Congratulations goes out to Evelyn & Omar, who won this week’s Proposal of the Week Contest for the second straight week! Will they win a third week? Come back next week to find out?
Evelyn Protano & Omar Abdelhamid
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Date: February 13, 2010
Evelyn & Omar
Evelyn writes: Omar and I got engaged the night before Valentine’s Day. For this story to make sense, you need to know that Omar and I have a thing with penguins, which started when he bought me a giant stuffed penguin when I was having a rough time at work. It’s been a running joke ever since.
Anyway, Omar said he didn’t want to wait to exchange gifts on Valentine’s Day, and suggested that we exchange gifts right then. Omar gave me three bags, one small, one medium, and one large. I opened the small bag, and it contained a set of penguin nesting dolls! In the middle of the first set of nesting dolls was a note that said, open bag number 2.
In the second bag, was another set of penguin nesting dolls! At the middle of this set, was a note that said open bag number 3. I opened the third and largest bag, and it contained two giant penguin nesting dolls! Inside the second nesting doll, was a black box with a beautiful ring. He proposed, and I said yes.
On this day in wedding history, two struggling, young actors, John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands, were married. They remained together until Cassavetes death in 1989 at the age of 59.
During their 35 years together, this remarkable Hollywood couple raised three children while establishing impressive careers — Cassavetes as a writer/director and Rowlands as an award-winning actress of stage, TV and film.
Cassavetes and Rowlands, may have, at first, seemed an unlikely couple. Cassavetes was the son of Greek immigrants and didn’t speak English until age 7 when his family returned to New York City from Greece. Rowlands, on the other hand, was a beautiful, popular Midwest girl whose father was a US diplomat and mother was a painter and housewife.
Though they had decidedly different backgrounds, Cassavetes and Rowland had one thing in common — a passion for the theatre. During their marriage, they not only achieved individual success but they collaborated on ten films, two of which resulted in Academy Award nominated performances.
Since his death, Cassavetes’ legacy continues through Rowlands and their children, Nick, Alexandra, and Zoe, who have all followed in their talented parents’ footsteps.
Dear Grace,
An old sorority sister of mine is getting married this Fall. Last Christmas, she called me to say that she was engaged and how excited she was. She quickly talked about wedding plans and that she would keep me posted. We aren’t the best of friends, we’ve had our share of drama but we still get along, although we are not super close.
Anyway, our mutual friend called me up and told me that she received their Save the Date…but that was a month ago!
Should I ask my friend if I’m invited to her wedding? This seems rude and awkward, just in case she’s changed her mind or something.
What should I do?!
From,
Left out in Los Angeles
Dear Left out,
The rule of thumb is to not confront someone on such a sensitive topic. Asking whether or not you are invited can be a little uncomfortable and seem immature.
However, since your friend did already discuss her wedding plan with you I think it is fair to contact her and bring it up. She will most likely ask you flat-out if you received your Save the Date.
If all else fails, ask your mutual friend to fish around for details. With scenarios like this there isn’t one great solution. Just follow your instincts and keep being nice. If she has a limited guest list, don’t take it personal,her guest list might be influenced by her parents or her future in-laws.
Hope all turns out well.
XOXO,
Grace
Just for fun: Check out Lazy Susan’s response but we warn you, don’t actually take her advice!
Today, Social Grace answered a question from a girl who hadn’t received an STD (Save the Date) card from her friend despite being told about the engagement by the bride herself. While her answer was full of tact and sensitivity, Lazy Susan insisted on weighing in too. So, with much reluctance, we bring you Lazy Susan’s response:
Stop hoping and wishing. If you didn’t get a STD, then you’re not getting one. Instead of crying about it, get revenge. Here’s a few ways you can do it:
1. Call her out in a public arena, like facebook. After all her friends see what she did, she’ll be publicly humiliated. You could actually do it in a public place, but you’ll only have the satisfaction of a few moments. Facebook is forever.
2. Ask your girlfriend what date the bride-to-be is having her wedding and throw an even more awesome party. The more awesome it is, the more friends you’ll be able to attract away from her event.
3. Crash her bridal registry. Scour the internet and find her bridal registry (Macy’s, Target, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel are all good places to start) Then get out your credit card and buy as many things as you can. Instead of having it shipped to their place, ship it to your address. Then return the items to the store, but don’t update the registry. Boy, will she be disappointed when all the gifts she thought she was getting don’t make it to her doorstep.
