, Congregational

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

The Flying Monkey Grill & Bar

Second Breakfast (Brunch)

Fall

Our Wedding

Justin & Ri - A Story of Love, Acceptance… and Nerdy Shenanigans 

In July 2020, Our Bride Ri, & her 2-year-old daughter Liara, were two peas in a pod. Ri was a single mother doing her best to raise her sweet baby girl on her own. 

First it was 2

Throughout&nbsp;July&nbsp;2020,&nbsp;&&nbsp;into&nbsp;August&nbsp;2020,&nbsp;Justin&nbsp;was&nbsp;an&nbsp;emotionally&nbsp;supportive&nbsp;&&nbsp;caring&nbsp;friend.&nbsp;He&nbsp;was&nbsp;always&nbsp;willing&nbsp;to&nbsp;listen&nbsp;to&nbsp;her&nbsp;without&nbsp;judgement&nbsp;and&nbsp;offer&nbsp;genuine&nbsp;kindness.&nbsp;He&nbsp;made&nbsp;his&nbsp;intentions&nbsp;clear,&nbsp;while&nbsp;giving&nbsp;her&nbsp;space&nbsp;&&nbsp;patience&nbsp;during&nbsp;a&nbsp;time&nbsp;where&nbsp;Ri&nbsp;was&nbsp;truly&nbsp;hurting&nbsp;&&nbsp;was&nbsp;having&nbsp;difficulty&nbsp;trusting&nbsp;herself,&nbsp;more&nbsp;so&nbsp;than&nbsp;him.&nbsp; One&nbsp;day,&nbsp;however,&nbsp;would&nbsp;take&nbsp;their&nbsp;friendship&nbsp;(tentatively)&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;next&nbsp;chapter. On&nbsp;August&nbsp;17th,&nbsp;2020,&nbsp;our&nbsp;bride’s&nbsp;29th&nbsp;birthday,&nbsp;Justin&nbsp;had&nbsp;asked&nbsp;what&nbsp;she&nbsp;was&nbsp;doing&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;occasion.&nbsp;To&nbsp;which&nbsp;she&nbsp;replied,&nbsp;“Nothing,&nbsp;just&nbsp;hanging&nbsp;out&nbsp;with&nbsp;my&nbsp;kiddo.”&nbsp;To&nbsp;which&nbsp;he&nbsp;responded&nbsp;with,&nbsp;“What&nbsp;kind&nbsp;of&nbsp;cake&nbsp;do&nbsp;you&nbsp;like?” Fast&nbsp;forward&nbsp;to&nbsp;about,&nbsp;20&nbsp;minutes&nbsp;later,&nbsp;Justin&nbsp;pulls&nbsp;up&nbsp;with&nbsp;an&nbsp;entire&nbsp;Junior’s&nbsp;raspberry&nbsp;swirl&nbsp;cheesecake&nbsp;and&nbsp;a&nbsp;pretty&nbsp;bouquet&nbsp;of&nbsp;flowers&nbsp;(the&nbsp;first&nbsp;time&nbsp;a&nbsp;man&nbsp;has&nbsp;ever&nbsp;brought&nbsp;her&nbsp;flowers).&nbsp;&nbsp; Her&nbsp;eyes&nbsp;watered&nbsp;with&nbsp;happy&nbsp;tears&nbsp;at&nbsp;the&nbsp;gesture.&nbsp;See,&nbsp;Justin&nbsp;had&nbsp;to&nbsp;go&nbsp;to&nbsp;work,&nbsp;but&nbsp;wanted&nbsp;her&nbsp;to&nbsp;feel&nbsp;special&nbsp;on&nbsp;her&nbsp;birthday.&nbsp;It&nbsp;was&nbsp;then&nbsp;she&nbsp;knew&nbsp;that&nbsp;he&nbsp;was&nbsp;thoughtful,&nbsp;and&nbsp;sweet.&nbsp;The&nbsp;kind&nbsp;of&nbsp;person&nbsp;who&nbsp;she’d&nbsp;like&nbsp;to&nbsp;spend&nbsp;time&nbsp;with.

When God Closes One Door, Somewhere He Opens A Window. 

It’s&nbsp;Friday,&nbsp;August&nbsp;21st,&nbsp;2020,&nbsp;Justin&nbsp;offers&nbsp;Ri,&nbsp;a&nbsp;much&nbsp;needed&nbsp;evening&nbsp;of&nbsp;merriment&nbsp;&&nbsp;good&nbsp;food.&nbsp;He&nbsp;discovers&nbsp;that&nbsp;she&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;hardcore&nbsp;(borderline&nbsp;obsessed)&nbsp;Lord&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;Rings&nbsp;fan.&nbsp;He&nbsp;then&nbsp;informs&nbsp;her&nbsp;that&nbsp;he&nbsp;owns&nbsp;the&nbsp;extended&nbsp;edition&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;aforementioned&nbsp;trilogy,&nbsp;&&nbsp;that&nbsp;he&nbsp;would&nbsp;love&nbsp;nothing&nbsp;more&nbsp;than&nbsp;to&nbsp;enjoy&nbsp;that&nbsp;trilogy&nbsp;with&nbsp;her&nbsp;and&nbsp;some&nbsp;pizza.

The Fellowship Begins 

After a few incredible dates, Ri felt comfortable with having Justin meet her little girl, Liara. They hit it off, Justin’s sweet demeanor and gentle nature took center stage as they played.

Justin meets Liara

Fast&nbsp;Forward&nbsp;a&nbsp;bit,&nbsp;Justin&nbsp;has&nbsp;found&nbsp;a&nbsp;little&nbsp;family&nbsp;of&nbsp;his&nbsp;own&nbsp;in&nbsp;Ri&nbsp;&&nbsp;Liara,&nbsp;&&nbsp;they&nbsp;in&nbsp;him. They&nbsp;have&nbsp;love&nbsp;in&nbsp;insurmountable&nbsp;abundance.

Now There’s 3 - A Trilogy of Love

We are blessed and honored to have you join us as we celebrate our journey from friendship, to a lifelong fellowship of fierce loyalty and unwavering love.

Justin & Riana

Justin & Riana

Registry

Thank you so much for joining us in celebrating our love story! We are so grateful to be surrounded by people who love us and insurmountably thankful for any contributions made towards our happy future! Thank you and we love you all, Justin & Riana