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  What People Are Saying About

  Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul . . .

  “This thoughtful and deeply moving selection of stories reminds us that love is the cornerstone of marriage, family and life itself. I smiled, laughed and cried my way through the book.”

  Rosanna McCollough

  editor in chief, www.WeddingChannel.com

  “After a hectic day of wedding planning, reading Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul is the perfect way to unwind and be inspired by incredibly emotional stories of love’s triumph before, during and after the wedding ceremony. These wonderful stories should not be missed by any one who has any part of the wedding planning process, including Mom, Dad, attendants, and especially the bride-and groom-to-be.”

  Debbie Hansen

  director, Bridal Show Producers International

  www.bspishows.com

  “Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul grounds us. It is a moving and gratifying book, full of real-life stories that give us a kind and warm reminder of what love and marriage are all about. This is a perfect book to be shared with anyone involved in a wedding—its message will also touch those with relationships that need reconnecting.”

  Sherra Meyers

  editor, Southern Bride Magazine

  “Being huge fans of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, we were genuinely excited to hear about Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul. To have a loving and fulfilling marriage takes much more than just planning a wedding. This resource of heartwarming and inspirational stories will definitely help couples in the first stages of a long and happy life together!”

  Erik and Beth Kent

  copublishers, NJWedding.com

  “Of all the things brides need—a little laughter and encouragement are what they truly cannot do without. This wonderful book will take you there with stories that will have you holding your sides and wiping away a few stray tears. Let Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul help you make this the start of a lifetime together. . . .”

  Paula Rinehart

  author, Strong Women, Soft Hearts and

  Sex and the Soul of a Woman

  “Well-written and moving, the stories in Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul will help readers reflect on what’s really important in their lives—light-hearted attitudes and a lifetime of loving commitment.”

  William S. Doddridge

  CEO, The Jewelry Exchange

  www.jewelryexchange.com

  “After reading Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul, the first thought that came to my mind was: Thanks for the memories. This book is a warm reminder of how precious life and the relationships we have are, and how they never should be taken for granted. Get together with someone special, light some candles, read Bride’s Soul to each other and just enjoy each other’s company.”

  Steve Dines, “BridalMan”

  www.bridalman.com

  “What an ideal gift for a future bride to turn to while planning her big day! Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul is the perfect remedy for a chaotic time in a woman’s life. These true tales will inspire an emotional bride, remind her to enjoy time with loved ones and cherish her day with the love of her life.”

  Matteo Bossio

  vice president of planning, iweddings.com

  “The Chicken Soup series has done it again—this time for all things wedding! From the proposal to the honeymoon, these heartwarming, funny and enlightening stories will inspire and entertain all readers involved in virtually any aspect of a wedding. You’ll get a kick out of these fantastic stories.”

  Cynthia C. Muchnick

  author, The Ultimate Wedding Idea Book and

  The Frugal Bride

  CHICKEN SOUP

  FOR THE

  BRIDE’S SOUL

  Stories of Love, Laughter and

  Commitment to Last a Lifetime

  Jack Canfield

  Mark Victor Hansen

  Maria Nickless

  Gina Romanello

  Health Communications, Inc.

  Deerfield Beach, Florida

  www.hcibooks.com

  www.chickensoup.com

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Cataloging-in-Publication data is on file with the Library of Congress.

  © 2004 John T. Canfield and Hansen and Hansen LLC

  eISBN-13: 978-0-7573-9976-3

  eISBN-10: 0-7573-9976-2

  All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

  HCI, its logos and marks are trademarks of Health Communications, Inc.

  Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.

  3201 S.W. 15th Street

  Deerfield Beach, FL 33442–8190

  R-12-06

  Cover design by Larissa Hise Henoch

  Inside formatting by Lawna Patterson Oldfield

  This book is dedicated to brides of the world!

  May your wedding day lay a foundation of

  lifelong commitment, love and happiness.

