Franz and I met in February 2007 online - we were both decidedly adamant about meeting a quality person or no one at all. I have to say I was trying to scare off guys with my profile, but Franz took a chance anyway - Thank God!
After several emails and phone calls, we quickly found out we lived very close to each other and even that our kids shared a class at school! Zach and Christina were a little mortified to find out that their parents were considering dating. We finally had a first date - it was pouring rain and we met for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. He was such a gentleman coming to my door with his umbrella. We were both somewhat speechless with the great chemistry we felt immediately and we made plans to meet again.
It didn't take long for us to be completely head over heels, crazy-in-love, despite all of our intentions to take our time and be careful. I certainly recognized the absolute jewel of a man I met, and he melts my heart every day with what an amazing person he is.
We introduced the kids at a dinner for Zach's 16th birthday - it was like a family reunion, with everyone getting along so well. Franz has 3 daughters: Christina 16, Diane 14 and Samantha 8. I have Zach 16 and Madison 11.
We had a lot of adventures, starting with my furnace breaking at Easter for 5 days during a cold snap, when we moved in to the Foster house for a few days- we really found out how everyone got along - great!
I really knew that he was the man for me when I came down with the flu. He brought me kleenex, made me rest, and then came back from church and told me that he decided he couldn't live without me (even when I looked like that!) - he would ask me properly, but declared his intentions, and I of course said yes!
In May, my parents came to visit (I'll admit, I begged them to come to meet Franz and his girls). Franz asked my parents for permission (so old-fashioned and proper!) and Dad was so okay with it, he actually was telling people I was Franz's fiance before the official question was asked (I didn't know your dad could speak french!)
We scheduled a vacation so we could visit Siesta Key Florida and meet Franz's mom June. It was so nice to see the house where he grew up and his mother is wonderful. Our first night he showed me the beautiful beach and got down on his knee to ask me to be his wife! YES!!! Such a beautiful ring he chose, and it was the most beautiful sunset ever. His mom and the kids were very excited and our trip was wonderful.
So planning a wedding begins - and the plans take on a life of their own. We decided on a very small wedding, with just immediate family and children. Still, small takes just as much planning, and along with working full time and kids summer schedules, it kept us very busy.
We planned our wedding for Friday October 5th at 6pm at Colonel Beatty Park in Matthews North Carolina - a local park with a beautiful arbor and hall on the lake.
The girls shopped for a dress for me and for them - we were all so excited! My girlfriend Tanya was also planning her wedding in August, so the two of us were little girls constantly on the phone sharing details. She was an incredible help to me and I was so happy to be able to help her a little too. Her wedding to Alan was so sweet.
So the big event arrives much faster than you anticipate. Lots of details get addressed and then others lost in the rush. I really wanted to send out an announcement, but best intentions don't always play out - sorry!
So our big day/week arrived, with family flying in, many last minute errands to do, meals to serve, rehearsals, flowers, clothes to press . . . you get the idea.
Suddenly it seemed, I was in my dress, flowers in hand, pictures being snapped (or being "made" as they say here in the south). Such a beautiful golden day, with leaves just beginning to turn, water reflecting an impossibly Carolina blue sky, and my handsome fiance and family waiting for me to walk up the aisle. It is a golden moment set in forever, with smiles, laughter and tears, the smell of roses and fall leaves, and love embracing all.
The celebration continued with dinner, a most wonderful cake, a talented guitar player, and much dancing. It really was everything I planned and dreamed and I am still on cloud nine!
I can't wait for our pictures to arrive to share with you! With so many family members coming in from out of town, we stayed on Saturday to visit, barbeque, and open gifts. We even got a chance to go to Christina's marching band competition together - East Meck came in 2nd - good job Christina! On Sunday, we all went to church (1st time as husband and wife for us!!!) and we all came home to cook a whopping breakfast for the crew (great eggs Laura!)
Then the rose-petal send-off to Savannah! What an amazing honeymoon we had! Savannah and Charleston have such beauty and history, and of course lots of romance. We enjoyed spending such sweet time together.
I can truly say that as great as the honeymoon was, it is better to be home and we are now in the process of combining households - another job in itself. Lots of tasks to get to and get through, but all of them more enjoyable with a great husband!
So we can't wait to show you all the special wedding photos and maybe even a few from our honeymoon, which hopefully be able to be added soon.
Thank you for all your love and support through it all.
Love, Denise and Franz Foster
Thank You!
I had hoped to have had this information put together and the blog posting sent out to announce our engagement and then to post details of the wedding planning - that was wishful thinking considering the sheer difficulty level of 5 kids, full-time work, and planning a wedding. To all of our family that we didn't get a chance to communicate to about our wedding plans - thank you for your understanding and I hope you enjoy our photos.
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