Gretchen and Mark’s intimate celebration was a wonderful way to finish off our 2011 wedding season.
And as Gretchen told me, “Mark and my story is one of joy, grief, and many, many, blessings.”
The couple, who have known each other for many years, both lost a spouse to cancer. Gretchen’s first husband, also Mark, was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer in 1988. “He was an amazing man who dealt with his illness with tremendous courage,” Gretchen noted.
Mark’s wife Louella was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. Gretchen and Mark would speak every so often about caring for a spouse with cancer. Mark lost his wife in April 2008 and Gretchen’s husband passed away in August 2008.
Gretchen said, “There are not many people widowed in their 40s who are raising children, so Mark and I continued to talk every so often. We both loved our spouses very much and grieved their loss very hard. In early 2010 Mark and I met for a business lunch and spent two hours talking about our spouses. A few weeks later we met for a not so business lunch and that was the beginning of our life as a couple.”
She added, “He has two wonderful boys, Russ and Luke, and I have two great kids in Alec and Gracie. We are incredibly blessed in that despite having lost so much so young, the kids recognize that our relationship makes their parents happy and they have been really supportive. This doesn’t mean we haven’t had bumps, but so far it has worked well and Mark and I are very excited about our new life as a family.”
Gretchen’s friend, the Rev. Katherine Kerr, led the service at First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte . They had become close during Gretchen’s husband’s illness.
Following the ceremony in the church’s chapel, the group moved to Myers Park Country Club to celebrate. Thanks to Karen Litton, event coordinator at the club, and the Rev. Kerr for their help.
It was a privilege to play a small part in this special celebration and best of luck Gretchen, Mark and their children!
Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year to all!
![gm_blog_01 Gretchen and Mark and their children, from left, Alec, Gracie, Luke and Russ follow the Rev. Katherine Kerr's invitation to greet their guests during the service](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/gm_blog_01.jpg)
![gm_blog_02 Gretchen waits with her father, stepmother, sister and daughter before the wedding at First Presbyterian Church](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/gm_blog_02.jpg)
![gm_blog_03 Gretchen and Gracie share a quiet moment while waiting](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/gm_blog_03.jpg)
![gm_blog_04 Mother and daughter laugh as they prepare for a big life change](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/gm_blog_04.jpg)
![gm_blog_05 Gretchen and her father](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/gm_blog_05.jpg)
![gm_blog_06 The ceremony](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/gm_blog_06.jpg)
![gm_blog_07 Gretchen celebrates with her sister and her mother](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/gm_blog_07.jpg)
![gm_blog_08 Mark's sons Luke and Russ with their grandmother](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/gm_blog_08.jpg)
![gm_blog_09 Gretchen and Mark](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/gm_blog_09.jpg)
![gm_blog_10 A festive holiday setting at Myers Park Country Club](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/gm_blog_10.jpg)
![gm_blog_11 Some tasty dessert](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/gm_blog_11.jpg)
![gm_blog_12 Finishing off a wonderful night](http://blog.christopherrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/gm_blog_12.jpg)