Galleria Marchetti

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

**valet will be available for $15 per car

Our Wedding

Hi, I'm Hany. I hope you enjoy the story of how I met and came to love Stephanie.After a difficult stage in my life at the end of the year 2020, God called me to move to the city of Aswan for service (Aswan is the southernmost province of Egypt, bordering Sudan). It is characterized by a very beautiful nature and is the most distinguished province in terms of the breadth of the Nile River, Pharaonic monuments, and very hot weather. Before the summer of 2021 came, I was preparing for the impending heat and drought. My friend and service partner, Maged, told me that an American would be visiting on a service trip to the hospital where we worked and we could ask her to bring insulated water bottles for us. This would be very important given the summer heat so I agreed immediately.We waited for a few weeks and I thought I was just preparing for the arrival of summer in Aswan. I did not know that God was making preparations for a new season in my personal life.On June 16, 2021 Maged told me that the water bottles arrived so we went to the hospital's guest house to meet the American. A girl came out to us who is the most beautiful I have ever seen in my life. I am not one of those people who believes in love at first sight, but this is what happened with Stephanie. With every feeling and every thought, I wanted to know her more.The next day, I saw her walking with Dr. Susan (an American physician who had just moved to Aswan). I felt many different feelings and immediately went to my office to bring them mangoes from my refrigerator. I presented them under the pretext that I wanted to thank Stephanie for bringing the bottles, but the truth was that I just wanted to talk to her. The problem was that I didn't speak English and she didn't speak Arabic.I felt frustrated but I persisted. I asked Maged to come with me and translate. On the way I told him we should invite her to dinner because she brought us the bottles, and he agreed. So, it was arranged and we went out as a group with a few others.I was feeling very happy. During dinner, one of the group asked me to share my testimony of faith so I did. I shared my full story and when I was finished, I was looking at Stephanie from the middle of the whole group as if I wanted to say to her, "This is me, this is my past, and this is what God has done with me". We finished dinner and went as a group to have fresh juice at a cafe along the Nile. While we were there, an accident occurred on the road. I rushed to the site of the accident, hoping to provide assistance. I found the young man drowned in blood and dying. I tried to approach him to pray but I could not and he died. I returned to the group, drenched in tears because of this young man who died and did not know the Lord of eternal life. Our day ended and everyone went home.I was surprised by a message from Stephanie checking in on me after what had happened. We started communicating and I asked her if it would be okay to meet for coffee before work in the morning. We agreed to meet at 6am and continued to do so for the rest of the week. We would exchange conversation through translation technology on our phones. The last day of her visit came and I wanted her to stay in Egypt forever and not leave.For the next year we kept in touch from time to time by video call, and during that year I began to learn English so I could communicate with her better. I asked if she wanted to come to Egypt and live here serving medically and she told me no, God hadn't called her to serve in Egypt. She asked me if I would consider moving to America, and I told her no, God hadn't called me to serve away from the Arab/Middle Eastern community. It was at this time that I felt it was impossible for us to be together. We were from two different countries and two different languages, with two different callings from God in our lives. I felt frustrated because of the strength of my feelings for Stephanie. Although it was an impossible situation, I chose to remain friends and stay connected.Before the end of the summer of 2021, I was praying for God to give me clarity for my next season of calling and He reminded me of Peter's vision from Acts 10 in the Bible. There was a sheet full of creatures and God asked him to eat from it, but he refused because he was Jewish and it would be unclean. I felt God's voice saying to me that the door that I open in front of you, do not close it. But I did not understand what that meant. At the same time, a large number of Afghan refugees were entering the States and I heard of their great need. Still, there was nothing I could do. Stephanie was in America and I was in Egypt.Until March 22nd. Stephanie visited the hospital again with a couple that became my most beautiful friends, Evan and Meghan. We spent 4 days together in Aswan and 1 in Cairo. During these days, my feelings towards Stephanie were again confirmed. She was the girl with whom I wanted to spend the rest of my life, but I was standing still in front of the obstacle of service and vocation.After she left, I went to my mentor and spoke to him about Stephanie, my feelings towards her, my service, and my calling. He reminded me that the Bible says, "Let the man leave his father and mother and cling to his wife". As men in the field of service and missions, we follow the voice of God in the different seasons of life and it is not we who impose on God the form of service that we desire. If God opens before you a new door to service and a new season in your life, be obedient and follow it. I felt assurance in my heart and I shared my feelings and thoughts with Stephanie. We took time apart to pray.We spoke again on May 3, 2022 and I asked her if we were a family and God called us to a mission away from America, would she go? And she said she would, if God directed us. I told her I loved her and wanted to marry her. And she told me that on the first day we met and I shared my story and she saw how my heart broke when the young man died and did not know Christ, a voice inside her spoke to her, "I have found the one my soul loves". This day will remain one of the most beautiful days of my life because God blessed me not only with a beautiful girl, but he placed in my heart feelings and love for her that overcame all my fears and hesitations.I cannot say that the year and a half that followed was an easy time-- the opposite. But, I can say that despite the difficult time I was touched by God's grace, His care for us, and His faithfulness. He has given us a love that has allowed us to overcome the barriers we have faced in our unique personalities, cultures, distance, time, and health.Today, I feel grateful to God for the presence of Stephanie in my life, and I feel grateful towards Stephanie for her patience with me in walking this path together, and I am happy that we could share our story with you, which is just at its beginning, I pray.May our God do His will in our lives.We are waiting for you to come and share our joy with us on March 9, 2024.

