Thanks so much to all of you for your well-wishes to our "elopement". We are sorry that you weren't there with us in person. In true style, we did what we do best - board a plane and live life to the fullest.
We were on a road trip in the German and Austrian Alps when we decided that the time was right for that "crazy plan" we had been talking about. Dana had just met Matthias' family, and we had already planned to meet his sister and brother in law in California for their vacation from Australia. So off we went to Joshua Tree!
The place was magical. Dana's friend Katie officiated the ceremony. Matthias' sister Anne and her husband Dave were our witnesses.
In the year and a half that we have known each other, we were constantly together, 24/7, at home and abroad, around the globe and back - arguably more so than most couples in that amount of time. We laughed, loved and ate our way across time and space to find ourselves at this exciting new chapter.
The story we continually write with and for each other is only just beginning. We couldn't be happier, and we hope that you will enjoy the images of our travels and ceremony we chose to share below.
Love,
Dana & Matthias
PS: If you wish to make a gift to us, we greatly appreciate a contribution to our honeymoon fund via Venmo (Matthias-Resch-1), Paypal, (matthias_resch@hotmail.com) or check. Thanks so much ! ;-)
We were on a road trip in the German and Austrian Alps when we decided that the time was right for that "crazy plan" we had been talking about. Dana had just met Matthias' family, and we had already planned to meet his sister and brother in law in California for their vacation from Australia. So off we went to Joshua Tree!
The place was magical. Dana's friend Katie officiated the ceremony. Matthias' sister Anne and her husband Dave were our witnesses.
In the year and a half that we have known each other, we were constantly together, 24/7, at home and abroad, around the globe and back - arguably more so than most couples in that amount of time. We laughed, loved and ate our way across time and space to find ourselves at this exciting new chapter.
The story we continually write with and for each other is only just beginning. We couldn't be happier, and we hope that you will enjoy the images of our travels and ceremony we chose to share below.
Love,
Dana & Matthias
PS: If you wish to make a gift to us, we greatly appreciate a contribution to our honeymoon fund via Venmo (Matthias-Resch-1), Paypal, (matthias_resch@hotmail.com) or check. Thanks so much ! ;-)
PAcific Northwest
September 2016 japanOctober 2016 vietnamNovember 2016 germany / austriaAugust / September 2017 |
HAwaii - big island & mauiSeptember / October 2016 taiwanOctober 2016 sri lankaDecember 2016 southern californiaSeptember 2017 |
the ceremony
Wednesday, September 6th 2017
|
PLAYLIST
John Legend - All of You John Mayer - Free Fallin' Sam Smith - Stay With Me Ed Sheehan - Thinking Out Loud RZA / Xaivier Naidoo - I've Never Seen |
|
Marvin Gaye - You're All That I Need to Get By Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing DJ Khaled - Im' The One Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Follow You Into the Dark Bob Marley - Waiting in Vain José Gonsález - Heartbeats |
M: Unusual or not, in this day and age, we met online.
D: We met online while Matthias was visiting South Florida and staying in a hotel in Miami Beach.
M: Dana was just a few blocks away in her apartment – but we didn’t realize that until months later.
D: Matthias went back to NYC and we talked and talked and talked for hours and days on the phone without having ever met in person.
M: After weeks had turned into months, Dana, after a failed attempt by myself earlier, did the incredible – she packed her bags and flew to meet this stranger up in NYC.
D: We finally spent a fun-filled week, getting to know each other in the flesh.
M: Dana, having lived a life between two cities for some time, returned to NY that spring and our story continued to unfold.
D: Not knowing what to make of it, we set out to enjoy the time we were given.
M: Would it last beyond a summer?, I wondered, since I had made the decision to quit my career and take a leap of faith traveling the globe for several months.
D: But we both were about to change our lives in profound ways. One was more certain than the other. We were holding onto each other, spending most of our time inseparably, 24/7
M: Then serendipity truly took hold: We concluded our respective careers at the same time. We both had wanted to travel. So we took off together – last minute, so to speak.
D: After months of traveling the world, bliss, joy and the occasional fight, we knew that our passion for each other was more than a fling – it was to last.
M: The big confrontation – it happened in Vietnam – was the turning point for me. I realized how truly I cared about Dana. I needed her. I wanted her. And I wouldn’t give her up without a fight.
D: I realized the same. Well, it was my friend Simone who I called that evening to ask if I was crazy and what the hell I was I doing who pointed this out. She listened and laughed at me simply because I sounded like someone who was truly in love.
M: A week of separation ensued, each of us going our respective ways for a week before reuniting for the final part of our travel adventure. I was in Australia celebrating Anne and David’s wedding. Dana was in Singapore, hanging out around town with random strangers, having a good time. I felt jealous while I was waiting to hear her voice over the phone.
D: After three months on the road, our ways parted again. I needed to head back home. And Matthias went on to climbing a mountain he had dreamt of since childhood. We finally reunited in Miami. Matthias was back and forth between Florida, NY and Virginia for the better part of Feb / March before announcing his temporary move to VA.
M: Dana came to visit. She stayed. And she did so for a long time. We found a balance and tranquility with each other that only true and equal partnerships portray. Better yet, we share many of the same likes and most of the dislikes.
D: I left VA and returned to NY, doing what I had to do. I moved into Matthias place having given up my own nook in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
M: I stayed in VA, doing what I had to do. Thankfully, Dana came to visit again.
D: I said I wouldn't, but I did. The rest is history. Matthias returned to NY – moving back into his / our apartment with me. But not for long, as I suggested and we decided to visit the family in Germany.
M: Having done so, and being on a road trip in the German Alps, we decided to put into action a plan that we had developed for some time – getting married!
D: It all went fast. It may seem surreal. But we both agree that the time we have spent together, the adventures we had gone through, the ideas we had for our lives – alone and together – were ripe for the next step.
M: In this short period of a year and a half, we arguably spent more time with each other than most couples achieve in years. The story doesn’t end here. But it is today, now, that the first of many parts in our relationship concludes.
D: Today, we give each to the other, in love, respect, trust and passion.
M: Today, I marry my best friend. I promise to Kiss you Good Night, every night, always.