EDITOR’S NOTE:Lazy Susan’s advice is purely for entertainment value. NEVER actually take her advice. For your best bet, see what Social Gracehas to say!
Today in wedding history one of fashion’s leading ladies was born. Westwood showed true signs of genius even before ever working in the fashion industry.
The small town girl grew up and worked as an Elementary School teacher and sold her own jewelry on the street. When she married Derek Westwood, she even designed her own wedding dress.
Though her marriage didn’t last her passion for creativity did. She grew increasingly fascinated with punk rock fashion.
After years of designing high-end clothing she was recognized by the film Sex in the City after one of her wedding dresses was featured in the movie, worn by Sarah Jessica Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw.
Currently, Westwood resides in England with her husband Andreas Kronthaler and still designs cutting edge fashion.
Today, Russell Crowe and Danielle Spencer may be exchanging sweaters or perhaps new plumbing to celebrate their 7thwedding anniversary (significant for wool and copper).
Fiction became reality for these down under actors who met twenty years ago playing lovers in the film “The Crossing.” Dating on and off for years, Crowe proposed to Spencer at Darcy’s restaurant in Sydney on November 26, 2002, presenting her with a Cartier engagement ring worth more than $100,000.
But even more special than the ring to us romantics, was Crowe’s posting on his website about Spencer: “I feel a great need to wake up with her as many days of my life as I can.”
The couple has two young sons and by all reports, seem to be happier than ever. So, a big congrats to this cool couple. (And best wishes for a Happy 47th Birthday to Mr. Beautiful Mind himself!)
Today in wedding history, John Glenn married his childhood sweetheart Anna Margaret Castor.
The two met when they were just toddlers and throughout their upbringing went together during school dances and events. John has said, “she was part of my life from the time of my first memory.” They played together and were even both members of the school band.
After they both attended Muskingum College in Ohio, John & Annie married in 1943 at the College Drive Presbyterian Church in New Concord. She still wears the diamond engagement ring that he gave her in 1942. The man in love has been quoted as saying, “I don’t remember the first time I told Annie I loved her, or the first time she told me. It was just something we both knew.”
Later on John made headlines as the first American to orbit the Earth. He went on to become an Ohio Senator, serving from 1974-1999. Annie, a supportive wife, and mother of their two children, went on to dedicate much of her time towards charities.
Last week, Evelyn & Omar won our weekly contest. Will they win again? You decide!
Read the stories and vote below. Remember, you can vote once a day, so make sure you come back tomorrow to vote for your favorite couple!
1. Evelyn Protano & Omar Abdelhamid
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Date: February 13, 2010
Evelyn & Omar
Evelyn writes: Omar and I got engaged the night before Valentine’s Day. For this story to make sense, you need to know that Omar and I have a thing with penguins, which started when he bought me a giant stuffed penguin when I was having a rough time at work. It’s been a running joke ever since.
Anyway, Omar said he didn’t want to wait to exchange gifts on Valentine’s Day, and suggested that we exchange gifts right then. Omar gave me three bags, one small, one medium, and one large. I opened the small bag, and it contained a set of penguin nesting dolls! In the middle of the first set of nesting dolls was a note that said, open bag number 2.
In the second bag, was another set of penguin nesting dolls! At the middle of this set, was a note that said open bag number 3. I opened the third and largest bag, and it contained two giant penguin nesting dolls! Inside the second nesting doll, was a black box with a beautiful ring. He proposed, and I said yes.
2. Sara Jacobson & Sean McMullen
Location: New York, NY
Date: November 20, 2009
Sara & Sean
Sara writes:
I’m Sara Jacobson and I’m marrying Sean McMullen after a brief 21-year crush!
It started in 1989. I was attending middle school in West Hartford, CT where I became friends with a set of fraternal twins, Lauren & Erin. They invited me to their house one day and as soon as I walked into the living room, there he was sitting on the couch.
That was the beginning of my crush. Sean was much older than me, and never paid me any attention. What with him being in 10th grade while I was a lowly 7th grader, dating me would have been social suicide!
For years I would invite myself to Lauren and Erin’s for sleepovers, just to catch a glimpse of Sean. I would say in my most cheerful and flirty voice “Hi, Sean!” and he would act as if I wasn’t even in the room.
Years passed, and life took us down distant paths. But one fateful night, Thanksgiving time in 2008, I walked into a hometown bar and there, like an angel, was my “Seansy.”
I ran over to him and asked if he remembered me. He didn’t, but acted as if he did. Immediately we began a long-distance romance. He was in Boston, I was now in Miami…but thanks to facebook and text messaging we hardly went a day without contact.
