Cuz Larry & Lynn Proud Day

Trina receiving her certificate of graduation to become a police officer

At the ripe old age of 32, our daughter, Trina, decided to become a police officer. She'd worked various office jobs since graduating from a community college 12 years ago. She went through several interviews and physical tests of strength and agility. Also had to run 1 1/2 miles under 14 minutes! There were several hundred people who tried out for the 27 positions in the class. She was quite proud of herself for being one of those who succeeded.

Trina with her proud sister, Rebecca

After 23 weeks of evasive driving training, getting shot with rubber bullets by the SWAT team, running, jumping, doing push ups and pull ups, and learning to shoot not only a hand gun, but a 12 gauge shotgun, graduation finally came.

As she walked across the stage, her cheering squad let out quite a noise. We had a full row of relatives and after about a dozen grads had walked across the state, we were the first to make such a noise! For some reason everyone was pretty subdued - except, of course, for us. As the Chief handed Trina her certificate, he asked if she'd brought her own cheering team!

Proud Ma & Pa with Trina

Tony & Shelby - Wedding

Just when we thought Tony was a confirmed bachelor he up and surprises us and gets married!

Tony is Lee's (Alice) son. The wedding took place last fall and I apologize for not getting it on the blog any sooner, but life has a way of getting away from me.

After we moved to Florida we tried to visit with Lee as often as we could. We watched as Tony grew up and went off to college. It seems like ages ago that we last saw Tony... After he graduated from college he was searching for a direction in his life and needed a job. We needed an employee. We had just built our gallery out in the middle of nowhere (50 miles from Naples and 50 miles from Miami), and hadn't finished our house. We hired Tony to run the gallery and keep an eye on 'things'. Unfortunately, when we bought the property we 'inherited' Wild Bill (another story). Since Tony was the only person on the property he was left with the responsibility of "Wild Bill". He took "Wild Bill" under his wings and helped him to stop drinking. Watching Tony work with Bill was watching a person with a true gift of helping people. Eventually, living out in the middle of nowhere got to be a little lonely for Tony and he moved back to Orlando where he eventually became an Art Teacher in a great high school. I am so proud of the fact that he saw the gift he possessed and has chosen to use his life and his gift in working with young people.

The last time we saw Tony he was the same age that Nic, his brother, is now! Soooo...when Nic first walked into the room I thought it was Tony! When I finally got to see Tony I was amazed and pleased with the strong man standing in front of me. Lee must be very proud because all of her kids have turned out so great!

Anyway, back to the wedding...

The wedding took place in a cute small church in Orlando.

Lee coming down the isle

The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom
lit candles together and then returned to their seats.

The bridesmaids walk down the isle.
This is Angelica, Tony's sister.

The Bridesmaids

The bride, Shelby, and her dad

taking their vows

Mr. and Mrs. Fiorentino!

Congratulations!

Bride & Groom wedding reception table

The wedding party making a fun & grand entrance
into the reception area

Angelica, Tony's sister

Nic, Tony's brother

Tony and Shelby

For a symbol of unity between the two families
and all of Tony and Shelby's friends,
everyone had a candle which was lit.

Shelby lighting candles

Tony lighting candles

Clyde, Lee and Char

First dance

Father of the bride saying a few words...

Brother of the groom saying a few words...

Niki, Nic and Lee

Niki, Angelica, Lee

Lee, Shelby,Tony, Clyde, Niki

Shelby and Tony

From Kahlil Gibran

The Almitra spoke again and said, "And what of Marriage, master?"
And he answered saying:
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter our days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping,
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
and the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

We wish you both the best of life and the best that love can give.

-----------------------------------------

and now for a fun ending...
After Clyde and I kissed everyone good-bye Lee walked us out to the parking lot to show us her new pride and joy: