Tis the season to be married!

Both being from Billerica, Stephen & Heather had a lot of times that they could have met earlier, but didn't! Their childhood homes are within 3 minutes driving from each other, but Heather lived two houses up a street that made them go to different elementary and middle schools. Growing up, Stephen played the viola and Heather played the violin. When their school orchestras would join together they knew of each other (well, everyone knew Heather as the girl with the blue violin), but again weren't in a situation to really meet each other. Stephen was the class of 2009 at BMHS and Heather the class of 2010. They COULD have met in orchestra, but Heather decided she didn't want to play in high school. In the Spring 2007 production of Oliver! Heather worked stage crew and Stephen was in the lighting booth, but both were in their own friendship circles and just didn't happen to meet. It wasn't until Spring 2008's production of Once on this Island, when Stephen was in the BMHS auditorium, talking about sheet music, and asked if anyone had the Hairspray sheet music book he could borrow. Heather, not one to shy away from being helpful, immediately yelled across the theater that she had the movie version, and it's with that one book that their journey began.

It was Senior year for Stephen & Junior year for Heather at Billerica Memorial High School. After over a year of friendship, both of us experiencing our first heart break in other relationships, and quite a bit of flirty back and forth banter, Stephen asked Heather to give him a chance and be his girlfriend. Heather had time and time again said that they were just friends, but after consulting her friend Jess at the time, she had told Heather to give it a shot. Heather accepted, and when she excitedly told Jess that she felt happy about it, had butterflies, and was excited that she now was in a relationship (oh high school) , Jess quickly exclaimed that she thought it was for a DATE and not for a relationship! But all it took was the first kiss when dropping Heather off from school to know that the two of them were something special, and the journey began!

Well friends, as most of you know, the first 4 years of the Stephen & Heather story were QUITE a roller coaster with twists and turns, laughter and tears, some commitment issues (cough, Stephen, cough) but always friendship at the core. Heather invited Stephen to accompany her to her father's surprise 50th birthday at her aunt & uncle's home away from home. Coincidentally, that summer Heather's first niece Keira was born, and after multiple times of telling Stephen how adorable she is and how he has to meet her, this weekend would be the first opportunity. All it took was five minutes with the adorable four month old Keira, who totally could have passed for their kid at the time, and he could see what life looked like with Heather, and he knew that that was what he wanted more than anything else, and they've been happily together ever since.

Anyone that knows the couple knows that there's nothing they love more around the holiday season then putting up the Christmas Lights and driving around towns to see other displays. The year was a busy one for the two, jam packed with events, so they were excited to have a night to do whatever they wanted. Heather was experimenting with new makeup from Santa when Stephen asked if she wanted to go see the lights at the La Salette Shrine in Attleboro, MA. They had seen the lights once before and were excited to check it out again. Unfortunately, it was pouring out, so the place was empty. Heather had no idea what was in store for the evening, having made comments about murderers being afoot because it was so quiet, and wanting to bail but Stephen encouraging her onward. As they arrived to the center of the pond under a beautiful display of lights, Stephen gave Heather the first of two gifts. He gave her a bracelet with the coordinates of the BMHS auditorium (one for each of us), and spoke of their first meeting and their hectic journey that has gotten them to this point. It continued to rain, and Stephen was scared of getting his next gift wet (Heather thinking it was a card, Stephen freaking out because he didn't want to mess up the shiny goods!), so the pair walked hand in hand to Jeeves (the loving nickname of Stephen's Ford Explorer). Stephen continued his beautiful sentiment, but was staring STRAIGHT OUT THE DASH! Heather, freaking out, was asking him what was wrong and why he wouldn't look at her. It was during this that Stephen took out the ring and popped the question, to which Heather of course said YES! And this moment was perfect for the pair, because 10 years ago on the exact date the two went to view lights and Stephen asked Heather to take him back (for the first time) in the car while onlooking beautiful lights. When the rain let up the two excitedly went back to the spot to capture the moment and then started to share the happy news!

Stephen & Heather are so excited to share their vows in front of their loved ones on December 19, 2020. Winter 'tis the season to be merry & married and there is nothing but overwhelming love and joy as the day gets closer. They are ready to join as husband and wife and excited to establish the Rotondi family with their sweet cat Lucas and live happily ever after wherever life takes them!