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Tiger & Mary
Our Story
The Meeting
I was working for a weight loss chain as a receptionist and stock person part-time while going to college. It was Thursday May 26, 1989 and I was waiting for one last client to finish before I could close up the center and go home. The counselor that was with the client had told me that her little brother "Tiger" would be coming to pick her up and to let him know she would be ready very shortly. Tiger showed up and, since I had finished everything except locking up, I talked with him to pass the time. I was interested and asked him how old he was. He asked me how old I thought he was. We chatted until his sister Frankie came out with the client. Frankie and Tiger left and I finished with the client, locked up and went home. That Saturday I was working again. During the slow parts of the day I was chatting with the stock person, Angela, who happened to be Frankie's (and Tiger's) niece. She asked if I was going to IrishFest that weekend. When I told her probably, she asked if I wanted to go with her (some friends and her Uncle Tiger). I, of course, said yes.
The First Date
That Sunday, we all went to IrishFest together. About half of the family was there (that is a whole lot of people). They had a cake for the Old Man's birthday (that's what they called their Dad). We went to the carnival and held hands because he didn't want to "lose me in the crowd" (pretty slick!). We went on rides, played games, joked and laughed (it was pretty windy-hence the awful hair in the pic). After IrishFest, we went back to his sister Ina's house. We talked, joked, laughed, and just had a good time. When he dropped me off, he asked if he could call me and my response was that Angela had my number. He called the next day and we talked for hours. There were several of these phone calls during the week.
Let the Dating Begin
The following Saturday (June 4th) he took me to meet his mother. When he took me home he told me "You've met my parents and the rest of my family. So, do you still want to date me?". Obviously, I said yes. Then we shared our first kiss.
"I LOVE YOU"
His little sister graduated from grade school in June and as a special treat to her we took her downtown to Buckingham Fountain (her choice). Once we got there, Tiger pulled me off to the side. We went over by a large statue and he leaned against the base of it-kind of sitting on it. Holding my hands, he pulled me toward him. He looked straight into my eyes and told me "I have to tell you something". At this point I think he just wants to be friends or something. Instead, he tells me, "I'm falling in love with you".
Fireworks
Fourth of July. We went to his sister Ina's and set off fireworks with the family. After a while we decided to go inside. We were sitting on the couch and he turns to me and asks me to marry him. I was completely caught off guard and said "When?". He told me after I was finished with college and I told him yes-I would marry him.
The Wedding
March 16, 1990, just a little more than 9 months after we first met, we were married in a civil ceremony at the Maywood Courthouse. Our parents and other family were there. After the ceremony we all went to Mama Luigi's for dinner. After dinner was over, we decided to relive our *first* date (I mean the first one without the entire family). . We went to Haunted Trails and played video games and had a lot of fun. Before going back to our hotel room we stopped at Lil Cesar's for pizza. While waiting for the pizza, we started chatting with some teenagers that had come in and Tiger told them we were newlyweds. They asked how long we had been married and Tiger looked at his watch and told them "Oh, about 8 hours"-the looks on their faces was priceless! The next day we held our wedding reception. If you want to witness a miracle this was it! Two Irish families, celebrating a wedding, on St. Patrick's day, with an open bar, and no fights! If there was ever any doubt, it disappeared then. It was a sign that our marriage was blessed.
The Second Wedding
March 16, 1991, we renewed our vows in a small ceremony at our church. I wore a simple wedding dress and Tiger wore a tux. My mother and sisters and families were there and my Uncle Bob gave me away. Tiger's mother was there and held AJ during the ceremony. My sister Liz was my maid of honor and Tiger's brother Larry was the best man (just like they were in our original wedding). Father Mark, our parish priest, performed the ceremony.
Our Children
We are proud to have been blessed with two beautiful, intelligent, loving children.
Arthur Michael Smith Jr. (AJ) MaryKate Grace Smith
October 7, 1990 at 11:55 pm September 12, 1999 at 12:25 am
weighing 10 pounds and weighing 8 pounds 2 ounces and
measuring 23 1/2 inches long measuring 22 inches long
