Can you believe it??? After a "whirlwind" romance of over nine years (that's a story for another day), we are FINALLY getting married!

You may ask, "What are the chances of this happening?" A younger gal from a NYC 'burb and an older guy from an ATL 'burb . . . UNLIKELY!!!

An avid University of Michigan Wolverine in love with a University of Georgia Bulldog . . . HIGHLY UNLIKELY!

And the most unlikely, a fortuitous, bashert (destiny in Yiddish) encounter on July 5, 2015 on an Atlanta Outdoor Club hike at Gold Branch, Chattahoochee National Recreation Area.

ALL UNLIKELY, BUT VERY TRUE!!!

In fact, our appreciation for the outdoors and hiking continues to this day as two of our most treasured, common interests.

After our July serendipitous meeting, we often hiked together as friends, driving separately to the hiking sites. While driving to the first such hike, Regina encountered a massive snapping turtle blocking the approach road to Jones Bridge, Chattahoochee National Recreation Area. She texted Tracy so he would avoid hitting the turtle. When he arrived on the scene, he found a long tree branch which, to the turtle's displeasure, he used to "escort" it to safety.

At the end of the hike, Regina regaled Tracy in the parking lot with flutes of champagne to celebrate the first day of his retirement. His long, multi-faceted career, Naval and legal (the legal profession shared by Regina), deserved to be acknowledged.

One month later, we drove TOGETHER to our first date: dinner at The Porter Beer Bar and a provocative play at a theatre in Little Five Points. The Porter is a dive bar (Regina's suggestion) with over 50 beers on tap and food a notch or two above standard pub fare. Regina suggested splitting Mussels Cooked in Beer. Tracy had never tasted mussels before, but, needless to say, had consumed beer before, probably just one or two, on rare occasions :-). His willingness to try something new made a lasting impression and, to this day, we enjoy home cooking and dining out, experiencing traditional, modern, and international cuisines. Every year on the anniversary of our first date we celebrate by eating mussels at The Porter.

At that time, Tracy was a Stout/Porter guy, but has since evolved into an IPA convert (Regina's choice and less caloric). We share a delight in exploring different breweries, particularly those in Asheville, NC.

On that first date, at the theatre, we also realized a mutual admiration for the fine and performing arts. Since then, we have attended numerous plays, dramas and musicals, operas, ballets, jazz soirees and orchestral concerts. One of our favs is the Shakespeare Tavern, a venue that evokes our enjoyment of live acting and the Bard's literature. And, one of our most-liked spring/summer activities is picnicking at local parks which host live classical rock band performances.

We also appreciate the fine arts. We took in The Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Natural History during our visit to NYC.

We were engaged nine years later. In the years in between, we have delighted in wonderful experiences together, traveling within and outside the United States. High on our list is our favorite winter getaway, Coral Bay on St. John, USVI, where we have hiked in the gorgeous national park and have snorkeled frequently. Now, our travel is restricted because of our fragile, 17-year old Cairn terrier. This situation has been more difficult for Tracy whose Navy DNA screams "TRAVEL!"

Five years ago, Tracy sold his lovely Lawrenceville home and moved to Dunwoody so we could be geographically closer. He downsized to a master-on-the-main and three bedrooms upstairs: a guest room; his reading/nap room; and, an exercise room which he uses almost daily. It contains a recumbent bike, stair-master and treadmill. (Regina claims she is allergic to the exercise room).

Regina moved into Tracy's home in February 2023, selling her home 1.1 miles away. Regina coordinates her flute practicing on the main floor while Tracy works out upstairs so that he cannot hear her practicing. Regina feels very much at home in the house, which was renovated to accommodate her cooking and storage needs.

We have a large yard and together tackle the ups and downs of gardening. Ironically, we chose lilies of the valley, Regina's beloved flower, to be printed on our wedding stationery and to be in her wedding bouquet, despite our many futile attempts to grow them in our garden.

We are fortunate to each have two wonderful, adult children: Tracy -- lovely Courtney and Megan, Mom of his loving grandchildren, Madison, Michael and Myles; Regina - - lovely Tamara and Trevor.

These FAB FOUR will witness our Ketubah signing and will be a part of our wedding ceremony.

Not a day has gone by since our meeting nine years ago that we don't thank our lucky stars for their fortuitous alignment on that day.

We are extremely close; and on so many levels, we meet and exceed each other's needs and desires. Our life together is a mutual experience of sharing, emotional intimacy, communication and openness . . . and the list goes on and on.

We cherish each other and are so appreciative that you will share our special day.

All our Love,

Regina and Tracy

Her words are bonds, his oaths are oracles; her love sincere, his thoughts immaculate; her tears pure messengers sent from her heart; his heart as far from fraud, as heaven from earth.

- - WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Two Gentlemen from Verona

R&T