Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Happy FOURTEENTH Anniversary

In every marriage more than a week old, there are grounds for divorce. The trick is to find, and continue to find, grounds for marriage. ~Robert Anderson, Solitaire & Double Solitaire

In my last post, I said it was my thirteenth anniversary. DH disabused me of this fact -- it is our FOURTEENTH. Guess they're already starting to blend together? Time flies? I am mathematically challenged? Whatever the case, he is right and it's fourteen years of marriage we've enjoyed.

I was nearly thirty when we were married (he was twenty-five ... yes, I robbed the cradle ::rawr::), my dad had passed away years before and we were financing our own wedding. I was already working full time, but took a second job waiting tables nights and weekends to pay for everything. Still, it was a modest wedding. DH stayed out of the planning, but did say he wanted to be able to wear Wranglers during the ceremony.

Okay ... I could work with that.

I bought a tea-length, western wedding dress. My mom added the bustle/train to it. The most expensive part of my wedding outfit was the boots -- and I only wore them once! I tried to wear them again after I'd had my DD, but my feet had gotten larger and they didn't fit.

I remember the morning of my wedding, I (and my attendants) stopped by a local convenience store to pick up ice. I had a caterer, but had to provide the drinks, so needed bags of ice. While we were paying, the cashier said, "Summer picnic?" I said, "Nope, wedding. Mine. I'm getting married in less than an hour." The jaw-dropping surprise made me wish for a camera.

I did my own hair. No limo was involved. The reception was in the church hall. But, hey, it worked. And sometimes I think folks put more effort into their wedding than they do their marriage.

So ... pictures. Please remember that not only do I not have a scanner, but my real camera is broken, so these are pictures of pictures I too using my cell phone.

Me, getting ready. I'm holding my teal garter and, no that isn't a real smile, lol.



Putting on my boots:



My mom walked me down the aisle and gave me away:



Here's our cake:



It had the cutest topper:



And our wedding party (and quite possibly the only photo that will be posted of my DH online ever):



If you want to read a fictional account of our meeting, I wrote up a story that loosely follows it here (click the cover):



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Now ... on to the drama about DD's sinking swim fin.

We went to The Sports Authority and told them the story. The girl helping us disappeared for a bit, then returned and indicated that they would be unable to issue a return, a store credit or anything else. That items needed to be returned in the condition they were purchased. I told her that if I was able to return them in the condition purchased, I wouldn't BE returning them.

I asked for the number of her district manager. She advised me that she'd already called him and he backed the decision. She wouldn't give me his number, but would give him ours. I gave my DH's number. She also said they recommended I contact the manufacturer.

I didn't even get a "We're sorry this happened."

When the district manager called, he basically said that because so many people lie and defraud the company about returns, they have a strict policy. Period. No exceptions. He also suggested we contact the manufacturer. The fact is, though, they could have refunded us the money (or given us a store credit) and then contacted the manufacturer themselves. These were $25 fins ... it wasn't as though I was asking for hundreds of dollars in a refund.

The Sports Authority gets a BIG "FAIL" in my book. And in Manchester where I shop, there is a Modell's Sports right next door to TSA. Guess who will get my business from now on?

We emailed the manufacturer. The fins we bought were Gnarly Swin Fins from Fluid Water Sports (part of C Walters Intercoastal Corporation ).

In a matter of a couple of hours we had a response. Not only would they refund our money (I simply have to fax a copy of the receipt), but they apologized for what happened, indicated that those fins ARE supposed to float. She said they would test a pair to make certain they floated and would send a pair to DD in her size. This ON TOP of refunding the money. This was so far above and beyond what we expected, I was floored. After the incredibly poor service we received from The Sports Authority, I wasn't certain we'd receive any better from the manufacturer.

Here's the thing: Fluid Water Sports has built SUCH good will with us at this point that, when DD buys her mask and snorkel that she's saving for ... guess who we'll use? Their gear is nice, their prices very reasonable and their service is absolutely amazing.

