Love Story Fall 2008

Kimberly (Glindmyer) and Michael Palermo

July 4, 2008
The Cliff House
Stowe VT

HOW WE MET:

Mike and I met around February 2002 when we were both attending Vermont Technical College. Mike's older brother was dating a girl I went to high school with. She lived next door in my dorm and invited me over to play some cards with them. Neither Mike nor I thought anything of this-- in fact we were kind of sassy to each other. But over time, what with hanging around each other, not to mention our chance encounters when I was running from the bathroom in my towel.... we grew on each other. A friendship developed and we kept in touch. We started a long- distance relationship that same summer.

HOW WE GOT ENGAGED:

I had to go to work at the Stowe Mountain Resort, but the night before we had gotten over a foot of snow. I did not want to take my new car to work, so Mike drove me in his truck. Little did I know that he had planned to propose that night! He picked up the ring that my brother had helped him pick out, asked my mother for my hand in marriage, got his hair cut, and set the scene. Mike picked me up after my shift, brought me to our apartment, and told me to wait in the truck. Needless to say I was suspicious! He called me on my cell phone to tell me that I could come in. As I walked in, I could smell the vanilla-scented candles. I looked up the stairs and saw white rose petals leading up to our bedroom. I opened the bedroom door to find candles and petals everywhere and Mike on bended knee. My legs gave out, and then came the question I had been waiting four years to hear: "Will you marry me?”. Two years of engagement followed.

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS:

Our wedding day had so many moments that made it very memorable and special. Mike and I decided early on that we wanted someone that we knew to marry us. We were elated to hear that Mikes grandfather would perform the ceremony. The ceremony and it went off without a hitch. He did a wonderful job and it will forever be a fond memory.

Some other memorable moments from our wedding were reading our personal wedding vows to each other, first dance, my mother daughter dance, cutting of the cake, listening to the beautiful speeches that our attendants wrote for us and a "dance off" that we had with our guest.

I would say that my most cherished part of the day, besides marring the man of my dreams, was waiting in the lobby of the cliff house before my grand entrance and seeing my "little" brother turn the corner dressed in his tux to come walk me down the aisle. I never really viewed him as a man until that very minute. My father was absent from our lives at a young age and it has always been just the three of us, my mother, brother and I, so having him walk beside me down the aisle meant the world. I cried so hard. I still get choked up just thinking of it.

PLANNING ADVICE:

Mike and I were engaged two years prior to the wedding. This gave us plenty of time to book the entertainment, the ceremony and reception site, the photographer and the florist, saving us literally thousands of dollars. Fees are constantly going up, so my advice is to book early if you already know of some solid vendors you would like. Mt. Mansfield is my favorite place to be, and Stowe Vermont is a beautiful town, so my pick was a no-brainer. Who knew that the Cliff House in Stowe came with a bridal fairy godmother, a wonderful wedding planner by the name of Calais Lovejoy.

She was amazing! I really don’t know that I would have made it to my wedding day without her. She took care of all the little details and answered my crazy questions and concerns through many e-mails and phone calls. She put together the entire rehearsal and was there for near every minute of my wedding day, making sure everything went off without a hitch. She even came out with food while our pictures were being taken. If I have any advice to future brides it would be to seriously consider hiring a wedding planner. Your day will go much smoother and you will not regret the investment.

Index of Love Stories at Vermont Bride Magazine