PlanetClaire - The PASH Wedding Forums and Message Boards

PlanetClaire · #1 12-07-2005, 05:43 AM

I met my FH, Christopher, online on a Motley Crue ( yes, you read that right!) fansite in April of this year. There were alot of really interesting and funny people posting- much like here! There was a thread where we would all just pop on and talk about our day etc...Much like a chat room but with posts, like this.So we crossed paths everyday and found that we had many shared interests. He was going through a divorce but never bad mouthed his soon to be ex but rather told me about their life together and their 10 year old daughter. So it started as a friendship.

Then just before my birthday in July, I sensed a change in tone of his posts and private messages to me! I boldly gave him my telephone number and told him to call me. I had no fear of him showing up on my doorstep as I live in Toronto and he in Sikeston, MO! The first time I heard his sweet, sexy, "lazy" southern drawl, I was done for!!

We began a phone relationship ( daily from 4-7 hour long conversations) and fell in love! He says he fell in love with me while we were still online in May and that it was his mission to "make me his"! I went to meet him in October and he was even better in person than he was on the phone; polite, kind, funny, smart, pretty much everything that I had been looking for. He thinks the world of me and shows me and tells me everyday. And, the clever bastard, emails my Mom regularly and she LOVES him!!

On October 8, while I was there for my first visit, we went to see Corpse Bride, got matching tattoos(An Ankh with C&C under it) and then went back to the hotel where he proposed! Just a simple "Will you marry me?" while we were sitting on the loveseat. I was surprised and not all at the same time! And I wisely said yes! There was alot of giggling and crying and loving!

I went back for a visit for Thanksgiving and it was even better than the first time. He received his divorce papers the day I arrived! Good timing! I met even more of the family- who are all really down to earth and funny. And I'm quite a hit with the family- keep in good with the in-laws!!

So we are trying to plan as much of the wedding as we can without having an actual date! We have applied for a K1 fiance Visa which takes 4-6 months to obtain- no more "Get married and welcome to America"!! Much more complicated now, understandably! So we're counting on May and want to get married outside at his Granma's place as she has the most beautiful pond on her property. Fingers and toes crossed!

I bought my dress online for $99 and it's beautiful! Chris bought his tux already. We bought his wedding band on "Black Friday" ( wow! THAT was quite something!)We've gotten quotes on wedding cakes, flowers, chair rentals, a canopy rental and started to make a "hopeful" guest list.

It's pretty tough being apart and trying to organize it this way! We will be getting married in MO and my friends and family aren't going to get much notice so they may not be able to make it! But Chris has been so excited and involved; I sometimes think he is more excited than I am! And his Mom and Grandmother, both of whom I have met and we have a mutual admiration society going on, are helping and prepared to help in any way that they can.

And a BIG thank you to UCF Bride for very kindly sending me bubble containers !! That was very nice of you!!

Oh yeah...I'm 42 and he's 29!! Wohoooo!! Hey if Demi can do it, so can I!!! And I re-read this and sound like some sort of biker chick! Not that there's anything wrong with that....( Tip 'o the hat to Seinfeld). And I think my Dad "sent" Chris to me. My "Pop" died suddenly in May of 2003 and I am sure he had a hand in steering me towards this most wonderful man; Chris possesses a lot of the same qualities as my Dad and it makes me sad that they won't meet.

So I shall post my thoughts and plans in my own little "blog". LOL

555Ann555 · #2 12-07-2005, 06:02 AM

Thank for sharing that Claire! I love reading everyones stories!

It seems really strang how many people I know now who have settled down with people they've met online! I guess there is the temptation to be more honest with each other because you don't have to face the other person, and you'll really 'listen' to each other coz noone can interupt! Ahem... please excuse the rambling, I was thinking as I typed!

PlanetClaire · #3 12-07-2005, 06:11 AM

Thank you for replying Ann! Trying to fit in here with an existing close bunch of people is a bit of a challenge!

I was the biggest naysayer about internet romances! I would lecture all my friends that everyone on line was a big, lying phony! Don't believe a word a man tells you online...etc....I had to retire my soapbox and take some flack!!

