Wedding Party
Tom Grossman
Groom
I was born in Albuquerque in 1955. I graduated in 1973. In August 1974, I met Maxine on a blind date. Love at first sight. We got married July 30, 1976. Our relationship flourished. Cake decorator Maxine and science teacher Tom. Gary was born in 1980. Andy in 1982. We moved to Colorado Springs in 1990. The boys married amazing women, Korri and Mara. Granddaughter Jameson and grandson Finn were added to our family. January 2019 brought Maxine's ovarian cancer diagnosis. I became her caregiver. She lost the battle in August 2021 here at the house. Maxine and I had time to talk about the end of her life and the continuation of mine. We knew I loved being married. She wanted me to find love again and live out my life in happiness in this little house she and I had moved into in 2018. Deciding that 2022 would be a year of discovery and adventure for me, I took the plunge into on line dating January 7. In less than 24 hours, I was messaged by this 59 yo widowed RN. We started talking and spending time together. We attended a grief support group together and helped each other move forward in our journeys. We traveled together and built a wonderful relationship. I feel so fortunate and blessed to have found love again. Sarah and I have so much in common. We work and play hard together. So much laughter! She's more than I ever hoped for. Our wedding will be the official start to the rest of our lives together. Come share our day!
Sarah ShARP
Bride
Colorado has been home since 1972 when my Dad got stationed at the USAFA- minus college in California. However, the mountains and my family called me back to the Springs. I've worked as an RN for 38 years. In 1996 then in 2001 Eman then Isaac joined our family. My sons; pictured below from last July, are my greatest treasures. In early 2020 I met another treasure-my future husband Rick. We had a wonderful year together and were planning our future. Rick was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) in May of 21. He battled for 6 months then left us decades too soon on November 5th. After he died I pictured my future as a blank white canvass. My mantra became "Why not?" You see, after losing a loved one, the world looks different and, at least for me, I felt that I had nothing left to lose by grabbing hold of life again. I couldn't quite believe that Tom's profile appeared in my search; smart, funny, liberal, sciency widower. There he was! Over the last 15 months we've had many mountaintop experiences as we've discovered and adventured. We've also had our share of valley moments because we're at a certain age and we're human. We've heard "Wow-that was fast!" And to that we say "We know!! Can you believe it?? Aren't we lucky!!" I'm madly in love with Tom and over the moon that I have such found a wonderful man to be my husband and partner for the rest of my life. We can't wait for you to share in our wedding and hopefully our future for many, many years to come.
Rob Schmitt
Best Man
I've known Rob for about 20 years. He came to an airbrush class I was teaching at StarFest in Denver. (Moment of silence for StarFest.) Ran into him in town and started seeing him at model club meetings. He thought I was somebody else at first. We started hanging out together anyway. I've seen his model building and airbrushing go from a pebbly finish Air Lingus DC-3 to award winning builds with perfect paint jobs. I invited him to come demonstrate at the Iwata tables at iHobby. That was the first of many shows together. We've had some great adventures over the years. He's second in command at our booths. Not only has Rob been a great modeling pal, he's also become a brother to me. Maxine and I had lots of fun times with he and his wife, Jenny. We're part of each other's families, too. Rob's always been there for me. From running the booth to being there for the worst. I'm very fortunate to have him in my life. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have stand with me at this meanigful event.
Cathie Bower
Best Woman
Cathie and I have been friends for 52 years! FIFTY-TWO YEARS! We met in 3rd grade at Douglas Valley Elementary School on the Air Force Academy. Our father's were both professors at the AFA. We have been friends ever since; through our college years, marriages, parenting and everything that comes with 52 years! Oh, the stories we could tell. Yet the ones I will tell are of a best friend who has been there for me for decades through thick and thin. I love her and her children (adults) Cody and Jessica dearly. She is smart, beautiful, hard working, loyal, generous, fun, creative and so much more. This past summer Tom and I got to visit Cathie and her family at her home in Cedar Springs Michigan then several days in the Upper Peninsula-the UP. We had so much fun!! We spent a day on Mackinaw Island, did a sunken ship boat tour on Lake Superior, visited a few of the dozens of waterfalls in the area, kayaked and had great food and company at an amazing rental cabin in the north woods. I am overjoyed that she accepted my request to be my best woman. She and her husband Mac will be traveling to Colorado Springs for the wedding festivities. I cant wait for you to meet my most amazing Best Woman!
Karen Vogel
Officiant
In 1976, Maxine got a job as a cake decorator at the Ritz Bakery in Albuquerque. Her mentor was Gary Cline. We all hit it off as friends and kept in touch over the decades. Gary and I would go play racquetball in the outdoor courts at the UNM Tennis Center. Solar ovens! At one time, Gary owned the Chocolate Cafe and Bakery. We ate there a lot when we were down for a visit. Gary hosted Maxine's art in the Cafe several times. Gary met Karen Vogel on line. He moved up to Colorado Springs to live with her. Maxine and Karen hit it off big time. Rock hound, spiritual, fairy loving, hippie Karen spoke Maxine's language. Her career as an RN gave she and I a common language as well. We spent a day making chocolates in several Decembers. Sarah here. I've known Karen since 2006. We are both RNs and worked together at Penrose Community Hospital. We then both helped to move our unit to the brand new St. Francis Medical Center in 2008. We were nursing colleagues first and became good friends. We've been through a lot together professionally and personally. When I met Tom online, he quickly directed me to his Facebook page. We had one friend in common; Karen! When I saw that, I knew Tom was ok. We both love Karen's joie de vivre, her love of Mother Earth and all her treasures. It's been really fun for the 4 of us: Karen, Gary, me, and Tom to get together over the last year. We're thrilled that Karen will be our Officiant! We know you will be moved by her presence among us.