Ok, I'll level with you. I'm still trying to figure this one out myself.

If you ask her, its probably a case of "He's smart, funny, and he'll do." If you ask me (Ray), it's more-so something resembling Stockholm Syndrome. In any case, I'm not one to mess with a good thing so don't mess this up for me.

Our story begins at different time points depending on how poetic you're feeling. Feeling like Rupi Kaur? OK here it is.

"She walks with her head held high. Beautiful. Confident. From primordial existence to celestial presence, her light and love brings life to him." - Not Actually Rupi

If you are more of a pragmatist, our story begins with a green dress. You guys, I looked so good in it. My biceps and triceps were straight off a 225 lbs bench press PR and I was looking good (if I do say so myself.) From across the room, Marina, looking shy and awkward couldn't help but oogle and oggle. ALL the girls were eyeing Ray. And that's it. That's where the story ended for quite some time. Marina never was one with the courage to do more than admire.

(I hope, by now, you have the insight to realize that Marina was in the green dress. Ray was actually dressed in an oversized 1960's suit with shoulder pads. Blame Mikey.)

Fast forward a couple months. Ray is at a bar with (you guessed it) Mikey.

Dammit Mikey.

So I send this girl a text and ask her out. She hits me with "No. But you can come bowling with my friends and me."

Hello darkness my old friend. I've come to talk with you again.

Time goes on. COVID hits. And the question "Would you date me if the world was ending?" becomes less of a hypothetical and more of a serious consideration.

Houseparty. Zoom. Facetime. I think I even did a "homemade" facemask with this girl. She had me put egg on my face. (That's not a euphamism. She told me to put toilet paper on my face, and slobber egg on top of it. I'm not proud.)

I have no idea why you're still reading. If you're looking for a heart warming story, I recommend Titanic. As for Marina and Ray, our story is simple.

We're here simply because He made us for this place, at this time, together. I wish I had a better story for you. I wish I had the secret to convincing the pretty girl to be your wife. But all we have here is a thankful prayer to God. He is Love. And He found us.

We aren't ones to mess with a Good Thing.

M&R

Ceremony

Reception