© 2 0 1 1 A n t h o l o g i e , LL C w w w. t h e a n t h o l o g i e . c o m P r i n t e d i n t h e U n i t e d S t at e s o f A m e r i ca
T h e W e d d i n g S to ry o f
Sally and Chris
M o n d a y, t h e F i r s t o f F e b r ua r y T w o T h o usa n d a n d T e n
B e ac h e s , S a n d y Ba y N e g r i l , J a m a i ca
Photography by Dan Iverson
C h ap t e r 1
Team players A competitive spirit resonates with Sally and Chris By Dan Iverson
S
ome might expect they were brought together after
Despite his imposing exterior, Chris is gregarious and has no
an arduous battle — each the other’s prize for a
problems making friends.
challenging victory.
But as is the case with many of the best things in life, it
came about in an unexpected fashion. Fierce competitors, Sally Kern and Chris Homuth are the
In fact, with years spent as an Amy medic in the late 1990s, Chris developed an impressive web of associates. He utilized the social networking website, MySpace, to keep in touch with those around the country.
figure of physical fitness, outspoken and charismatic, hardly
“ ... I know people in probably 30 of the 50 states,” he said.
the stereotypical lot you’d imagine trolling the internet for
Even with his deft handling of the social scene, Chris
companions. However, that’s exactly the way the perfectly content worlds of Sally and Chris collided in July 2007 - in a seemingly ordinary internet social search. Chris, then 29, had recently moved to Minnesota for work
longed to engage with more people closer to his new home who shared his interests. “I just got burned out going to work, coming home, and working out,” Chris recalled. To get linked in with his peers, Chris once again utilized
from his hometown of West Bend, Wis. It was his second
MySpace, using the website’s search engine like a fine-tooth
time making a new home in the suburbs of Minneapolis. He
comb to find nearby kindred spirits.
began as a sales representative for Mobile Mini — a company
Upon his first query, the face of Sally Kern — practically
specializing in secure, portable storage containers — and had
a neighbor — flickered onto Chris’ computer monitor, her
moved his way up to branch manager.
warm smile drawing him in. A cursory scan of her personality
After settling into his new position for the Farmington,
profile revealed Sally enjoyed a good thrashing of her
Minn., branch, Chris exercised his inherent people skills and
opponents on the volleyball court as much as Chris did. Little
the corps of individuals he’d met while previously living in
did he know this foray into the cyber world would soon have
the state to quickly connect with acquaintances in the area.
a dramatic impact on his real life.
When Chris met Sally Sally moved to Burnsville from her hometown of Lester Prairie, Minn. after high school to attend Dakota County Technical College. After graduating with an associate’s of science degree in interior design, Sally nestled into her new home. She loved being closer to the Twin Cities and was equally adept as Chris at making new friends. Like Chris, Sally, then 26, applied a high level of
The two exchanged occasional e-mails, but despite their proximity to one another, made no plans of actually meeting each other face-to-face. It seemed for both like just
nonchalance to finding a match on the internet. She, too, was
another “friend” to add to their online battery of connections
away from home but well at ease with her new surroundings
until Chris gave out his number to Sally along with an open
when Chris’ first playful nudge came into her MySpace inbox.
invitation for her to hang out with him and some of his
The message to Sally was legitimately seeking of
friends. Sally initially balked at the notion.
friendship, however, undertones of something more were
“I thought it seemed desperate,” she said.
already in motion. Chris subtly made note of Sally’s attractive
After about a month and a half of sporadic
personality and physical features. “She just had this really cute smile,” Chris said later. “She
communications, Chris called out Sally in an e-mail reminding her that she was supposed to call him. Sally
seemed like she was really competitive and fun — she just
followed up to say she had limited access to a computer and
had that aura about her.”
was actually going to the public library to retrieve her online
Sally, in turn, browsed through Chris’ online profile and
messages. In private, she’d sought the advice of friends who
scanned through a few of his photos. She wasn’t interested
convinced her going out with someone she’d met online was
in dating someone she’d met on the internet but had to admit
no different than someone she’d met in a bar.
she was also attracted and could sense his personality coming through the screen. “I thought he was really cute ... The bald head really did it for me,” Sally said, followed by her powerful laugh. “He had that confident look. He was a big guy and could protect me. He had a great smile and always looked happy.”
