Cynthia Gentry (CCAL30) (1914)
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He proposed in Paris....
Posted to: Cynthia Gentry (CCAL30) (1914) by Cynthia Gentry (CCAL30) (1914), Wed, 04 Oct 2006 12:24:15 PDT
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My stars must have been aligned in some incredible way in late summer 2004. I found all of my friends here on Omidyar.net in late August and at about the same time a friend of mine started forwarding my political emails to a friend of hers. She thought he'd like my philosophy. He did. Turns out he liked me, too. He proposed to me in Paris Monday night!
I'll post some pictures from the trip here over the weekend. Pretty jet-lagged right now, but had to share my news with y'all.
Some things in life are worth waiting for, and Al is one of them. He's a terrific man. I am so lucky. I look back on my life and so much of it leads me here. The gift of a trip to Paris (I had never been before) is just one example of his generous spirit. Bigger still is that he is willing to share his wonderful twin ten-year-olds with me. I adore them.
Even without the proposal (which, by the way, I accepted) Paris was a dream come true. We stayed in Montparnasse which is an old arty section. Paul Gauguin (my favorite artist) used to live 3 doors down from our adorable tiny hotel. The restaurant, Wadja - our favorite place in Paris and where Al proposed, was a regular haunt of Giacometti (my sister's hero) and Modigliani. On the plane home I was reading "A Moveable Feast," and in it Hemingway describes walking down rue Delambre (our street.. only a couple of blocks long) to Le Dome. We ate at Le Dome's bistro.
I am peacefully and profoundly happy. I never imagined this would be a part of my life. I was never one of those girls who imagined her wedding. My first one, fresh off the commune, was done in jeans. This is going to be a wonderful party filled with the love of great friends and family and I will walk away with a husband who is my best friend. I am truly blessed.
So much more to tell, but I have to dash now. He's telling the kids our wonderful news as I type this and I'm going over so we can celebrate.
Comments page 1
By Cynthia Gentry (CCAL30) (1914), Wed, 04 Oct 2006 17:31:49 PDT
Edited: Sat, 07 Oct 2006 04:58:31 PDT
Comment feedback score: 0
Just got back from an impromtu announcement party at Al's house. He lives in one of those neighborhoods where people just show up and all end up having dinner together. Everyone is so happy for us.
Al's kids were thrilled with the news... I'm thrilled that they're thrilled. His son said "This is the happiest day of my life." OK, he's prone to hyperbole, but it's still great. :-) He ran down the street to tell his friend he was so excited.
Twin ten-year olds (one boy, one girl). Wow. They were so welcoming. I even got a call from their mother who is thrilled. We get along really well...another godsend!
This is such fun. Now, putting together a wedding in three months ought to be fun, too. Wonder if they have any magazines that give you ideas on how to do that?
Edited: typo
topBy Cynthia Gentry (CCAL30) (1914), Wed, 04 Oct 2006 17:34:38 PDT
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Hi Susan! We must have posted at the same time. Thanks for the good wishes.
By Mark Grimes (4111), Wed, 04 Oct 2006 17:46:18 PDT
Comment feedback score: 5 (* * * * *)
Fantastic news, you never know what may happen in Paris. This is very great news Cynthia, I'm thrilled for you and Al.
>>Wonder if they have any magazines that give you ideas on how to do that?<<
The 90 Day Bride (kidding) ;-)
By Brad Byrne (CCAL30) (1378), Wed, 04 Oct 2006 18:06:09 PDT
Comment feedback score: 5 (* * * * *)
this is really!! COOL! Cynthia :)
I'm really Happy!! for both of ya!
B
By Soren Gordhamer (1423), Wed, 04 Oct 2006 21:35:31 PDT
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Congratulation, Cynthia. Wonderful news!
By Gina Del Vecchio (CCAL30) (871), Wed, 04 Oct 2006 21:53:40 PDT
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fantastico! rock on with yer bad self! marriage is very, very good :) xoxoxoxoxoxo
By Patricia Savitri Burbank (CCAL30) (429), Wed, 04 Oct 2006 23:38:58 PDT
Comment feedback score: 5 (* * * * *)
Cynthia,
I am so happy for you. We haven't met personally nor do we even know each other on ONet, but I have watched your generous spirit online - and am delighted to read this news. Congratulations all around.
Patricia
By Meron s'Mor'z (2163), Thu, 05 Oct 2006 00:04:18 PDT
Comment feedback score: 5 (* * * * *)
WoW! What wonderful news ... congratulations!!!
Does this mean we don't get to sleep together anymore? And does he know you snore? ; )
By Christina (2984), Thu, 05 Oct 2006 00:05:31 PDT
Comment feedback score: 6 (* * * * * *)
Love is in the air! So so very happy for your happiness Cyn!
(and he knows you snore, right??!)
