LOVE STORIES
Neither expected it, but something magic happened

By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Staff Writer

Her uncle had died earlier that day. Her eyes were all puffy. But her friends were getting up and she didn't want to be left behind. The pair danced to the fast stuff, but when a slow song came on, they sat it out.

"I thought he was cute, very quiet," recalled Ramos-Reynon. "We didn't really talk."

He wasn't looking for a forever girlfriend, either.

"I was out to have fun," said Reynon.

But Reynon believes things happen for a reason. He called later at the urging of a mutual friend.

"After we started talking, I realized it," he said. "I started to tingle."

He learned she didn't plan to go to the lu'au, but went at the encouragement of her family.

"She told me she wasn't supposed to be there in first place, it was very last-minute," he said. "As fate would have it, it worked out well. I'm big believer in fate."

Reynon doesn't remember seeing her around school before that, either. But after one date, he knew he was smitten: "It was as if we were friends forever."

She, too, knew from the very first phone call he was "it."

A decade later, after college and the start of their careers (both are state employees), they had the wedding of their dreams.

More correctly, the wedding of Ramos-Reynon's dreams.

"That's the way our relationship has always been," said Reynon. "Whatever she wanted. ... I wanted to make all her dreams come true."

Reynon says his wife usually has simple tastes. But both knew she wanted a beautiful wedding, which she planned for 1 1/2 years. What did she want for that special day, Nov. 22, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village? A dress fit for a princess. A matching tiara. The theme song "This I Promise You" by 'N Sync emblazoned on their party favors and even the centerpieces. Radio deejay/comedian Greg Hammer as their emcee. A harpist. A dozen blue and white birds released.

They paid for it all — flowers, bridesmaids dresses (they had four bridesmaids, four groomsmen, four flower girls and two ringbearers), dinner, everything — themselves. Without touching their credit.

"My pocket still has a big huge hole in it," Reynon quipped.

"I always knew what I wanted," she said. "I owe it all to him. (He'd say,) 'Whatever you want.' He didn't care about the price. He was always like that. He's a very unique person, and the perfect husband."

But the most remarkable moment was the one that caught both of them up in tears.

As she walked down the aisle, she told herself "Do not cry!" But looking at her husband, who was all misty, she couldn't help herself.

"It was a special moment. The past 10 years flashed through my head. I realized this was just a beginning of another chapter."

Tell us your love story. Fax the details to 525-8055 or write to islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com.