Steph & Hany

Our Story

Photos

Steph and Janet met freshman year of college and became the best of friends! Their greatest hope was to be invited to the football banquet, mission accomplished! Janet is an amazing chef, artist, and mama. She is a lover of football talk radio and grocery stores.

Janet Tang

Amy and Steph met at church in Pilsen-- and Steph immediately knew Amy was good people! Amy is always ready to laugh, is a brilliant teacher of God's Word, and has been a beautiful model for marriage with her husband Joe.

Amy Buehler

Mehta and Steph met at Lawndale (clinic)! Their home away from home. Mehta is an incredible midwife and the most beautiful soul you'll ever meet. She is supportive, kind, & smart, always ready to be real, and makes an insane feta dip!! I advise you see her for restaurant recommendations.

Brittany Mehta

Emily Burton--to know her is to love her. Steph met Emily when she was interviewing for a job at Lawndale and decided to work there just to be friends with Em. She is the life of the party, a faithful Cowboys fan, a lover of all things Dolly, and a wise and godly lady. She lacks stranger danger. 

Emily "get your gun" Burton

Steph and Julia have been friends for over 10 years now! Wild. They lived together for a few years in Chicago and are now neighbors in Humboldt Park! Julia and Steph both love to read books and harass Emily Burton. Julia is passionate about the city of Chicago-- and more importantly, the surrounding suburbs. 

Julia Dennis

Lauren aka Renny aka Lorraine has been Steph's A1 since day 1. They met in 5th grade when Lauren was suspicious of Steph  lying about dying her hair. She is a superb investigator, a diehard Chiefs fan, and one of the funniest people you'll ever meet. Visit her for any embarrassing stories about the bride. 

Lauren Fallon

Ing and Steph met doing college student ministry together in Wheaton. They bonded over their love for popcorn, the pool, and movies! Her dog-child Bentley is also close to Steph's heart though he cannot make it to the wedding. If you would like advice on home decor and flipping houses-- Ingrid is your gal!

Ingrid Erickson

Kyu has slept on a cot in Steph's apartment for over a year as she was never intending to stay for more than a few months. She is the most faithful and serving friend a person could find. She will crochet you anything you'd like-- requests can be made at table 3 during the reception.

Kyulana "Molly" Yo

Steph and David have been friends since highschool in Kansas City! Their greatest accomplishment as youth was getting Papa Bessenbacher's car fixed after David was in a fender bender when he wasn't supposed to be driving his dad's car. This is still unbeknownst to Papa Bessenbacher (unless he reads this). You can find David on the dance floor or at a nearby karaoke lounge.

David Bessenbacher

Hany met Evan and his wife Meghan in Egypt 2 years ago and they have been good friends ever since! Evan is adventurous, open, kind, and funny. Hany called Evan "habibi" before he called Steph that-- and even made it onto his instagram before her. :)  Evan is a new dad to baby Elijah!! If you need a CUTE baby fix-- ask to see photos!

Evan Winston

Mike, known to most of the wedding party as "Mikey" (despite his discomfort) is Steph's little brother. Hany and Mikey have developed a friendship over facetime and he and his wife Catherine have won the "best wedding gift award" by flying Hany to America. Mikey is quite literally a rocket scientist, an amazing dad, and dabbles in woodwork.

Mike Solari

Wedding Party

Q + A

Den King is $199+taxDen Double Queen is $209+taxBreakfast IncludedLimited parking, w/ feeCut-off date for rate above is Feb 2!

Stephanie & Hany

Stephanie & Hany

Photos