“What did I have to loose,” she said. The next day, she made her move and called Chris, not knowing only 30 seconds earlier he had hit the “send” button on a response to her e-mail. “It worked!” Chris joked with his friends sitting nearby. A first date was set.
It all started with one sentence. Chris reached out to Sally online through the social networking website, MySpace. He broke the ice with a simple compliment: “The smile stopped me ... so I had to say hi!” A playful backand-forth conversation ensued. It worked! After Chris hadn’t heard from Sally in some time, he sent out a quick message (above) asking for her to give him an overdue phone call. About 30 seconds after he sent the message Sally called, only she had yet to receive the message. “It worked!” Chris told a friend.
A sign of things to come
On Oct. 12, 2007, Chris and Sally had their first date at
Chianti Grill on Sept. 24, 2008, close to the anniversary of
Chianti Grill, an Italian restaurant only a stone’s throw from
their first date. Knowing they hadn’t dined at the restaurant
both of their houses. The conversation was easy and went
since that initial meeting, Sally was dialed in to the romantic
deeper than the usual get-to-know-you chitchat they had both
implications of the event, but Chris kept her in suspense,
expected.
waiting until they had walked home to make his move.
Their personalities jelled
Chris, a traditionalist in
and both were reaffirmed
matters of the heart, had
each other’s active lifestyles
asked Sally’s father for her
weren’t just facades put up
hand in marriage. He got
in cyberspace. Both loved
down on one knee and said:
volleyball, golf and were
“ ... I think it’s appropriate
active at the gym. They even
that we went to the same
liked the same music and
place where we had our
movies.
first date tonight. ... I think
The date could have easily
it’s time for us to take our
ended at dinner but both felt
relationship to the next
compelled to keep the evening
level.”
going and moved to Prime
Sally was instantly
Time Sports Bar for some drinks and, of course, some healthy competition. The couple’s
nodding yes and crying before Chris even had time to present her with the ring.
tone savors of lighthearted combatants when they recount the meeting. “I totally kicked your butt in darts,” Sally boasted.
Destination, Jamaica
After the glow of becoming engaged subdued long
“Well, I crushed you in pool,” Chris asserted.
enough for Sally and Chris to think, they began plotting
The courtship continued and Chris moved in with Sally
the perfect setting to exchange vows. They both decided an
the next spring. Chris, who has a son from a previous
unconventional wedding with close family and friends would
relationship, said he knew he wanted to spend the rest of
suit them best.
his life with Sally when she cooked a hearty meal of stuffed manicotti for father and son. “That pretty much sealed the deal for me,” he said.
They chose Beaches Sandy Bay, an idyllic resort on the most tranquil section of Jamaica’s Seven-Mile Beach. With plenty of activities, including snorkeling, kayaking and windsurfing at their disposal, it’s no wonder this adventurous
Proper proposal
Within a few months of sharing a home with Sally, Chris had already bought an engagement ring and was ready to
couple will bring their families together at this exciting setting. “I always dreamed of an outdoor wedding,
propose -- originally thinking he would pop the question in
and wanted it to be on a beach,” Sally said.
front of an audience at a Rascal Flats concert (one of their
“But I never thought it would come true.”
favorite bands), but unfortunately, his plot was foiled after
Fortunately, Sally’s and Chris’ competitive nature brings out
bragging about the ploy to friends over Labor Day weekend.
the best of one another and they were able to make what seemed
Sally was keen on having Chris on bended knee.
impossible, possible. The couple was married Feb. 1, 2010, on
Chris improvised and opted instead for a return visit to
the beach in Negril, Jamaica — Sally’s dream came true.
