Planning for Poland begins

I just got off the phone with my Mom. How the woman is able to push my buttons from 4000+ miles away I don't know! Maybe it has something to do with the fact she installed most of them...

For those that don't know, I'm from Poland. I came here with my folks back in the mid-1980's when I was six years old. My parents retired and moved back to Poland in 2005. Sure, being an only child with no family in this hemisphere is tough, but not as tough as planning a wedding on two continents!

Mom had found a possible candidate for a reception location near their neighborhood in the south of Warsaw. "Pub Kreska" looks nice in the pictures and I'm told that it had a very pleasant atmosphere in person. Problem is, it's a bit small. Even though the website says it can accommodate 35 people, I think that may be a stretch. Also, since we're planning to have the reception in January, using their patio/courtyard is probably not going to happen.

Besides, I think it would be much more fun if we could have some sort of historic location closer to Warsaw's center for the reception. Maybe some palace or historic row-house...

--Tom

The Story of How We Met (part 2)

Before you read this, read "Part 1" first!

On October 31, 2003, Veronica and I had plans to attend a University of Minnesota Bulldogs hockey game. Another boy had cancelled on us at the last minute, and we found ourselves with an extra ticket for the game. Quickly, we started to page through our cell phones looking for the right person to fill that empty seat. I was in a bit of a fowl mood since my date backed out on me. Dozens of names scrolled by on my phone, but there was simply no one that I wanted to spend the evening with… until Tom’s name popped up. Vee and I looked at each other and said “Hot Tom?” in unison! (“Hot Tom” was a nick-name we had coined early on.)

Since it was Halloween, Tom had plans for the night, those were quickly dropped when he got the chance to see me again joined me at the hockey game. (note from Tom: Very true - those plans were *quickly* dropped!) Tom dressed as “’70’s guy” and I dressed as a princess. Neither of us even pretended to be into the game.

The evening flew by quickly as Tom and I chatted and flirted that night away. After the game we went to The Green Mill for a bite. The restaurant is in Duluth’s touristy Canal Park district, which is packed with restaurants and clubs, which also means that’s where everyone hangs out. I swear, half of Tom’s friends “just so happened” to walk by the restaurant window, saw Tom, and came in to visit. I felt like the prize lamb at the state fair getting paraded by all the spectators! It was great!

Tom drove me home that night and took his time as he walked me to the door. I thanked him for a wonderful evening. Surprising me with his shyness, Tom hesitated for a moment at the door, then he nerously looked around to make sure we were alone and dipped in for a quick kiss. The first of many!

The Story of How We Met (part 1)

Tom and I made first contact on Match.com in late August of 2003. Just like most profiles on the site, we both said that we weren’t looking for anything serious, just out there because, “…it never hurts to meet new people!”

After exchanging e-mails, we soon graduated to phone calls and texts and long nights on Yahoo! messenger, discussing the latest episodes of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” (remember, this is 2003!) Tom would always make me laugh with his “Queer Eye” lisp!

We decided to get together on Tuesday, October 28, 2009. The Miller Hill Mall Barnes & Noble was agreed upon as a safe place with lots of people. (note from Tom: I always liked bringing dates to B&N because if the conversation went flat, there was always plenty of topics within arms’ reach. Also, I tried to get there early and build a pile of serious-looking literature on a table in the café to make me look smart.)

Despite the fact we had seen pictures of each other; we discussed how we would recognize each other. Because of this wonderful metro guy voice with a lisp, and our mutual enjoyment of Queer Eye, I jokingly suggested he wear purple.

I brought my friend Veronica (Vee for short) for support (just in case). Vee and I watched as Tom walked in the door and down the main isle, wearing his purple shirt. We hid behind the shelf to spy on him just to make sure he was who he said he was. I

recall looking at Veronica all giggley and saying “Ohmigosh! Ohmigosh! Ohmigosh! Leave! Leave!”

Tom and I met over coffee at the café in the store. We made small talk for a bit, and I soon found myself accepting Tom’s invitation to lunch. This is when I had to come clean about my support team (Veronica) waiting in the wings. Tom laughed, admitted to this being a smart plan, and said to have Vee meet us at Applebee’s.

After lunch, Tom, Vee, and I walked around the mall for a few hours, Tom and I arm in arm the whole time. Who knew that I could be this comfortable with someone that I’ve only known in person for barely two hours!

At the time, Vee and I both worked at the mall. So we simply had to visit friends and co-workers to show off my new arm candy! The afternoon came to an end all too quickly and we parted ways without making future plans...

--Laura

(stay tuned for Part 2 coming soon)