Names: Michelle Alexander & Terésa Dowell-Vest
Ages: Michelle, 39; Terésa, 41
Professions: Michelle is a Writer and Activist, and Terésa is a Writer, Filmmaker, and Professor
City, State: Washington, D.C.
Date of Wedding: October 4, 2014
The Big Day: We want a wedding that is a mix between traditional, fun, and romantic. We are in the beginning stages of planning our big day. As two A-type personalities, we love the stress of the moment and planning it in six months or less, is our goal. But as two creative people, we plan on having the wedding that represents our personalities, passion, and energy.
The Firsts:
First meeting: Michelle and Teresa met as most people do today, on Facebook. So many times they were in the same place, connecting with the same people and yet, never actually met. There are even pictures taken by mutual friends as evidence of just passing each other, like two ships in the night. They watched one another for a while, and then the mutual silent Facebook stalking eventually paid off, but only after Michelle moved from Atlanta to Washington, D.C. The rest, was love at first real sight.
First date: Like most couples that connect and meet online, that first meeting is filled with anticipation, insecurities, hot flashes, nervousness and just plain ole sweaty palms. Michelle and Teresa’s meeting was not different. On what was supposed to be a business trip to Atlanta for Michelle, her and Teresa were actually able to take their online romance and experience the real life sparks that flew from the moment they saw each other for the first time. The night flourished among soft light, oysters on the half shell, honey whiskey, strawberries, chocolate and discussions of Bell Hooks’ “All About Love”.
First kiss: Filled with honey whiskey fragrant lips. Life Altering. This was it.
When They Knew: Terésa knew two weeks later when her 4-year-old nephew, Loren, needed emergency brain surgery. They awoke to phone calls and text messages from her family to meet them at the hospital. Michelle jumped out of bed, packed lunches and snacks for the entire family in 15 minutes flat. Throughout the long day, no one needed to visit the vending machines or the cafeteria, and no one needed to leave Loren because of Michelle’s quick thinking and care. She became a member of Terésa’s family that week. Michelle knew instantly, but just needed Terésa to catch up. She’s glad it only it took two weeks!
The Proposal: Because Teresa is a filmmaker, the proposal was suppose to be an elaborate, romantic, cinematic plan that was canceled because it was scheduled at the same time her nephew had his surgery. Terésa decided to cancel it because her plan included all of their friends and family and given the rough time the family was having, no one was in the mood to do anything big and showy. Instead, Terésa called on a few friends to help her propose to Michelle in the middle of a mood lit night in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park.
They had spent the day at the hospital with Loren and the family. Michelle had to host her biweekly radio show, so she found a quiet spot in the hospital and conducted an interview on friendship with four of her best friends, all of whom knew that Terésa decided to propose that night and in a more simple and intimate way. At the end of the show, Terésa called into the show and asked Michelle out on a date for a walk in an Atlanta park. Michelle said yes. By the moonlight and the candle light of close friends, Terésa proposed and Michelle said “Absolutely!”
The Ring(s): Knowing Michelle loves green and purple and isn’t a fan of diamonds, Terésa gave Michelle a band with three mystic fire topaz stones and two small diamonds in the knots that ties over the stones.
Honeymoon: The couple is planning a back packing and writing tour through Europe.
Looking into the Future: Living, loving, and lots of writing.
