What are your names?
Michael & Valerie
What is your anniversary date?
April 4, 2009
How long have you now been married?
Almost 5 years
We’d love to share with everyone how you met, can you tell that story?
I started a book club through myspace for former English majors specifically to meet Michael after finding his match.com profile and liking him but not a wanting to meet through the website. He took the bait and joined the book club and asked me out. I didn’t tell him the truth until months later.
And of course we have to tell everyone how you got engaged… it’s our favorite part; please share!
It was a real surprise! After just 9 months, we took a trip to Keywest. Following a sunset cruise and long walk on the pier, he got down on one knee. I threw my sun glasses and said of course, put it on!
Please tell us about your wedding? What were some of the details? Where was it? What were your favorite parts?
It was a true desert wedding! Desert plants everywhere! It was wonderful to show my out of town guests how beautiful it can be out here. We held it at the AZ Historical Society. Recited vows we wrote ourselves and danced the night away to music we hand picked for months–including salsa that poor Michael endured lessons for months before.
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What is the best memory you have from your wedding day?
Sitting at the head table taking it all in. I was also so emotional during our vows!
Of course we have to hear about your pictures, since we were your photographers. What was it like having Kimberly photograph your wedding? What do you remember most about your photography?
I love how Kim captured the beauty of the desert in the spring. She was very professional and knew just what I wanted.
Now that your wedding is over, what is the one thing you look back on and are so thankful that you did?
Hiring you!
How has life changed since your wedding day, please fill us in on all the details (moves, kids, new houses, promotions, etc).
We moved to Miami then back to Phoenix. Michael got his law degree at ASU and is practicing here in Phx. We bought a house in downtown Tempe in December 2010. After three years of infertility, we welcomed our son, Willem Michael this past September. Our lives have never been happier.
If you have kids can you please share with us about them… we LOVE to hear fun kid stories.
Our son is so amazing. The sweetest, most easy going baby, with beautiful blue eyes. I’m so fortunate to be his full time mom.
Do you have any updated pictures? Tell us about this picture that you are sending to us.
Baby’s first Xmas!
When you were newly weds did you picture this would be your life, this many years after your wedding?
We lived in LA at the time we got married and had no plans to leave until we got married. Seeing all my friends and family made me miss everyone so much, so we rooted and moved to my hometown in Miami. We wound up deciding we liked and missed Phoenix and wanted to have a family out west, so Michael applied to ASU law and the rest is history.
If you were to go back in time and tell your newly engaged selves one thing, what would it be?
Be kind to each other. You’ve married the best person you know and there is so much to be thankful for.
Do you have any advice for new bride and grooms?
Marriage gets better and better
by kimberlyjarman