Real People, Real Relationships-Charlie and Michael

How did both of you meet? 

We met when we both lived in Chicago in the 1990’s.

I (Charlie) was looking for an apartment….   and I  (Michael)  was the property manager of the complex!

It was instant love at first sight. We didn’t know it at the time but we were both checking each other out.  When he called to state I had the apartment, we started dating and I took the unit next to his.

We knocked down the door and joined the two units together and celebrated our first Christmas together!

And ……..  We’ve been together ever since…19 years and going strong!

Why did you want to get married vs. just live together?

We have been together for a long time and we knew that due to the laws allowing marriage, this was the time we needed to do it.  We needed to start thinking of our future together and make certain that our love was expressed to not only us, but to our family and friends.  Also, we needed to make certain the other was protected by law in case something should happen to us.

The Wedding: Describe the day? Who attended, and was it a formal or informal wedding ?

Well, the double bachelor party was at The Parliament House in Orlando and we got married on our anniversary which is September 19.  So not only was it our anniversary, but also our 19 years together.

It was an informal wedding with some traditional wedding elements.

The day was a glorious, sunny Florida day.  We were married in a grotto at the Mennelo Museum of American Art in Orlando, Florida.

Our dear friend, Anna Chasteen married us, who I have known since I was a youth, and we reconnected through Facebook years ago.  Other dear friends were there Jason, Teri, Lynn, Mike, Anna’s family, and our niece, Jayme.  Jayme and Anna’s husband, Gary were our witnesses.  We are big believers in family and both of us are committed to our family and friends.  It is important for everyone to bear witness to that love in small ways like spending time together with a nephew to big ways of getting married.

The evening reception was held again at Parliament House and the morning breakfast was held at Hamburger Mary’s Orlando for their Broadway Brunch.

What did getting married mean to both of you?

Getting married meant to us the ultimate commitment to one another and a deep expression of our love for each other.

What did you learn from Past Relationships that made both of you better husbands?  How we are doing things differently now?

We have a different respect for one another and we have absolute trust with each other.  We have both matured in our life together. And absolutely, don’t focus on trivial matters.

What advice do you want to give to other couples?

Keep the lines of communication open, understand each other’s viewpoints, don’t sweat the small stuff because life if full of challenges and you must overcome them as a couple.  Be strong and supportive each and every day.  Remember to show your affection to one another on a daily basis whether it is a peck on the cheek, a soft word, or a strong hug.

What do you love the most about your relationship and your partner? 

The security of knowing that when we come home, we are coming home to one another and there is comfort and support waiting for you.

What are your GOALS AS A COUPLE? 

We will continue to make a safe home for us and our fur babies, have a healthy, happy long life, tour the states, laugh, be silly, and remain young at heart, and continue to learn from one another as we change and grow.