We all know love is comprised of things like patience, kindness, attraction, and understanding toward the other. In addition, more important factors must be in place: commitment and resilience. Just about any couple can work out for at least a brief period of time. Only the most loving couples are able to make it through years of trials and tribulations together. I shot some amazing Erie PA wedding photography for an incredible couple with an awesome tale of really sticking together; and for longer than your average just-married couple, to say the least. Here is the story of Nicole and Jerome’s love and marriage.
About the Couple
A very young Nicole Thompson and Jerome Ford met in high school. They met through Jerome’s sister, who was Nicole’s best friend. Nicole was a frequent guest at the Ford home, so the attraction really started there. Early in the relationship, Nicole knew Jerome was a different kind of man– genuine, caring, and loving. Jerome made Nicole feel special and important, and he always let her know how beautiful she was. A few years after they started dating, they moved in together. Now fast forward a bit… twenty years, to be exact! That’s right– through loving devotion and commitment, Jerome and Nicole have been together a full twenty-three years. How is that for really knowing your partner!? The bond of trust that has grown strong over such a period of time spells it out obviously: Nicole and Jerome were meant for one another. Their love will last forever.
The Proposal
Jerome surprised Nicole by proposing this past January on her birthday. They were out for dinner at Pineapple Eddie Southern Bistro with a special “treat” in store for the birthday girl for dessert. You see, earlier that day, Nicole thought Jerome was acting strange, recalling he needed to leave to “do something”. She had no idea what was coming up that evening!
She even at the restaurant the waiter was acting nervous throughout the meal, yet she had not yet figured out why. When the end of the evening approached, the owner and wait staff brought out the dessert while singing the “Happy Birthday” song. To her complete shock, Nicole saw the ring, somehow dangling above the cake attached to a string and stick. This moment was all too surreal; after so many years, Jerome was proposing! But in all silliness, Nicole asked Jerome in that moment if he was even going to sing “Happy Birthday” to her. “No!” he responded, “I’m trying to ask if you want to be my wife!” They shared a laugh, a kiss, and Nicole shared her answer with everyone: a resounding “yes”.
The Ceremony
This beautiful couple had a humble ceremony at the Erie PA County Courthouse.
The Brewerie at Union Station Wedding Reception
Afterward, the party began at The Brewerie at Union Station. This is a hip establishment, rated one of the best restaurants in Erie PA, located right in the heart of Erie PA. The place was decorated by Nicole herself, designing and creating perfect cardboxes and centerpieces. Everyone got to enjoy tasty treats catered by It Takes the Cake and Jack Frost Donuts. To work off some of the beer, cake and donut calories, everyone had a blast dancing to the playlist of DJ Rob Ross.
I got some incredible shots of this wonderful duo throughout the day. With such an impressive length of time spent together, I know Nicole and Jerome are the real deal. They have proven, to me, that love is comprised of so many things; but commitment is one of the most vital. I loved getting to shoot their Brewerie at Union Station wedding photography, and I hope our paths cross again in the future.
For more information about booking me as an Erie PA wedding photographer, contact us here.
To see more Erie, PA wedding photography I have done, check out these other posts:
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