We are so excited to have you virtually join us! Please click on the link below to watch our ceremony live on September 27, 2020 at 3pm (Central Time) https://youtu.be/cZhPxv9ZOek

Outside of the tutoring center at Niles North High School, Chris saw Margaret in the hallway and yelled "Hey Cate!" Margaret said "Uh, no" and walked away. Chris says it was love at first sight. A friendship grew from there. As Chris grew close with Margaret's family and friends, he wiggled his way into her heart. Chris and Margaret began dating in February of 2012 and haven't looked back since!

Chris first came into our lives when he took Margaret to prom in her junior year of high school at Niles North. Shy and respectful, he came to pick up Margaret and we took pictures of the two of them in front of the magnolia tree in the front yard. His crooked smile betrays his unease with the whole prom picture thing. And it was only just beginning, there was so much more waiting for Margaret and Chris.

Imagine knowing and loving someone from age 15-25 (Chris) and 16- 26 (Margaret) and then consider all the growing up you did during those years? They managed all that together while going to college in separate states and living full lives while in school. Not a small accomplishment.

Chris knows the family he is joining. He has sat at our table when we have laughed so hard we all cried and he has been there when we argued intensely or talked politics or big ideas. Through it all, through illness and deaths and celebrations and milestones and even at Big Sand Lake, Chris has stood by Margaret and loved her. Margaret has done the same for Chris. She mentioned the other day that she met Chris’s sister, Katie, when she was 9! I love hearing the stories of Chris’s family, just three blocks away, and their kindness and love of Margaret. Chris’s Italian and Assyrian family made room in their holiday celebrations and traditional menus for our vegetarian and they welcomed her as family.

When Chris had successful open-heart surgery a few years ago, the folks at the hospital wouldn’t let Margaret be considered one of his two “all-access loved ones” and Elisa informed the nurse that Margaret was his person as well as his Mom. What a beautiful gesture that was for our daughter. We really got to know Chris’s family during the surgery. Chris’s Mom, Elisa, his big sister, Elizabeth, and his little sister, Katie were all there that day and we joined them as we waited for the happy news that all was well. Sitting in the waiting room, I was struck by the fact that we were all there because of how much we love Chris.

Here are a few fun facts and coincidences. Margaret’s Grandfather, Jim Wilson, is 93 and the patriarch of our extended family. He understood Chris and Margaret’s relationship long before the rest of us. September 27th would have been my parent’s 62nd wedding anniversary. When Margaret and Chris decided to reschedule, both Margaret and Chris loved the idea of marrying on the same day as Margaret’s Grandad and Nonnie who were married for 54 years. Margaret’s other grandfather, Todd’s Dad, Dwayne Hensley died in January. Todd asked Margaret and Chris if they would like to have Dwayne’s wedding band for Chris, and they both liked the idea. When Chris tried on the ring, it fit perfectly. Margaret will wear her Grandmother’s pearls on her wedding day and she will also have a silver dollar in her shoe that her Nonnie that I and all of her aunts wore in their shoes on their wedding days, “for good luck”. So far, it’s been a true good luck charm. Paula, the officiant, our neighbor, and a treasured friend, became very dear to Margaret and Chris over the last seven years. She is Margaret and Chris’s friend and she has always known them as a couple. Paula’s dog and our dog Daisy are best friends and Chris and Margaret often house and dog sat for her. Paula has the ability to help Chris and Margaret discuss “life stuff” in a way a parent can’t. She’s a friend who can have deeply serious conversations while also being flat out hilarious, which made her the perfect choice to marry them.

This wedding is certainly not conventional and we have experienced such wonderful stories as we all put this event together. During a pandemic, it has been a joy to plan with Chris and Margaret and both families for their long-awaited wedding day. Margaret and Chris have lots of friends that will tune in live for the ceremony. Each one of you is important to them in a unique way. Usually, at a wedding, we would get to meet you, after being introduced by Margaret or Chris or one of your friends, we would hug you or shake your hand and welcome you to the celebration. This wedding is a little different, but our joy at sharing this celebration with you is the same. We love Margaret and Chris and the Hensley and Khoshaba family are so happy to share this day with you. Thanks for being a part of the wedding celebration of Margaret Hensley and Chris Khoshaba.