2004 in Pictures

Following the first snow storm of the new year, January 24th, we had plans to celebrate nine months of dating with a special dinner, but Steve had several surprises up his sleeve first. That morning he dropped me off at the salon for some royal treatment: a full-body massage, manicure, hair cut and style. After being pampered, Steve picked me up and brought me back to my apartment, which had been transformed into memory lane. Inside he had set up 600 fortune cookies in a path, marked along the way with pictures, letters, and emails.

Before dining out that night, Steve and I went to the Franklin Park Conservatory, located in downtown Columbus. I was giving him the grand tour when he excused himself to go to the restroom. He returned fifteen minutes later wearing a brand new suit and tie! We continued the tour through the Pacific Islands, until stopping at a bench where he gave me a special present-- a diary, in which he initiated his life changing question. We celebrated with hugs and tears and were then escorted around town in a stretch limo before enjoying our engagement dinner.

In March, Tim, Jim, Josh, and myself, all jumped in the car and took a road trip to Florida. We visited Mom and Dad Handel at The Villages, visited Port St. Lucie where Jim lived for a year, sampled the night lift in Orlando, and of course got in a round of golf. After driving all night to get home, I slept for 20 hours straight. Regardless, we had a great time!

Over the 4th of July, Steve and I traveled to North Carolina to visit a close friend of Steve's. Before heading home, we made a slight detour to Maryland, where Steve's parents were in a car accident while visiting Chris, Brenda, and family. Dad Handel was hospitalized briefly for a broken hip. We're thankful that everyone was ok. It gave us an excuse, too, to go see our new niece Katie Grace born on Father's Day.

Our wedding rehearsal was incredibly special. For the first time, our friends and loved ones all joined together. We met up at Ault Park, site of our outdoor wedding in Cincinnati. Afterwards we gathered at the Rivercenter Embassy Suites for rehearsal dinner. The wedding party, then went out to Newport on the Levy, where we enjoyed outdoor entertainment, shops, and Gameworks.

August 7, 2004. A day we will never forget: blue skies, mild temperatures, friends, family, and committing our lives to each other forever. We praise God daily for our marriage and our AMAZING wedding day.

Aloha. Hawaii is paradise indeed. During our two week honeymoon, we explored both Oahu and Maui, dining, hiking, snorkeling, parasailing, and back-roading. It was just the vacation we needed after 6 months of wedding planning--some real Aloha R&R.

In September, we took a trip to Chicago to see one of Alyssa's close friends. Pictured below is an interesting new tourist site Chicagoans have coined the "bean." See if you can find Alyssa, Jill, and I in the picture on the far right.

We're homeowners! This November, Steve and I purchased our first home! It's been exciting making it our home. We've been painting, decorating, and fixing the numerous quirks, such as the hot water heater and installing a new dishwasher. We love entertaining and are blessed to have the space to make guests feel comfortable.

Some other big events in our life this year: Grandma Handel's 90th Birthday party, celebrated in January and Brandon and Courtney's (Alyssa's brother) engagement this November. They'll be getting married in May 2005. Throughout every event or trial during the course of this past year, we've experienced God's faithfulness and goodness. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season.

Grandma Handel

Brandon and Courtney