By Christina (2984), Thu, 05 Oct 2006 00:06:05 PDT
Comment feedback score: 5 (* * * * *)
LOL Meron, I just saw your comment!
By Meron s'Mor'z (2163), Thu, 05 Oct 2006 00:09:52 PDT
Comment feedback score: 1 (*)
Obviously Cynthia's snoring is not easily forgotten!
LMFAO!!!
By Christina (2984), Thu, 05 Oct 2006 02:09:36 PDT
Comment feedback score: 15 (* * * * * * * * * *)
I've heard love is blind... in this case perhaps it's deaf too!
we love you cynthia!
By Cynthia Gentry (CCAL30) (1914), Thu, 05 Oct 2006 02:53:30 PDT
Comment feedback score: 0
WHAT snoring? I don't snore. Well, he did mention that once I might have snored just a wee bit, but I'm cetain I must have had a cold or something.
Thanks for the kind wishes, y'all. It means a lot to me even with the vicious snoring rumors you insist on spreading.
Y'all come to Atlanta to party in January! :-)
There are some days when you can just breathe in and savor life, you know? This would be one of those times.
I am reminded of a passage I copied down a long time ago:
That doesn't describe but a portion of what I'm feeling, but it is a wish I never knew would be realized.
By Jim Fussell (CCAL30) (1135), Thu, 05 Oct 2006 03:24:22 PDT
Comment feedback score: 5 (* * * * *)
Cynthia, You are amazing and Al sounds fantastic. I am happy for you in your peaceful and profound happiness. Jim
By Cynthia Gentry (CCAL30) (1914), Thu, 05 Oct 2006 05:52:24 PDT
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Thanks, Jim.
Here's another writing that fits. It's on my profile page, but I love seeing it so here it is again:
By Thomas Kriese (CCAL30) (2314), Thu, 05 Oct 2006 09:04:45 PDT
Comment feedback score: 5 (* * * * *)
So very very happy for you, Cynthia.
Funny how I can't think of how all the stars wouldn't have aligned this way.
Can't wait to see your Paris trip pictures and to some day meet your man, Al. I'm glad you found each other.
By Jean Russell (CCAL30) (3614), Thu, 05 Oct 2006 11:16:51 PDT
Comment feedback score: 5 (* * * * *)
What an incredibly lucky guy! And smart too. Must have been to try to snag you! Many congratulations to you both. Thank you for lighting the world with the sparkle of your loving connection.
By Erin Mohr (444), Thu, 05 Oct 2006 12:05:25 PDT
Comment feedback score: 6 (* * * * * *)
Hooray, hooray Cynthia!!! So thrilled for both of you.
By Evonne Heyning (CCAL30) (2442), Thu, 05 Oct 2006 12:35:37 PDT
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This is exciting Cynthia! Congratulations. I could tell you had found the right one for you the way you gushed about him....there's something special there to be sure.
You deserve all this happiness and more Cyn. Enjoy it.
By Dominique Beyens (CCAL30) (565), Thu, 05 Oct 2006 13:25:54 PDT
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Congrats Cynthia. Enjoy every minute of it.
By Linda ทรัพยากร Nowakowski (CCAL30) (2530), Thu, 05 Oct 2006 19:26:56 PDT
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Patricia Savitri Burbank said:
Cynthia,
I am so happy for you. We haven't met personally nor do we even know each other on ONet, but I have watched your generous spirit online - and am delighted to read this news. Congratulations all around.
Patricia
Ditto! Unending congratulations!
By Anne Marie Bellavance (CCAL30) (2233), Thu, 05 Oct 2006 19:48:42 PDT
Comment feedback score: 5 (* * * * *)
how romantic!!! I will never forget how you sparkled from the inside out - giddy and dancing - every time you mentioned Al's name in Chicago. overflowing as life and love should be......wasn't it you that told me "leap and love will appear" :D
hugs, love and congratulations
p.s. details, can you share more about the proposal Wadja moments?
By Joan Boysen (CCAL30) (559), Fri, 06 Oct 2006 10:57:30 PDT
Comment feedback score: 6 (* * * * * *)
Cynthia,
Can't begin to tell you how thrilled I am for you. You are one of the most vibrant, joyful and loving people I have ever met. Al must be a pretty special guy to capture the heart of woman who just exudes love, hope and joy.
Wishing you both all of the best of life's adventures.
By Evonne Heyning (CCAL30) (2442), Fri, 06 Oct 2006 12:44:11 PDT
Comment feedback score: 0
i agree with everything joan says ;-)
tell us more about it!!!
By Susan Megy (CCAL30) (1570), Wed, 04 Oct 2006 17:27:26 PDT
Comment feedback score: 5 (* * * * *)
This is absolutely wonderful news, Cynthia. I am jumping up and down. You deserve every ounce of happiness....for all you do and all you give to others.
Many heartfelt congratulations. Love is in the air (sigh)