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Renee Smith

and

Aleutian Calabay

Renee Smith

and

Aleutian Calabay

September 29, 2024

Minneapolis, MN

How We Met-Told from Renee's POV

Fall 2013

Renee was hanging out with friends at Uptown divebar, The CC Club, when Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody came on from the jukebox (yes there's a jukebox). It wasn't until the part that goes "I see a little silhouetto of a man, scaramouche, scaramouche . . ." that Renee did in fact see a silhouetto of quite a tall man, doing some fantastical dancing with much arm waving, in what appeared to be in her general direction. Renee leaned over to whisper to her friend, "Is that guy dancing at us?" simultaneously realizing that that guy was very clearly dancing at her. After the song ended, the tall guy in question came over, saying he wanted to apologize for dancing so strangely at her. At this point, she realized not only was he very tall but he was also really cute. Tall guy says his name is Aleutian (like the islands) and then asks her, "So what do you do?" She hates this question and asks for clarification, "What do you mean? Like for work or for fun?" Without missing a beat (perhaps this line has been used before? also pun not intended), Aleutian says, "Oh well, I'm a tap dancer!" Renee is not that impressed, as she quickly replies with full confidence, "Me too!" Now, what Renee doesn't know at this point is that what Aleutian means is that he is an actual, professional tap dancer (who knew they existed?) while she merely "can tap". Aleutian then asks her to prove that she is a tap dancer. Does she know how to do a Buffalo? Duh, of course, she does, she just said she's also a tap dancer. Renee then performs a couple of Buffalos in the CC Club. Aleutian seems satisfied by this and continues chatting her up when a much shorter guy appears, glaring at Aleutian and gets Renee's attention. As it turns out, Renee wasn't just at the CC Club hanging with friends, she was also waiting to be picked up for a date and now he's arrived! Aleutian has 0.2 seconds to get her number before she leaves with the interloper but fails to do so. Renee reluctantly leaves with her date only knowing Aleutian's name. But she can't stop thinking about the tall, cute tap dancer and so she turns to the only place with any hope of finding him, FaceBook! She types his name into the search, hoping he has a FaceBook profile, and that it's public and that there aren't too many results to comb through when lo and behold only a single result is returned! As it turns out, Aleutian Calabay is one of a kind. Renee immediately sends him a message, saying she's the one from the CC Club that performed Buffalo's to prove her tap skills and hopes they may see each other again in a dance class sometime. Luckily, Aleutian takes the hint and asks her on a date, they decide to return to the place where it all began, at the CC Club. 11 years later . . . We're getting married!

RSVP

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If you're responding for you and a guest (or your family), you'll be able to RSVP for your entire group on the next page.

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Schedule

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Reception

5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Theodore Wirth Chalet
1301 Theodore Wirth Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55422

Party, Casual

We invite you to party it up with us at our wedding reception! Dinner will be served buffet style. Please indicate on your RSVP if you prefer a vegetarian meal.

Registry

Your presence is gift enough, but if you're feeling particularly generous, there are a few things we would love.

Wedding Party

Renee J Smith

Bride

Aleutian B Calabay

Groom

Avery Brooks

Flower Girl

Renee's Niece

Samantha Brooks

Flower Girl

Renee's Niece

Travel

Flight

MSP International Airport

Travel Note

Minneapolis

While Renee and Aleutian will hopefully be in their new home in St. Paul in September, we recommended finding accommodations near downtown Minneapolis to be closest to the wedding venue. Mill City is a cool area to stay, it is on the Mississippi River and across the bridge from St. Anthony Main.

Things To Do and Places to Eat

Minneapolis Institute of Art

2400 3rd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404

Exceptional art museum, something for everybody and Free!

Walker Art Center

725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Modern art museum, not free but the surrounding sculpture garden is and you can see the iconic Cherry and Spoon sculpture

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318

A little ways outside the city but lots of nature and gardens to see. There's also a scenic driving route.

Lake Bde Maka Ska

3130 West Bde Maka Ska Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55416

Minnesota has 10,000 lakes, why not enjoy one? Bde Maka Ska is a big lake in Uptown Minneapolis, great for walking or taking a picnic.

Surdyk's Liquor & Cheese Shop

303 East Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55414

The cheese shop has a great little deli counter with yummy pasta salads and delightful sandwiches. Our favorite is the Minneapple Melt. Also, check out Sidebar at Surdyk's, the connected bar and brasserie.

Young Joni

165 13th Avenue Northeast, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Hip spot in NE Minneapolis, primarily serving woodfired pizzas (the Parisian is one of our faves). Reservations are recommended for dinner but sometimes you can get a walk-in at the bar by the big oven. On the pricier side but super good, featured on Netflix's Chef's Table: Pizza.

Victor's 1959 Cafe

3756 Grand Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55409

One of our favorite cafes! It's very tiny on the inside so sometimes there can be a line outside during peak times. If the weather's nice, sitting outside is best. Upgrade to Cuban toast and guava jam (to my Floridians, the guava jam is a little taste of home).

Isles Bun & Coffee

1424 West 28th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408

BEST CINNAMON BUNS EVER!!! Seriously, just wait in line, it's totally worth it.

Stillwater, MN

Stillwater, MN 55082

About 25 minutes from the city, cute little town on the St Croix River. Lots of little shops and walking around.

Coffee Shops

Minneapolis has so many good coffee shops, literally like every couple of blocks in the city you can find excellent coffee. Top picks are Mojo Coffee Gallery, The Get Down, Dogwood Coffee (NE location), Backstory Coffee (North Loop). I could go on and on . . .

Brasa Premium Rotisserie- Northeast Minneapolis

600 East Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55414

This is one of our all time favorite spots! Easy, laid back for lunch or dinner, good prices. Aleutian loves the chilaquiles and plantains, Renee gets the smothered chicken with yellow rice and red beans, don't forget the yucca frita.

NYE 2013
BWCA
LACMA event in LA, 2018
LA, 2019
Yosemite, 2018
2016
Outside Renee's mom's house, 2015
"fishing" in the BWCA, 2016
For all the days along the way
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