Ya only get married... twice!

We did it! 

The  Wedding Party with our Families

Robb and I tied the knot on December 31, 2011, at a beautiful and personal evening ceremony, officiated by Rev. Michael "Pipe" Sloan. It was about 30 minutes in length, with lots of heart-felt words of wisdom and a few jokes thrown in for good measure. It was perfect, and we expected no less from our gifted friend. Robb's best man was his best friend for 25+ years, Norman Clark. My matron of honor was my cousin and friend for just as long, Mary Collins. 

About 25 friends and family members were witnesses as we exchanged our vows on the stage and set of My Fair Lady at the historic Empire Theatre, which just had its 100th Birthday on Christmas Day. Thank you Phil Whiteway and Bruce Miller for allowing us to use this magnificent space for our most special day. Thanks also to the production team of Theatre IV/Barksdale for making everything look beautiful -- the lights, the stage, the marquee, the lobby, and on and on. Picture perfect.

Anthony, David & Drew

Music before and after the ceremony was provided by my wonderful friends and castmates, Anthony Smith (flute and piano), David Janeski (mandolin and guitar) and Drew Perkins (violin and guitar). The entrance and dismissal songs -- Wexford Carol and Sussex Carol -- were taken from the show we all did together, Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas. I'm so grateful to these guys for their perfect playing.

After the ceremony, we walked across the street to Tarrant's Cafe for an absolutely mouth-watering dinner and champagne toasts.

Following dinner, we headed back to the Empire for a dessert buffet reception with about 85 of our friends and family. Holly Timberline baked up a confectionery storm and several guests also shared some favorite sweet treats (Jennifer Patterson, Gordon Bass, Sara Heifetz, Cat Thomas, the Moms and yours truly). We also had about six dozen cupcakes from Lola's Bakery. Yum!

Robb's mom, Elaine Freim, absolutely transformed the lobby with her beautiful decorations. Throughout the night, I heard directly and indirectly how festive and magical everything looked. Our floral arrangements were created by Designs by Ron, a neighbor of the theatre and a brilliant florist who took what I had described and exceeded my expectations.

The night culminated in a New Year's count- down with the New York City ball drop broad- casting on the flatscreen in the lobby, and Robb and I running through a tunnel of cheers and sparklers to our getaway car. :)

I have to say a HUGE thanks to my parents, Wes and Janette Cole, and my brother, Nate Cole, who traveled from Minnesota not just to attend, but to help set up, take down, bake, run errands, decorate, take video, and offer their moral (and financial!) support during the flurry of activity. I'm so glad they were here to share in the details! I also want to extend heartfelt thanks to our photographer, Greg Garner, who also went above and beyond to photograph the entire night. Most of the photos you see here were taken by him -- as you can see, he is super talented! www.bluegoostudios.com

Donna, Jennings & Phil Whiteway

I cannot write one more word without saying perhaps the biggest thank-you of all to my friend, coworker and best wedding planner ever, JENNINGS WHITEWAY. She worked behind the scenes to make everything run like clockwork, handling and diverting potential catastrophes without breaking a sweat, and more importantly, without me knowing it! She is so gifted at what she does and I can't begin to thank her for helping to make our wedding day truly magical.

Robb and I took a mini-honeymoon for a few days to the Outer Banks, to the beach house in Rodanthe where we got enga- ged. Many thanks to another coworker and friend, Tracy Coogle, and her mom Pat Cully, for generously offering to let us come back to bring the story full circle. We had such a wonderfully relaxing time!

For both Robb and me, this is our second go-round at marriage. But, we both feel certain that the second time is the charm. ♥

Vanishing vapor

Life is crazy isn't it? It really does just fly by. "For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (James 4:14) 

The past several weeks have felt like a vanishing vapor. Robb and I decided that, since we met on New Year's Eve five years ago, what better day to get married than New Year's Eve! Yes, I do mean THIS New Year's Eve, December 31, 2011. Obviously, that has left little time for planning, especially since Robb has been working a lot of overtime and I am working full-time and doing the holiday show at Barksdale Hanover Tavern (Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas). 

Thankfully, we don't have to do it all ourselves. We have the incredible Jennings Whiteway as our wedding planner, who has already alleviated so much stress by taking care of multiple details and making sure we stay on schedule with everything. If you're engaged and need a planner, you need to call her right now! (Seriously, just ask me, I will give you her number!) Also, my great bosses of 6½ years are graciously letting us have the wedding ceremony and reception at the beautiful Empire Theatre, which will celebrate its 100th birthday on Christmas Day. We couldn't ask for a more perfect and special place to exchange our vows and celebrate with our closest friends and family.

I know I really should cherish these fleeting moments leading up to our wedding day. But in some ways, I am glad they are "just a vapor" because I am so looking forward to being married to the greatest man in the world!

10-10

Today is Sunday, October 10th.

We had a 2:00 p.m. matinee of Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming at Hanover Tavern this afternoon, where there also were not one, but two wedding receptions happening. The weather in Richmond, VA today is uncharacteristically warm for fall. The maple leaves are starting to turn orange and gold. There is not a cloud in the sky. It's a perfect day for a beautiful wedding.

Of course, those who know me probably know where I'm going with this. I had a beautiful wedding on an uncharacter-
istically warm fall day in St. Paul, MN on Sunday, October 10th, six years ago. The leaves were at their glorious peak and the cloudless sky was an expanse of bright blue.

It was fun to catch a glimpse of the bridal parties today, donning ear-to-ear grins, the perfect accessory to their formalwear. So much happiness and expectation.

I couldn't help but feel a little pang of sadness.

Because no one gets married thinking they'll get a divorce. I was just like the brides I saw today: happy, excited and full of hope. How it should be.

It's just a shame that sometimes, the hope fades and is replaced with something else. I had no idea on that day six years ago that the years to follow would be far less than ideal. My expectations were dashed quite soon after, and the brilliant blue sky of my wedding day became dark and stormy with no sign of clearing.

Even though getting a divorce was the right, smart, and healthy choice, it still weighed heavily on me. The feeling of failure was overwhelming. I was ashamed to tell my family and friends. I felt guilty about the wedding they had all attended, apparently for nothing.

But someone reminded me that at the time, on that day six years ago, it was a happy occasion. A beautiful day where family and friends could come together, visit, eat good food and celebrate the future with each other. Every good intention was brought forward on that day, and everyone left with a happy heart.

Jamie and I rode from the church to our reception in a white Rolls Royce. Today, on my way home after the show, a white Rolls Royce drove by. Coincidence? Or was it God's little wink to tell me he knows what's on my heart?

No good can come out of regret. If those who end up getting divorced knew on their wedding day that would be the outcome, no one would ever get married. There are all kinds of cliches about life's lessons: "life is a journey," "life is meant to be lived," "in life, you take the good with the bad," etc. However, they are all true. All our experiences -- successes, failures and everything in between -- make us who we are.

I firmly believe that the future is bright -- not just for the newlyweds I saw today, but for all of us. It boils down to a matter of perspective and attitude. Life is too short and too precious to believe otherwise!