It's Finally Time

About us? Well, we both went to Daemen College together and Angela was a year ahead in her program. Ironically, we both even lived in the same on-campus building for three years and had an overlapping group of friends. Graduating together in 2006, Angela with her Masters in Education, and myself with a BFA in Graphic Design, we went our separate ways. We lost touch after school but were friends in our group from Daemen. We saw each other at occasional events, but in the summer of 2010 in particular, I noticed her a bit more and we started talking more. In September, I asked Angela to go to a movie for her birthday – "as friends" – just us. We saw 'Eat Pray Love.' – I know what you may be thinking, if you're familiar with the title, it's not the best film to bolster romance. More depressing than anything really, but mind you, this wasn't meant to be a date (Angela will attest that it was, but I still don't think it counted). After that, we started seeing more of one another and hanging out together. It didn't take long for her to fall for my charm (rolling her eyes) and we made it official by October. Once bitten and twice shy after my divorce a year prior, I wasn't in a rush for a super serious relationship. Little did I know that as each month went by, then after moving in together, each year, it became easier and easier to see this lasting, and my own love and admiration growing. Poor Angela waiting all along for me to catch up, even though I wanted to, it was just difficult to know when the right time would be for me. Finally to Angela's surprise (and probably all hope lost), I proposed on December 23, 2018. The rest is history, but even though it took so long for me to come around, we look forward to spending our lives together, even after a 2-year engagement (I think I can hear Angela sighing). Join us in celebrating our special day, and to those who pushed and prodded through the years for me to commit, thank you.

In April of 2020, in the wake of COVID-19, we made the difficult and heart-breaking decision to postpone our 6/19/2020 wedding celebration, knowing in our hearts that it was the right thing to do for the safety of our loved ones. Still, we were disappointed to push our "ten years in the making" into year eleven. The world was full of so much uncertainty at that time, but the one thing we knew for sure was that there was no one else either of us would want by our side through it all. And hey - if we could survive quarantine and working remotely in a newly purchased mid-way-renovated not-so-perfect home together, I'm pretty sure we could survive just about anything together! When New York State allowed our parish to re-open for Sunday masses, there was no hesitation in our decision to approach our priest about getting married as soon as possible! On the super warm and beautiful late afternoon of Friday, August 14th, 2020, in a private ceremony with our immediate family and wedding party, we finally became Mr. & Mrs. Downey! We were the first couple married during COVID at Holy Spirit Church in North Buffalo. Facebook Live and Facetime helped to assure that those we love that couldn't be there could still be a part of some of our magical moments. Our wedding party helped to make our day complete with cupcakes on the steps of our church - and even some tin cans to rattle behind our pickup truck as we drove off! It was nothing like the day we had imagined, but for us it was absolutely perfect!

After not one but TWO postponements on our "wedding" date, we are thrilled to see the world getting back to some semblance of "normal!" We are beyond grateful for our amazing venue owner Kane and his patience and flexibility through all of our changes over the past year and for helping us find a fall date that, "according to the Farmer's Almanac (thanks for checking, Kane!) WILL be absolutely beautiful! We are also thrilled that the pieces all fell into place and our original photographer, DJ, and baker were along for the ride and able to re-book with us! Please plan to join us for a renewal of vows (with our full wedding party!) and reception on Saturday, October 9th, 2021! We hope you're ready to celebrate with us, because we are beyond ready to celebrate with you!!!!!