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Foreword Beverly Clark

  Introduction

  Share with Us

  1. THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE

  Twenty-Six Years—An Unfolding Romance Kris Hamm Ross

  My Love Is Like a Red, Red Marker Carrie St. Michel

  A Second Chance Ariana Adams

  Roses Not Required Rachel Wallace-Oberle

  A Change of Heart Denise Jacoby

  Dancing in the Aisles Amanda Krug

  The Porsche Factor Mitali Perkins

  2. PROPOSALS

  Treasure Hunt Steve Manchester

  The Last Quarter Ward Nickless

  The Changing Tide Michelle Marullo

  Until Death . . . Barbara Loftus Boswell

  Storybook Proposal Matthew Cummings

  Love Is in the Air Lynette Baker Helms

  Hidden Treasures Michelle Isenhour

  A Trail of Love Shad Purcell

  Taking Care of Business Leigh P. Rogers

  Popping the Question Elizabeth L. Blair

  A Friend, Indeed! Sylvia Suriano

  Never Say Never Sally Kelly-Engeman

  3. THE PERFECT DRESS

  She Did It Her Way Julie Firman

  Priceless Nora E. Kessel

  Given the Green Light Jeanne Hill

  Holding It All Together Adele Noetzelman

  Tagged for Delivery Pat Phillips

  The Blessed Dress Sandy Williams Driver

  Keepin’ the Faith Greta Montgomery

  4. THE BIG DAY

  A Snow Cloud’s Silver Lining Annmarie B. Tait

  Kiss and Tell Theresa Chan

  A Bouquet to Remember Cindy L. Lassalle

  Flower Princess Nicole Owens

  What Could My Country Do for Me? Carlienne A. Frisch

  Dismally Late Jeanne Hill

  My Love Is Like a Mountain Eileen Chase

  At Ease Carol McAdoo Rehme

  Should We or Shouldn’t We? Raegan Holloway

  He Completed Us Michelle Lawson

  Coming Full Circle Denise N. Wheatley

  Built on Love Miriam Hill

  Raining Love Kelly Stevens-Hartley

  5. WHO GIVETH?

  A Tale of Two Fathers Kimberly Ripley

  The Best One Michelle Marullo

  The Unconditional Step Donald R. Novakovich

  Bedtime Fears Charlotte Lanham

  Going Home Liza G. Maakestad

  Angie’s Wedding Day Judit
h Givens

  The Music Played On Nancy B. Gibbs

  This Is Our Dance Amanda Parise-Peterson

  The Unlikely Best Man Jenn Dlugos

  Given Away Renata Waldrop

  6. FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE

  That’s Entertainment! Maryellen Heller

  Of Blue Jeans and Buttons Maria Nickless

  House to Home Mike Zeballos

  Princess Bride Veneta Leonard

  Te Amo, Te Quiero, Cariña Patrick Mendoza

  In the End Barbara M. Johnson

  A Second Chance at Remembering Becky Knutson, as told to Jeannie Kim

  What Matters Most Shonna Milliken Humphrey

  Old Love Turned Brand-New Vicki Frizzell, as told to Janet Matthews

  Got Match? C. Capiz Greene

  7. TREASURED MOMENTS

  A Bridesmaid’s View from the Altar Kathy Passero

  At the Ritz Cathy L. Novakovich

  Chain of Love Kathleen Happ

  Through the Beholder’s Eyes Keith A. Wooden

  Arm-in-Arm Michele Wallace Campanelli

  Sisterly Love Ann Cooke

  Heart of Friendship Michele Wallace Campanelli

  Guest of Honor Cindy L. Lassalle

  The Look Patty Swyden Sullivan

  Stepping In Penny Perrone

  Joan’s Bouquet Julie Messbarger, as told to Charlotte Adelsperger

  Pennies from Heaven Holly Jensen Hughes

  Silverware and Sauces Carol Mell

  Budding Hope Elaine G. Dumler

  Grandpa’s Gift Nicolle Woodward

  Oh, What a Catch! Kaylen Pierce

  8. KEEPSAKES

  The Ring of Love Ginger Boda

  Kitchen Cache Lucy Akard Seay

  A Tradition in the Waiting Lorraine Cheeka

  Golden Slippers Charlotte Lanham

  The Wedding Gift Carol Sturgulewski

  Keeping the Tradition Dr. Denise Enete

  Showered with Love Lisa Solomon

  9. WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

  Our First Meeting David R. Wilkins

  Ode to My Mother-in-Law V. J. Coulman

  Final Approval Lad Moore

  Just Like Hazel T. Suzanne Eller

  All in the Family Marie S. Lyle

  My Big, Fat Pig Wedding Debra Purdy Kong

  What’s So Funny? Peggy Purser Freeman

  10. TIMELESS WISDOM

  His ’n’ Hers Gwen Rockwood

  The First Freeze Paige M. Kolb

  Dot-to-Dot Pamela Doerksen

  Advice from the Groom’s Dad Gary Lautens

  Time for a Tune-Up Caroline Pignat

  Someday My Prince Will—Bring Coffee Deborah Thomas

  A Husband for June Cleaver Carla Riehl

  Small Beds, Soft Hearts Norris Burkes

  Until Death Do Us Part Kelly Gamble

  The Trophy Daphne Dykeman

  Love Everlasting Annette Paxman Bowen

  More Chicken Soup?

