table names
;)
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Where we first lived together, got engaged, and learned a little Polish. It’s an ugly, treeless, toxic oil spill site where we lived together happily in a tenement apartment for five years. Home to delicious restaurants, the perfect fireworks viewing spot, and a rapidly expanding number of trendy boutiques and bars – it’s one of our favorite places.
Los Angeles, CA
Aaron’s mom grew up in a big old house here. And where over homebrewed beer at one cousin’s wedding and good red wine at another’s, Madeline got to know Aaron’s west coast family. When she started getting facebook relative requests from his cousins, she knew she was in.
Brown Line
Aaron remembers that one day he went out of his way to take this train with Madeline after school when they were 14. He remembers that she argued passionately about something and after the ride he was completely smitten. Madeline has no recollection of this trip.
Bennington, VT
Because we were true New Yorkers for a few years, one fall we rented a car and drove to a bed and breakfast in this small Vermont town to see the changing leaves. The town was trying to break a world record for the number of jack-o-lanterns in one place, but it rained and they fell far short. It was still quite a sight though.
Edgewater
When we moved back to Chicago from NYC we chose to live in the densest neighborhood in the city to ease our transition. We passed summer afternoons drinking Aaron’s homemade daiquiris on the beach just blocks from our apartment. This is our home base for rediscovering Chicago and making it feel like home again.
Jersey City, NJ
Where Aaron lived in a big old house with roommates from Craigslist. Madeline was visiting from Missouri for a Valentine’s Day weekend when a blizzard hit. The airports were closed, Madeline missed a midterm exam, and we were snowed in for days. We didn’t mind.
Columbia, MO
Full of organic food, indie films, and giant house parties, Madeline made a home here in a big old house with her six best girlfriends. Somehow while dating long distance between NYC and MO it happened that Aaron came to her a lot more than she visited him. Though he appreciates its charm, part of Aaron wished she picked a more exciting city for college.
Rogers Park
Where Aaron grew up. Our first summer back from college Madeline showed up at a party Aaron threw at his parents’ house while they were out of town (which they still might not know about). We reconnected and started dating.
South Shore Cultural Center
Where we got married. Anecdotes to follow.
Greenwich Village
This New York City neighborhood is home to so many important things. Aaron’s college and graduate school, Madeline’s office, oyster happy hour, and a taping of “Sex in the City” that Madeline happened upon one afternoon. It’s where we enjoyed many lazy Sunday afternoons.
Madrid, Spain
Our relationship began and blossomed while dating long distance, Aaron in New York and Madeline in Missouri. But when Aaron studied for a semester in Madrid the distance quadrupled. We couldn’t talk on the phone as often or visit as frequently, but even then the relationship stayed strong. And Madeline got to sneak in another vacation to Spain.
Ravenswood Manor
Madeline moved to this Chicago neighborhood with her family in 3rd grade. It’s where, at age 14, we first admitted we “like” each other. It’s also, incidentally, where former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich lives.
Thai Café
Where we ate probably once each week for the five years we lived in Brooklyn. Madeline always loyally ordered Spicy Noodle or Peanut Curry and Aaron always graciously pretended to enjoy the free banana dessert they always brought us.
Cold Spring, NY
A daytrip from New York to this town in the Hudson Valley where Madeline tolerated the hiking long enough to earn some time at the antique shops. It helped us learn that harmonious relationships are all about compromise.
Jackson, Michigan
When we moved to Chicago and were both jobless, we learned Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Wedding Week tryouts were being held in Detroit. We paired a visit to Madeline’s grandparents’ in nearby Jackson with the tryout. We passed the trivia quiz and did a screen test, but didn’t make it on TV. Maybe we aren’t camera ready, but we think our quiz scores were just too high.
Pulaski Bridge
This ½ mile bridge over a canal and an expressway connects Brooklyn and Queens. We walked it many times daily. The western view was the best view of the Manhattan skyline. Twice a year the sunset lines up precisely with the street grid. The phenomenon of the sun poking perfectly between the buildings is called Manhattanhenge and this is the best place to see it.
San Francisco, CA
Where we went on our first vacation together. We saw a movie at a film festival, did a few tourist things, but mostly just walked and talked for the entire weekend. It’s where Madeline learned that while Aaron loves taking photographs, he only seems to shoot landscapes, buildings, and uncomfortably close portraits of her face.
Whitney Young
Where we went to school together starting in 7th grade. Madeline studied hard, got elected to the school board, and headed several school clubs–while Aaron took... a different path.We built a friendship during arguments about democracy and inequality. And where, on the lawn outside school one day, a friend predicted that we would end up getting married one day.