The Nelsons

Edward and Janel were raised in the same neighborhood of a small town in south shore Long Island. They grew up living only two blocks around the corner from each other without even knowing one another existed. They attended the same schooling system during their youth. From Plaza Elementary School, to middle school, and all the way up to Baldwin Senior High School, not once did they ever converse throughout these crucial years. One early sophmore year morning, Janel was getting picked up for school by her classmate’s mother. She had stated that she was picking up her friend’s children who also attended the high school. They drove around the corner and low and behold two senior year boys climb into the back seat of the Jeep Wrangler. They sandwiched her right in the middle between them. Janel says that Eddie even fell asleep on her shoulder during the short ride but It wasn’t until after Janel graduated from high school that Eddie had noticed her on social media and asked her out on a date. She obviously said yes. He picked her up from her house in his 1994 white Honda Civic, where her mom was absoloutley terrified about where her daughter was going and who she was going to be with. She had even called Janel right after she left to see if she had buckled her seatbelt. Janel and Eddie went on two dates but had decided that the timing wasn’t right for them so they went their separate ways.

Janel and Eddie continued on with their early adult lives. They dated other people, went in and out of jobs, and tried to ultimately tried to find their purpose in life. They were happy but couldn't help but feel like something was missing. Two years after their first date, Eddie was working locally as a dock builder. He posted on Twitter that he had gotten off work early and it was a beautiful day but had no one to accompany him on his boat. Janel, being the determined girl that she is, jumped at the opportunity to see him again. She messaged him and an hour he picked her up for another 'first date'. This was Janel's first time on a boat and had no idea what she was getting herself into. She wore a skirt and moccasins. Despite her terrible outfit choice, they hit it off and have been inseparable ever since.

After many years together, we have decided that it was important to us to uphold our family's traditions and make them our own. We will be getting ready in our family's homes where we grew up, and we will be getting married at the same church Edward's parents had their ceremony 30 years ago. We then will be taking a million photos before celebrating at The Watermill with signature drinks in true Jing & Eddie fashion. We are so excited to celebrate our love & union with everyone.