Going Back in Time: March 27, 2009

Just wanted you to meet Mariella and Steffen and share a little of their wedding day! It was a cold, blustery day the end of March, but the rain stopped for the whole day so they could at least be free of umbrellas! First, you must know a little about them. Steffen is the youngest of seven children, and Mariella is the oldest of seven children. They met several years ago at a young adult activity, talked, and just "hung out." They met a couple more times (not easy to do as they lived about 4 hours distant from one another) at church activities, and then Steffen got called to Austria on a mission. Well, as fate would have it, so did Mariella (very same misson). They saw each other once on their mission but that is all. Then, one afternoon after her mission, Mariella was sitting in the celestial room at the temple and in walks Steffen, and he says he knew right then and there that she was who he wanted to marry... and they lived happily ever after!! Of course, it wasn't that easy, as getting married over here is a real challenge for young people, housing difficult to find or afford, etc., etc. Steffen is in school studying to become a professor, and Mariella works in our office--thus our connection with her. Their courtship lasted more than a year, with each taking a turn traveling the 4 hours to the other's house on weekends. She's from Bad Homburg, and Steffen is from Hannover.

As the law requires a civil marriage before a temple marriage, they were first married in this little building next to the city hall in Friedricksdorf (the city where the temple is). We waited outside during the civil ceremony, as we brought cookies and goodies for them to munch on before they walked to the temple, about six blocks away!

Dad trying to stay warm and not snitch the cookies!

Ceremony over, and out they come to be showered with flower petals (much nicer than rice, don't you think?).

Mariella's mother is Chilean, and Mariella has her beautiful coloring and features. Steffen won't win a GQ award, but he's solid gold--absolutely perfect for her. Mariella currently has two brothers serving missions (and her family is anything but rich), and all of Steffen's brothers served missions and all brothers and sisters married in the temple. Strong, strong families.

Fun tradition to share: Mariella's family made a heart on a sheet (backed by kind of a paper mache -- hum, how do you spell that?). The bride and groom are required to cut out the red heart and then walk through the white piece that is left, representing starting life together.

They were so cute about it--had a race to see who could cut his or her side first! Mariella won!

I missed the shot of them walking through, but oh, well...

Time for family photos...

And here's poor Mariella, trying to warm up after freezing for all the photos and traditions! The two families then walked up the cute little cobblestone streets to the temple, where they were sealed in a wonderful ceremony.

I'm happy to announce that they moved into our little branch, and already their strength is felt and appreciated. They are one special couple. We just love them to death!