  Supporting Others

  Who Is Jack Canfield?

  Who Is Mark Victor Hansen?

  Who Is Maria Nickless?

  Who Is Gina Romanello?

  Contributors

  Permissions

  Acknowledgments

  The path to Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul has been made all the more beautiful by the many “companions” who have been there with us along the way. Our heartfelt gratitude to:

  Our families, who have been chicken soup for our souls!

  Inga, Christopher, Oran and Kyle Canfield, and Riley and Travis Mahoney for all their love and support.

  Patty, Elisabeth and Melanie Hansen, for once again sharing and lovingly supporting us in creating yet another book.

  Ward Nickless, for his faithful love and encouragement, which made all those long hours endurable. Madison and Jack, Maria’s blessings from God.

  Doctors Werlin and Grouse, who took care of Maria through two miracle pregnancies and births. Maria’s mother, Eileen—”Don’t forget to mention your mother!”— I love you, Mom! Mum and Dad Nickless. And Maria’s friends, Linda Yates, Jennifer Steward and Jenny Smith, for all their prayers and encouragement.

  Gina’s parents for always encouraging her to “just be me.” I love you, Mom and Dad! Her big sister Dee Dee for always taking care of her, and her wonderful nieces Maegan and Gabby. Her cousin and roommate Michelle for her constant support. All her devoted friends and family—lucky for her, too many to name. Her dog Mattie, for keeping her toes warm those endless nights of working.

  A special thanks to Patty Hansen and Irene Dunlap, whose mentorship, love and support gave us the courage and confidence to take on this project.

  Carol McAdoo Rehme, who is brilliant with words, our thanks for her incredible editing gift and her endearing charm. She made the stories come to life, and we could not have done it without her.

  Brittany Shaw, for always making us laugh, and for her loving support and all those banners for the Web site. You rock! Our staff, Junah Kim and Tracy Downs, who helped launch the project. Nicole Barber, for her loving dedication and consistent help with Madison.

  Our publisher Peter Vegso, for his vision and commitment to bringing Chicken Soup for the Soul to the world.

  Patty Aubery, for being there on every step of the journey, with love, laughter and endless creativity.

  Russ Kamalski for his kindness, wisdom and creative inspiration.

  Heather McNamara and Tasha Boucher for producing our final manuscript with magnificent ease, finesse and care. Thanks for making the final stages of production such a breeze!

  Leslie Riskin, for her care and loving determination to secure our permissions and get everything just right.

  Nancy Autio and Barbara Lomonaco, for nourishing us with truly wonderful stories and cartoons.

  D’ette Corona for being there to answer our questions along the way.

  Patty Hansen, for her thorough and competent handling of the legal and licensing aspects of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. You are magnificent at the challenge!

  Laurie Hartman, for being a precious guardian of the Chicken Soup brand.

  Veronica Romero, Dana Drobny, Kathy Brennan-Thompson, Teresa Esparza, Robin Yerian, Stephanie Thatcher, Jesse Ianniello, Mike Foster, Jody Emme, Trudy Marschall, Michelle Adams, Dee Dee Romanello, Shanna Vieyra, Lisa Williams, Dena Jacobson, Tanya Jones, Mary McKay and David Coleman, who support Jack’s and Mark’s businesses with skill and love.

  Bret Witter, Lisa Drucker, Susan Tobias and Kathy Grant, our editors at Health Communications, Inc., for their devotion to excellence.

  Terry Burke, Tom Sand, Lori Golden, Kelly Johnson Maragni, Elisabeth Rinaldi, Randee Feldman, Patricia McConnell, Kim Weiss, Paola Fernandez-Rana and Teri Peluso, the marketing, sales, administration and PR departments at Health Communications, Inc., for doing such an incredible job supporting our books.

