This is such a weird time for us. On September 10th, 2001, Jon and I boarded a plane for Maui-for our wedding. We flew out of Florida, through LAX, and onto Maui for our long awaited destination wedding planned for September 12th. We were very lucky, we safely arrived late September 10th, called my parents who were in Ohio visiting family, checked into our hotel, wandered around Maui, then went to bed, ready for the most important day, full of excitement and trepitation as most "almost" married couples are. Our families stayed behind and we were meeting two of our friends already there. We had an appointment September 11th, to get our marriage license. All was well. I woke up early September 11th. Jon was still sleeping. I walked out on our balcony with the beach on one side and the mountains on the other. I called my friend back home to brag about our view..."you don't know what's going on in the world, do you"...."what do you mean in the world"..."turn on your TV!!" I think she told me more, but that's all I remember. About this time Jon woke up.."Turn on the TV..terrorists flew into a building in New York!" We had to call our friends that were also in Maui and tell them what was going on, they didn't know yet. I remember we were on the phone a lot making sure family knew we were okay. We live near military bases and there were a lot of rumors floating around. We had to be sure that things were taken care of, since we were so far away. We spent many hours that day on the phone, watching TV, reading about what had happened. You see 9/11 had already happened by the time we woke up. Thankfully we didn't see the tragedy live, we didn't see the horror. We were scared, as everyone was....we were sad! But we were also in Hawaii, the trip of a lifetime, on the eve of our wedding. As awful as it sounds, we had to turn off the T.V. and enjoy our time there. That's why this time is so weird for us. On September 11th, we walked past the crowds gathered around T.V. screens, held eachother and walked into the office to get our marriage license. It was always in the back of our minds, and when we would go back to our hotel I would turn the tube on to see what was going on. Jon would tell me to turn it off. On September 12th we indeed did get married. I walked down the lobby, in my wedding dress to meet the man that became my husband. But each year as Jon and I get ready to celebrate our Marriage, we are torn. It's weird this time for us, we remember the trajedy in such a different light. We were so far from home, yet so connected to all those that lost their lives. We are so saddened, yet joyous at the same time. We were very lucky, in so many ways. Each year as the tributes are placed we look at eachother and are thankful that we were safe that day. Thankful like so many others that we didn't leave the next day. But we always remember the eve of our wedding....all those that lost their lives..it changed our world.
5 comments:
Ann, that must be so hard. Still, it is a good reminder that love and happiness still prevail even in the face of such horrid acts. Enjoy your anniversary and celebrate a love and lives ongoing.
Unforgotten.
Happy Anniversay! It is a good sign that there is love and joy after such a tragedy. Tomorrow remember the heros. On Tuesday celebrate your love and your life!
You have such a wonderful heart Ann. You always amaze me. I could only imagine how you two feel. We will always remember the innocent people that were killed in the tragedy, however, you two should throw that negative/maddness that we Americans have for those terroist into the celebration and make some good come!! Hope that came out the right way. Hugs and Happy Anniversary!!!
Happy anniversary to you and Jon. all we could do is remember those who have tragically passed away.
What a gorgeous picture. Thanks for the memory.
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