The Ticket to a new life. Chris had originally planned to propose to Sally at a Rascal Flats concert (ticket inset) in October 2008. However, he changed his mind after his friends leaked the news. Instead, Chris surprised Sally by popping the question a bit earlier at Chianti Grill, the site of the couple’s first date.
‘That pretty much sealed the deal for me.’
— Chris
On his decision to propose to Sally after she cooked a tasty meal for Chris and his son, Jayden.
Birthday bliss. Through a birthday card (above), Chris tells Sally just how important she is in his life. Sealed with a kiss. Chris and Sally pose for engagement photographs Sept. 19, 2009, at U-More Park in Rosemount, MN.
The shape of things to come. Almost one year until their wedding date, and Sally was already counting down the days until she and Chris would officially become husband and wife. She proudly calls Chris “fiancé” in her 2009 Valentine’s Day card (above).
C h ap t e r 2
Jamaica
Tropical touches. The night before their wedding day, Sally and Chris presented their friends and family with personalized gifts to commemorate the event and the location.
February 1, 2010. The wedding day begins for Sally with a trip to the spa boutique on the grounds at Beaches Sandy Bay, Negril, Jamaica.
Sally Reacts after receiving her gift of “something old,” a bonnet given to her parents at Sally’s birth by David and Erma Steinle. The stitches were removed to become a bridal handkerchief.
Sally Receives final preparations from her mother, Barb, and friends, Teri DiBenedetto and Alicia Heimerl before heading out for her first moment with Chris.
C hapt e r 3
A stunning moment. Chris reacts to seeing Sally for the first time in her wedding dress. The couple met in a walkway between their hotel rooms (Sally had been rooming with her parents at the resort) to pose for their wedding photographs.
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A sneak peak. Handkerchief in hand, Sally (opposite page) catches a glimpse of the freshly manicured beach-front ceremony site just minutes before walking down the aisle. Places Set. The gazebo (top) is prepped for Sally and her father to walk through to commence the wedding ceremony. The resort courtyard (above) is also readied for Sally’s and Chris’ reception.
Down the Aisle. Sally is all smiles as her father, Cliff, walks her out to the beach site where Chris was patiently waiting for her arrival.
Nuptial traditions. Sally places a ring on Chris’ finger, symbolizing her unending love for him. The ceremony also featured a local convention of the bride and groom kissing each other’s hands.
C hapt e r 5
Friends and Family of Sally and Chris pose for photographs following the couple’s beach-side nuptials. Pictured (from left) Rick and Alicia Heimerl, Barb and Cliff Kern, Debbie Welch, Chris and Sally Homuth, Tim Hayes, Jill, Gwen Ische, and Teri and Joe DiBenedetto.
C hapt e r 6
“Stir it up.” Sally and Chris dance to Bob Marley’s celebration of life and love as performed by the beach musicians Debbie hired for Sally’s and Chris’ reception.
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C h ap t e r 8
Beach Party. Friends and family of Sally and Chris (as well as hundreds of strangers) dance the night away with a beach party on the Caribbean to put an exclamation point on the wedding day. The event featured Jamaican musicians and dancers — and a Sesame Street parade.
C h ap t e r 9
Bringing the party home. Sally and Chris held a reception April 10, 2010, at the VFW in Chaska for all the friends and family that weren’t able to celebrate the couple’s wedding in Jamaica.
The Homuth Family, pictured (from left) Eric and Carla Deppiesse, Steve Gozdowiak, Sally and Chris Homuth, Cyndy and Mark Homuth, and Amy Gozdowiak.
The Kern Family, pictured (from left) Jeremiah, Jared, Barb, Lynne, Jayden Homuth, Cliff, Ethan, Chris Homuth, Bryanna, and Sally Homuth.
The Homuth Family. Jayden, Chris and Sally.
The Best of Friends. Sally and Chris pose for photographs with Justin and Elisha Goedel.
Family Ties. Sally (far left) with her Goddaughter, Lanie Peterson. Sally and Chris are pictured with Sally’s paternal grandmother, Leone Kern.