So, although I'm disgusted at TSA, my confidence and faith was restored by the outstanding care we received from Fluid Water Sports. Kudos to them.

========================




You Are a Snake



You have extraordinarily sharp senses.

You sense what's going on almost before it happens.

You connect with the world. People instantly feel close to you.

You are a natural protector. You take good care of your friends.

You are an ambitious person. Your ambitious drives you.

But while you are ambitious, you are also humble. You are thankful for everything you have.



Mostly right...

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9 comments:

MJFredrick said...

Happy anniversary!!!! Cute pictures! We had a very simple wedding, too. My step-grandmother did the food, I made the bridesmaid dresses, church hall, no limo, very much the same.

And AWESOME that the manufacturer is being so gracious! Good lesson for DD, no?

Dru said...

Happy 14th Anniversary to you and DH!!

I love your wedding attire, especially the boots.

I'm so glad things worked out with the manufacturer. SA could have taken the lead on them.

You Are a Turtle

You are wise, grounded, and focused.

You also have an extreme energy... an energy rare for someone so serious.

You respect the earth and truly love nature.

You wish that everyone was able to live in harmony.

The only thing you have to remember in life is to slow down and pace yourself.

You can get wound up easily over things that really don't matter much.


It's about 90% accurate.

Have a good Tuesday.

MomJane said...

I am so glad that DD is going to get her money back, and... her swim fins.

Happy Anniversary to my DD

Mary Curry said...

Good morning, Marianne. I love the wedding photos. Your ensemble is beautiful - especially love the boots.

I had to laugh at your husband's correction. My DH is always saying he's the romantic one because I never have the right year. I tell him no, I'm just bad at the math. Our wedding was in 1984 so that makes it coming on 27 years if my math is right. Ours was simple like yours. I found a vintage lace blouse in a clothing store in Greenwich Village and made a white linen skirt to go with it. I only had one attendant, my BIL married us at his church and we held the reception in the rectory. The most memorable thing about it was the fire alarm that went off in the hotel my family was staying in. Everyone was half-dressed in preparation for the wedding when the alarms started. Chaos ensued. :) But it was a false alarm.

Excellent news about the response from Fluid Water Sports and SHAME on TSA.

I got snake too. Mostly accurate.

Off to help my DD shop for a new phone. The one she has now randomly calls people and leaves 5 minute messages of noise from wherever she happens to be. Hmmmm wouldn't that make an interesting plot starter.

Maria Zannini said...

You were sooooooooo cute in your wedding dress. And I love the boots.

Ref: swim fins
Yay for the manufacturer. Thank goodness some companies still have good business sense.

Boo, Hiss to The Sports Authority. TSA-Fail

Brandy said...

Your dress was very pretty, but I absolutely love the boots! Happy Anniversary!

Very glad to hear the manufacturer was so accommodating! The Sports Authority should have been a better company and refunded your daughters money. I'll rethink ever buying anything from them, too, on y'alls behalf.

I hope you have a glorious day!

anno said...

Beautiful pictures... I loved your dress! Happy anniversary!

(and p.s., yes, it's good to hear that someone somewhere still tries to make things right for paying customers. Hope that makes for an easier minds and an unencumbered celebration.)

Tori Lennox said...

So, it's been 14 years but only feels like 13! Save! :) Love your wedding dress!!!

Boo, hiss to Sports Authority!!! Major kudos to the manufacturer!!!

Ceri Hebert said...

Love the dress and boots! That's the way to do it. People who spend thousands and thousands of dollars on their wedding drive me nuts. I'd rather put that money toward a house or something. But then again, I've been married twice. First time was a church wedding, a limo, a reception, but it wasn't wildly expensive. That marriage lasted 4 years. The second time around my husband and I went to a justice of the peace and got married in a quiet ceremony. We're going on 15 years. And, I robbed the cradle too. Jim is 7 years younger.

Glad your DD found satisfaction with the manufacturer. They sound like a great company to do business with. TSA not so much.