The Bears’ Wedding

1- it is a Celtic tradition to get married on October 31st. 2-In October 2014 Brett kept messaging Mary saying “come watch Hocus Pocus in my parents' basement.” After several attempts, Mary agreed to go on a date with Brett. Instead of watching Hocus Pocus (Mary saying she didn’t like scary movies) Brett took Mary on a cemetery adventure and then to Shaker’s, the haunted Al Capone bar. Despite being unconventional it was a perfect, Halloween-appropriate first date. 3-After the passing of Martha, Mary along with other family members now find 13s and 31s to hold a special meaning. October will be the only month Mary and Brett are both 31 years old at the same time. The 31 symbolism along with idea that the spirits can come celebrate during this historical All Hallow’s Eve/Dia De Los Muertos weekend made Halloween an ideal wedding date. 4- There will be a rare, blue, full moon in the sky, making for 13 instead of 12 full moons in 2020. This moon is called the “Grandmother Moon.”

Brett, knowing Mary was very close with her grandma (Edna), asked Mary’s father (Steve) if there were any heirloom rings in the family. Unfortunately, there were no heirloom rings left. Steve told Brett he knew what Edna’s ring looked like, and the two of them set out to find a ring for Mary. They eventually found a ring that was similar to Edna's at a local antique store. The ring was from the 1940's and was from an old woman's estate sale (so it was from somebody's Grandma)! Brett, also knowing Mary would want a low key proposal, surprised Mary with the ring at midnight on her birthday. Ernie had it attached to his collar, and he and Pip walked it over to Mary. Brett had randomly paused a movie on the TV at 11:31, which felt like a sign that Martha was also celebrating Mary’s birthday and engagement.

First, the venue needs to allow pups, the Urban Ecology Center (UEC) with the adjacent Riverside Park wedding ceremony area does! Secondly, Brett and Mary both love walking Ernie (and loved walking Pip) through Riverside Park and the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum. It’s a little paradise just blocks from Mary and Brett’s home. Next, Brett loves the UEC because he loves all things “animals”and the UEC teaches the community a lot about nature and animals. While Mary loves the UEC because generations of Johnsons grew up playing sports, learning, and picnicing at Riverside Park/UEC. Martha even took rock climbing classes there. Also, both Mary and Brett appreciate that the UEC is a nonprofit, so all the money spent on the venue will go back into the park, arboretum and community classes. Everything in the space is ecofriendly or recycled materials, so it’s beautiful and good for the environment! Lastly, what was best of all, after booking the space, Mary’s father randomly spotted Mary’s grandmother’s name, Edna Strom Johnson, on a wall of benefactors. Edna was and still is always guiding Mary. Unfortunately, due to coronavirus the UEC cancelled the reception which is why Mary and Brett will have an anniversary party come October 2021!