  Tom Sand, Claude Choquette and Luc Jutras, who manage year after year to get our books transferred into thirty-nine languages around the world.

  The art department at Health Communications, Inc., for their talent, creativity and unrelenting patience in producing book covers and inside designs that capture the essence of Chicken Soup: Larissa Hise Henoch, Lawna Patterson Oldfield, Andrea Perrine Brower, Lisa Camp, Anthony Clausi and Dawn Von Strolley Grove.

  All the Chicken Soup for the Soul coauthors, who make it so much of a joy to be part of this Chicken Soup family: Raymond Aaron, Matthew E. Adams, Patty and Jeff Aubrey, Kirk Autio, Nancy Mitchell Autio, Marty Becker, John Boal, Cynthia Brian, Cindy Buck, Ron Camacho, Barbara Russell Chesser, Dan Clark, Tim Clauss, Barbara De Angelis, Don Dible, Mark and Chrissy Donnelly, Irene Dunlap, Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins, Dorothy Firman, Frances Firman Salorio, Julie Firman, Bud Gardner, Patty Hansen, Jennifer Read Hawthorne, Eve Hogan, Kimberly Kirberger, Carol Kline, Tom and Laura Lagana, Tommy Lasorda, Sharon Linnea, Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, Janet Matthews, Hanoch and Meladee McCarty, Heather McNamara, Katy McNamara, John McPherson, Paul J. Meyer, Dan
Millman, Arline Oberst, Marion Owen, Maida Rogerson, Martin Rutte, Amy Seeger, Marci Shimoff, Sidney Slagter, Barry Spilchuk, Robin Stephens, Pat Stone, Carol Sturgulewski, Jim Tunney, LeAnn Thieman, Diana von Welanetz Wentworth, Sharon Wohlmuth and Wyland.

  Our glorious panel of readers who helped us make the final selections and made invaluable suggestions on how to improve the book: Barbara Lomonaco, Carol Rehme, Pat Evans, Laurie Hartman, Cindy Hoffman, Kim Aguilar, Carrie Boeing, Sonya D. Hammond, Val Coulman, Maria Harden, Betty King, Lynn Parker, Nancy Pardo, Ashley Rice, Shawna Wilson, Crystal Clark, Colleen Moulton, Ranee Foster, Heather Cook-Lindsay, Melanie Johnson, Brenda Thompson, Karen Rivera, Penny A. Troutman, Angelea Evangelista, Renee King, Kerri Meritt, Robin Tuthil, Beth Tobey, Crystal Anderson, Jody Emme, Cheri Sherman, Carrie Pierce, Susan Herron, Joy Stevenson, Winter Eberstein, Linda Osmundson, Nancy Pelletier, Shiloh Godshall, Sabrina Black, Polly Andrews, Heather Burkett, Donna Cummings, Vania Hudson-Perkins, Steve Ruzicka, Cathi Calato, Jaime Hickey, Janice Bashman, Emily Thayer, Maria Vanderkolk, Donna Godsell, Janice Roque and Heather Cole.

  Those partnering Web sites that graciously helped gather stories: Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, Association of Wedding Professionals, International, Watermark Weddings, iweddings.com, southernbride.com, weddingchannel.com, njwedding.com, lovemagazine.com, bridesguide.com, weddingquestions.com, www.weddingsbeautiful.com, weddingshowergifts.com, aweddingday.com, heartswithsoul.com, bridalshopdirectory.com, aweddingdept.com, poemstogo.tv, candlesbynily.com, virtuallymarried.com, frameyourday.com, marilynskeepsakes.com, ssbridal.com, askginka.com, plannersguide.com.

  And, most of all, everyone who submitted their heartfelt stories, poems, quotes and cartoons for possible inclusion in this book. While we were not able to use everything you sent in, we know that each word came from a creative place deep within your soul.

  Because of the size of this project, we may have left out the names of some people who contributed along the way. If so, we are sorry, but please know that we really do appreciate you very much.

  We are truly grateful and love you all.

  Foreword

  Dear Future Bride,

  You’re one of the lucky ones. Lucky to have found your best friend; lucky to be in love, lucky to know deep in your heart that you’re ready to share your life with him; and lucky to be holding this timeless treasure in your hands— your personal “Bride’s Diary.” Refer to it in your time of stress. Read the stories for inspiration. That’s what the book is for.