If I had my druthers, he'd live in Canada so we wouldn't have to go through all this. But, 'tis a small price to pay in the long run!

Marrying_the_Good_Husband · #4 12-07-2005, 01:49 PM

It's true, when you think about close we end up getting on this site. Some of you I do feel like it was fated to become good friends, you know? And I think about how I would have never known you if not for this site. And I'm sure Tommy Lee has a way of bringing people together!

It's a sweet story, Claire! I chuckled at your "non-biker chick" disclaimer! You go with that younger man! Whoo-hoo! Oh, and as for trying to fit in here--just jump in--especially in the Lounge. The more we get to know of everyone, they automatically become "one of the gang." (Except for South Side Bride--but that's another story!

) Anyway, I know I felt intimidated at first, too. Then I just started posting 50 times a day and they just HAD to accept me!

bebe · #5 12-07-2005, 05:05 PM

I used to knock to online dating too, for a long time. But really, a person can lie to you to your face, so what's the difference? Typing or talking...I don't think it matters so much anymore! My friend Lisa got married in June to a guy she met on match.com, and my sister Shannon is getting married this Friday to a guy she met on eHarmony.com. I don't know my friends husband well since I have only met him once, but my sisters fiance is so great! I am glad to hear about another successful 'cyber' romance! I totally want to get my mom on eHarmony...

SuzyBride · #6 12-07-2005, 06:11 PM

Wow! I am one of those who knocks online dating/romance too, but now I don't know! I mean, he must be really great for you to move from Canada to Missouri!! I hope all the paperwork/procedures/whatever go though quickly so you can set a date. Keep us posted with wedding plans and welcome and congrats!

Complicated Woman · #7 12-07-2005, 06:17 PM

Claire, we're so glad you're here! That's quite an adventurous story!! Can't wait to keep hearing about your wedding plans...

feb-bride · #8 12-07-2005, 07:01 PM

Thanks so much for sharing your story!

If I ever found myself single again, I would not rule out trying match.com or one of those sites, just to see what's out there.

PlanetClaire · #9 12-08-2005, 03:19 AM

Thanks everyone! I'm really enjoying this site!! I'll make you like me dammit! LOL

MTGH- I'm taking your advice and posting everywhere!!

Slight bump in the road...Our immigration lawyer had advised me during my free consulation that for $300 US he would provide us with advice on how to proceed with the application or for $5000 ( cough cough gasp gasp) his firm would process the entire application. So I opted for the former obviously!

We sent him an email asking some questions about the forms and he comes back and says that that would be part of the "application process" and not a consultation! So I told him that he had provided absolutely NO assistance to us and that I had gotten more info from the USCIS ( formerly INS) website than I had from him and that I wanted my consulation fee returned.

Luckily for him he decided to honour my request. Otherwise I would have had to go to Buffalo and kick some butt!!

So we've gone over all the forms etc..ourselves, are quite confident that we have everything in order and have sent it all in. All digits are crossed!

AND my poor sweet Mummy has been hospitalized with congestive heart failure. She lives in Quebec City and I in Toronto and I can't get to her for a few more days! She's all alone with no one to visit and I feel guilty as hell and am worried sick about her. Prayers please! My Dad passed away in 03 and won't be at my wedding. I'll be heartbroken if something happens to my Mummy.

Lizbet · #10 12-08-2005, 02:45 PM

Sorry to hear about your Mom, she'll be in my thoughts. Please keep us informed.

I'm glad you think you have everything worked out (legally) for the wedding.

UCF_bride · #11 12-08-2005, 03:00 PM

hey, I'm glad you liked the bubbles!! :-) ...Wishing you the best with everything!

PlanetClaire · #12 12-10-2005, 04:23 AM

I've just about had it today. Each time Chris and I seem to have the immigration thing sorted some roadblock pops up. I'm really quite exhausted with the research and runaround and different info you get from different sources. We were on the phone today and were both just so damned frustrated that we had a bit of a tiff but then calmed down.

