The story behind,

Joni Tucker & Gijs Aarden

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In september 2002 on a rainy day, they saw each other for the first time. She was soaking wet by the rain and he sweating from a hard day at work....

Later that afternoon, Joni stepped in to "Het Karbeel" in Amsterdam, hungry and in search of a spot outside. When she went back outside to take her seat it was already taken, so the waiter offered her the best spot in the house, with a beautiful outdoor view.

Overly preoccupied with her situation, when the waiter came to take her order, they started chatting. She told her story, how she was studying in Spain, how she ended up in Amsterdam, & that she was turned down by 3 other restaurants because they were still not serving food, and that she lost her friend who had her passport & Eurail train ticket. During the chat, she told the waiter her order, "a chicken sandwich, no tomato", he went with his big smile, but then he made the worst mistake of all waiters-forget to put in the order and not remember what she ordered! He had to collect all his confidence and go back to her....

Very satisfied after her lunch, when she paid the check, he invited her for a cup of coffee at 6pm when he was done with his shift. She agreed, and returned to meet him after his shift. After having coffee, he invited her out for a drink. They spent the next week in Amsterdam hanging out together every day. After a magical time together they decided to keep in touch through email. They stayed friends-but that was all it could be given the reality of their vast geographical distance, and the timing just was not right. In the coming years, she visited Amsterdam a few times more and each time it was destiny that brought her there. What she and he didn't know, is that 4 years later they would be married on the 22nd of August in 2006 and live happily together in Washington DC after a year living together in Amsterdam and Eindhoven.

Each declared their commitment. Together they can achieve anything, still being their own person in the comfort and knowledge that they can depend on each other!

United together on this beautiful day, this story

will be continued…

These pictures were taken for us by our good friends, Kevin & Ben on our wedding day-enjoy!