A Real Life Fairy Tale
Aug 20, 2009 Wedding Planning InstituteFor over 60 years, Florence and John Smatusik shared more than a marriage. They shared a dream. Like so many Certified Wedding Planner clients, the couple wanted to be married in their faith. They wanted a Catholic wedding ceremony.
They met 70 years ago, when they were both 12. At 18, John gave Florence an engagement ring on a local “kissing bridge”. Two years later, they were married by the justice of the peace at a town hall civil ceremony.
For the next six decades, the pair raised three children and enjoyed otherwise fulfilling lives, except the overwhelming desire to have a church wedding never died. Last Friday, with family and friends in attendance, John and Florence, both now 82, in wheelchairs and in failing health, were remarried in a Catholic ceremony at the care center where they both now reside.
“I waited a long time,” said Florence. “I feel like Cinderella.”
Sometimes in life, we can make our own happy endings.
Florence and John Smatusik
Tags: Become a wedding planner, Certified Wedding Planner, Wedding Industry News, Wedding Planning News
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i would really love to learn more about the green bride 
August 20th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
How sweet…”Some love lasts a lifetime. True love lasts forever.” -Unknown
August 21st, 2009 at 8:06 pm
This blog really reminded me of my very own grandparents. They too met at the age of 14 and 16 and were married at 17 and 19. They were married for 47 years before my grandpa had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which shortly afterward took his life. My grandma is know left to be alone for the first time in her life and is truly heartbroken. For my grandpa’s last birthday he wanted to have their vows renewed but couldn’t do to his health, then died 9 days later. I miss him horribly but not even close to how much my grandma missed him. She has shown me what “True Love” really means.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Great!
This is so romantic story. Love is never too old. Never is late for our dreams.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
I loved this article. It is stories like these that give hope and excitement to our industry. Proves that it is never too lte to fufill a dream. Bless Florence and John.
August 25th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Wow!!!
There is Love out there, You could see they love each other. This is why I want to be a Wedding Planner because you could live happen ever after.
August 28th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Soul mates. What a beautiful story to share with the rest of us hopeless romantics. Way to go to this couple I’m sure that their union has been blessed in the God’s eyes and their union should be admired by all who hear of this beautiful story of Love.
August 31st, 2009 at 12:16 pm
As a student of the Wedding Planning Institute, this blog really reminded me of my very own grandparents. They too met at the age of 14 and 16 and were married at 17 and 19. They were married for 47 years before my grandpa had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which shortly afterward took his life. My grandma is know left to be alone for the first time in her life and is truly heartbroken. For my grandpa’s last birthday he wanted to have their vows renewed but couldn’t do to his health, then died 9 days later. I miss him horribly but not even close to how much my grandma missed him. She has shown me what “True Love” really means.
September 18th, 2009 at 8:12 am
It is stories like this that make really make me want to fulfill my dream of becoming a wedding planner. This is so cute!
September 28th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
This story is so poignant and beautiful! And,…Kristin, take care of Grandma!
September 28th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
This story is very heart warming. As a future certified wedding planner, this comes to show that couples starting their lives together or who have been living their lives together can share the same dreams. It is up to us as their confidants to make their dreams come true and focus on not only their visions, but to be reminded that our talents are fulfilling the hearts of many!
October 5th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
It’s a very heart warming story. It reminds us how we should live and love the life we have each day.
October 17th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
What a beautiful story to share with some of today’s couples coming before us as wedding plqanners. This couple has been through it all, I’m sure and like the bible says in 1st Corinthians 13: “the greatest gift is love”
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:37 pm
This was such a great story. It’s wonderful to see that true love really does last forever. I’m happy that they finally got the wedding they dreamed of!
October 24th, 2009 at 9:51 am
What a beautiful love! Florence does look like a Cinderella and John, her Prince, who has been there, in ups and downs of life. A normal wedding ceremony, couples look forward to what’s coming up, and celebrate for their future together. Here, these loving couple celebrates what a great life they had together, and they prove that Dreams Are Achievable, No Matter What’s the Age. I am so happy for the couple. Happy Ending is always followed by a new Happy Beginning!
October 29th, 2009 at 7:07 am
As a wedding coordinator for almost 10 years, I have conducted several vow renewal ceremonies. I work at a Catholic Chapel and I know how very important this ceremony is to so many couples - at any age! Even tho it wasn’t a true vow renewal, it seemed like that since they had been married for so long already. It just shows how committed they are - to each other and to the church. I am so happy that they finally were able to realize their dream! What a wonderful way to celebrate love. They both seem so pleased. I wish them many more happy days together!
October 30th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
If i was to get an elope I would end like them. I always wanted that dream wedding where everyone gathers around to see you shine when you walk down that aisle. I would always want to renew my vows especially at my 50th anniversary.
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:09 pm
This sort of reminds me of the movie “The Notebook” - a love that lasts all obstacles and lives every dream no matter how long it took them to do so. It is so beautiful. Ladies and gentlemen this is living proof that it exists and it is out there. Don’t settle for anything less than this.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:53 am
It actually the Story of the Cinderella once again proving that the main thing is a faith, hope and love. There is nothing impossible for the person, especially if nearby the loving one. Such people as Florence and John Smatusik set an example to people, do not allow to forget that the love exists, and also remind that the dream does not have working life, it never late to realise. Happiness to you and love, Florence and John Smatusik!!!
November 5th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I love this story! It is so sweet that they waited so long and they were finally able to have their dream wedding! I know of so many people that had to get married at a younger age and did not get the wedding they dreamed of. I hope that some day I can help their dreams come true.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Never give up on your dreams!
A truly inspirational story. That’s why I’m in this business. True love is really beautiful. Hopefully in the course of my career, as a certified wedding coordinator, I’ll be able help other couples have their dream weddings also.
November 30th, 2009 at 10:57 am
This is such a cute story! It just goes to show that the old cliche holds true, “where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
December 15th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
They are too cute! I would love to be involved in a wedding like theirs. Someday, hopefully.
January 15th, 2010 at 10:20 am
This story inspires me to keep up with my career in wedding planning. It shows that love can last forever and that you don’t need a huge wedding to tell someone how you feel. I think that it is amazing that are still com mitted to the church and followed through with their dreams.
January 20th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
What a beautiful story! This gives me great hope and inspiration in my career in wedding planning. It does show that you do not need a big wedding and that we should follow our dreams.
February 11th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
What a beautiful couple. Their fairy tale wedding came true with the help of family and friends. As a wedding coordinator, I would fulfill my clients dream wedding.