On top of that, and more urgent and important, my Mum's condition appears to be more serious than we thought. She has multiple blockages in her heart. On Monday they are going to do more tests to determine if she can just have her arteries expanded with those balloon gizmos or if she has to have surgery. Scary. And my schmuck of a brother hasn't even called her once! He's away on business but give me a freakin' break, you don't have 5 minutes in your day to check in?? I am so angry with him. Selfish jerk.

So, I need everyone to sing 99 Red Balloons over the weekend for good luck!

maroki13 · #13 12-10-2005, 04:33 AM

First, I hope things with your Mom go ok!! *thinking good thoughts* That is bad of your brother to have not even called her...he does know she is in the hospital?

And the whole immigration thing...that really sucks. First the lawyer who 'helps' but doesn't really help you, and then the run around. I can understand why it would get a little tense when you think that things are going well and moving forward and it turns out they aren't.

Marrying_the_Good_Husband · #14 12-10-2005, 04:14 PM

So sorry to hear about your mom! She'll definitely be in my thoughts.

Complicated Woman · #15 12-10-2005, 05:05 PM

Praying for your mom, Claire. Hope everything goes well. Sorry to hear about what a rough time you're having!

PlanetClaire · #16 12-10-2005, 05:55 PM

Thanks ladies- your support means alot!

And Maroki- yep bro knew, I called him and told him. He and my sil recently suffered a miscarriage after many years of trying to get pregnant. I think it's a bit much for him to take in. Our Dad died 2 years ago and he had a hard time with that too. I'm trying to be compassionate but sometimes you need to put someone else's needs ahead of your own.

555Ann555 · #17 12-12-2005, 11:00 AM

Sorry to hear about your mum Claire, hope everything works out, I'll be praying too. ::Big Hug::

PlanetClaire · #18 12-13-2005, 08:52 PM

Thanks Ann! One of my best buddies uses that avatar! Good taste!

No word yet on Mum....trying to remain calm......

In the meantime I thought I'd share what we have done so far or are thinking about.

This is my dress:

The back is a fairly deep V cut with a fake button panel that folds over the zipper!! The embroidery on it is very pretty, little flowers with tiny pearl-like beads, and little leaves. Very pretty and only cost me $99 online and got to me in under a week. It needs a little work, or rather I do, on the arms but I have some time.

Not sure whether to go with a veil or just an updo with a flower.

The FH will be wearing this:

It's a really nice 3 buttoned jacket and pants. He's going to wear a silver/grey bowtie and cumberbund. It was $165 at J.C. Penney! That was for the suit, shirt, tie and cumberbund AND shoes! Couldn't beat it!

This is the bouquet or at least style and colours that I'm leaning towards:

PlanetClaire · #19 12-13-2005, 08:53 PM

Bubbles!!!!! I'm a HUGE SpongeBob fan so BUBBLES!!!! Using these ones:

We are looking at cakes and really like those cascading or floating ones where they are on separate stands as opposed to stacked. And we got this cake topper:

It's really hard to plan for other things as we don't know when it'll be yet!!

TheaterDiva1 · #20 12-13-2005, 09:11 PM

Sorry for the delay... I love the dress you posted - and the bouquet!

And I met DH online as well (www.dreammates.com), so I'd never discourage online dating!

Marrying_the_Good_Husband · #21 12-14-2005, 01:12 AM

Claire, you're REALLY using that cake topper?!?!? You guys are funny!

PlanetClaire · #22 12-14-2005, 01:32 AM

Yes ma'am!! Isn't it great?! Chris and I laugh alot, all the time and it's just so "us". He does as he's told! LOL. As do I!!

They had ones of the man being whipped and all sorts, this one was great! And you can use paints on them to change the haircolour!!!

And Major thanks to all of you for your well wishes and prayers. It worked! Mum was told today that she will be treated with medication with no surgery or angioplasty required. I feel like the weight of the world is off my shoulders now!

Marrying_the_Good_Husband · #23 12-14-2005, 02:31 AM

SO glad to hear your mom's ok!!!!

feb-bride · #24 12-14-2005, 03:13 PM

I'm glad to hear your mom is okay.

555Ann555 · #25 12-14-2005, 04:16 PM

Great news Claire

Must be a big weight off your shoulders to know your mum'll not need the surgery. You'll just need to harrass her into taking it easy now!