It all started when my friends Natalie and Jesse decided to move to Florida. I went to the “Goodbye” party for Nat and Jesse, and while I was there Nat decided that Jesse’s friend Aaron and I should talk. My closest friends were moving away and Aaron needed another player for his up and coming Dungeons & Dragons campaign. So after about an hour of discussing Greek mythology and an exchange of phone numbers with tentative promises of a future D&D campaign- we forgot about the whole thing. About a month later I got a text from “Maybe Aaron” asking if I was still interested in joining the Game. I was- and I joined having never played before. At the time of our session zero (for you non-gamers this is when we all meet as a group for the first time to hash out characters and campaign info) I was working as a sales associate and left straight from work to go to Game- “monkey suit” and all. I rolled up to a somewhat strangers house WAY overdressed for the occasion and I left quite the impression. When Andy first saw me he thought I was in the wrong house. Who was this stiff “corporate lawyer” who had walked in? I was obviously nervous. He was pretty sure I wouldn’t come back to start the campaign. It wasn’t until 2 sessions later when I geeked out over “Eyeball Spiders” (it’s exactly what it sounds like) that Andy thought “Ah, she’s weird like the rest of us- there’s hope for her” After that I was slowly incorporated into the weird world of D&D and got to know the man who would eventually become my Husband.
As D&D progressed and I became more comfortable with the group- the more Andy and I gravitated together. Being the only single people in the group- we started hanging out more often. We enjoyed going to try new restaurants. We spent time hanging out at book stores. We just became better and better friends. Pretty soon we had our own inside jokes and banter. Which led to most of our friends making the comment “You two should just date already - you act like an old married couple.” We always shrugged it off and said “Nah we’re just friends” Eventually “just friends” became “ just roommates” Andy bought a Condo and like a “Fool of a Took” he invited me to come live with him. (You should never willingly let the fae move in!)
After moving in together it took us awhile to find our rhythm. Madeline would cook- and Andy would clean. That was the deal. And without fail after every home cooked meal Andy would ask “So, you want a fall wedding right?” Every-time I’d laugh and say “I’m never getting Married” (never say never!) It wasn’t until one November after making Gumbo, Andy asked (for like the 100th time) “So, You want a fall wedding?” And I said “You know… that’s not a bad idea” Andy choked on the Gumbo and after some disbelief and discussion - A fall wedding started to be planned. We would like to Thank You all for coming along for this wild ride and we hope you enjoy our Fall Wedding.
Jorge Andris Reardon. Also called “Andy”, “DeeDee”, & “Linda” Andy likes to collect names. Which has lead to some hilarious mix ups. Andy is after all just one person but in high-school he was mistaken for 3 brothers “George, Jorge, and Andy” by school staff. All 3 identical but separate students. It wasn’t until his Grandfather was called into the office to be told the 3 boys would not be graduating (due to lack of credits) that the confusion was sorted (and his credits too! He did graduate!) It hasn’t gotten any easier for anyone to keep track of his names even now. Maddi has a habit of giving people nicknames. After several weeks of asking him to “Listen Linda” (if you’ve seen the old vine you will get the reference) His name became “Linda” and it just stuck. Maddi is however responsible for the following Mix Up: I had joined a group of friends and coworkers in yet another D&D campaign. One night I made the announcement that “Linda” and I were engaged. My wonderful friends were looking forward to meeting “Linda” who was now being invited to play with our group. Andy and I rolled up to the next session together where I introduced Andy to our DM Wes, and fellow campaign members Grace, and Silver. They were all very kind and slightly confused. Why was Maddi’s roommate here? Where was this “Linda” she was engaged to? Eventually Wes asked. “So where is Linda?” At which point I gestured to Andy and said “Right here?” It then dawned on me that I had never explained in the about 2 years of knowing Wes, Grace, & Silver - that “Andy” & “Linda” were the same person. This whole time they had heard about my roommate Andy - and the shenanigans of “Linda” and I never bothered to let them know that it was the same person the whole time. So if you are confused at any point during the reception don’t worry you probably aren’t alone - just ask for Linda Andy Jorge ;)