In 2009, my company offered me a transfer to the NYC location. I wasn’t sure what this meant for Sean and me….but I knew I needed to be in the northeast. So I accepted the offer, and immediately Sean and I actively started dating. We spent weekends traveling back and forth from Boston to NYC. Sean, being a commercial lobsterman, spoiled me with boat rides and fresh lobster all the time.
On November 20th, Sean took me to my favorite park in NYC, Carl Schurz Park. We sat on a bench and watched the boats go by on the east river. He began acting weird and I got nervous. Then suddenly, he was down on one knee, asking me to spend the rest of my life with him. He presented me with the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. By January, he had quit his career, and moved to NYC, to begin our lives together.
Our wedding is going to take place on August 21, 2010 in Rhode Island. We couldn’t be happier.
3. Olivia & Kevin Masui
Location: Seal Beach, CA
Date: September 9, 2007
Olivia & Kevin
Olvia writes: One Friday night, my boyfriend Kevin told me we were going to go to Las Brisas in Laguna Beach for lunch the next day and I knew something was up. You see, Las Brisas is the very first cafe Kevin and I ever went to and it’s totally romantic.
When Kevin suggested that we go to Las Brisas, I thought, “He thinks he’s so smooth! He’s going to propose to me and thinks I haven’t a clue!”
The next day, the restaurant was really crowded and Kevin said, “Oh, this is stupid. Let’s go to the beach.”
I innocently said, “Sure, that sounds fun,” as if I suspected nothing.
But the beach was super-crowded as well and Kevin said, “Hey let’s leave. There are too many people here.”
I tried to hide my disappointment as we left. After a few minutes in the car, I began crying. Kevin asked, “What’s wrong?”
I didn’t want to tell him, but finally I admitted that I thought he was going to propose. Sure enough, he started laughing at me.
“In time,” he said. “It will come in time.”
After dinner at his mom’s house that night, he said, “Let’s go to Seal Beach. It’s nearby and it’s really nice.”
I tried not to get my hopes up again. When we got there, it was dark and no one was around. I walked down to the water and he followed me.
We stood looking up at the stars. After a few minutes of standing there in silence, I figured that nothing was going to happen. I accepted the fact that this just wasn’t the right time and was a little sad.
Kevin said, “Liv, you really mean a lot to me.”
I looked at him and said, “You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me, Kev.”
He said, “Okay, here it goes…”
At that moment, Kevin dropped down to one knee in front of me. Holding out something in the darkness, he said “Will you marry me?”
I couldn’t tell if he was joking with me or not. I couldn’t see what was in his hand since it was so dark. I asked, “Are you being serious?”
Kevin started laughing and replied, “Yes! Will you be my wife?! Why do you think I’m down here with a ring?!”
I hesitated a moment, and then after I had realized that he wasn’t kidding, I dropped to my knees as well and began to cry.
“Kev, I would love to marry you!”
He slid the ring onto my finger. I could see its shimmer beneath the faint light of the night sky. It was beautiful.
Now that you’ve read the stories, it’s time to vote for your favorite! You can vote once a day until Friday at 12:05am. Results will be posted on Friday morning!
Today in wedding history Indian princess Pocahontas married Jamestown settler John Rolfe.
The colonial, originally from England, fell in love with her while she was staying with a Virginia Indian tribe. After they married, they lived on John’s plantation for two years before moving to England.
Though little is known about their wedding and marriage. Historians have said that their union created peace between the Powhatan tribe and the English settlers.
Superstars, Jay-Z and Beyonce have managed to keep their relationship on the down-low better than any other couple who live their lives in the spotlight.
It comes as no surprise that their New York wedding was a private ceremony with just 30 of their friends and family in attendance. Although, the color white is usually reserved for the bride on her big day, all the guests were asked to wear white to the reception. Perhaps this was to throw off paparazzi who might try to hound the woman in white.
The music powerhouse has been dating since 2002 and have kept their matters private, refusing to comment on their relationship. In fact, they didn’t even confirm their marriage until Beyonce’s sister Solange referred to Jay-Z as her brother-in-law months after their wedding.
At the 2010 Grammy Awards, Beyonce surprised everyone (including her husband), by acknowledging him in her acceptance speech.
“I would love to thank my family for their support, including my husband. I love you,” she said.
The telecast then cut to Jay-Z whose jaw dropped open at the mention of his name.
Despite this public display of affection, we’re guessing that today the couple will be celebrating their second anniversary privately!
