Today’s “Meet a Milestone” post focuses on Jason and Aimee, the second couple to win in our JetBlue gift card contest. We’re helping them celebrate their engagement by asking about their story as well as their plans for the future!

Meet the Bride and Groom…
Aimee Bernard and Jason Rivera

Communities You’ve Called Home
Salisbury, MA; Newton, MA; Abington, MA; Quincy, MA; Newburyport, MA

How did you meet?
Through our mutual love of local live rock shows; what better way to get to know someone than amidst a crowd of people and over exceptionally loud music!

When and how did he propose?
After seven years there was no need to get on one knee and do what countless others do in the time honored “traditional” way. We pride ourselves in being unconventional and if he had done what many men before him have done I would have yanked him right up off his knee. For us, becoming engaged was just the next stage we wanted to take. We wanted it to be about us rather than the actual “act.” We came together and chose to design a ring of our own that we felt symbolized the love we share after almost a decade together. Some might find our way a little unorthodox but we like to call our relationship unique.

What are your plans for the wedding?
Something unconventional, non-traditional that shows our desire to be anything but main stream.  We don’t see ourselves as a numbered table with boxes of the same ol’ favors you see at countless weddings, hotel venue type of couple. We want to gear it toward something more intimate with a fun, casual reception vibe, reminiscent of the clam bakes his family had years at their beach house growing up.

What is your favorite thing about xtra xtra?
Being able to see not only my own family and friends’ milestones in their lives but to also share in the joy and happiness of others in our communities.

Where will you go with your JetBlue Gift card?
We would love to use it toward a trip back to Puerto Rico where his dad is originally from. Who knows–maybe we’ll elope!

You can learn more about Jason and Aimee’s plans by checking out their xtra xtra engagement announcement, and join us in wishing them good luck and a happy future in the comments section below!

We have another entry for our “Meet a Milestone” series that introduces you to real people celebrating real milestones. Today we’re excited to talk with Kestrel and John, one of the winners from our JetBlue gift card giveaway! Together they tell us how they met, how they fell in love, and what they’re looking forward to in the future.

Meet the Bride and Groom…
Kestrel Homer and John Hegarty

Communities You’ve Called Home
Kestrel: Santa Cruz, CA; San Diego, CA; Columbia, MO
John: Greenville, SC; San Diego, CA; Columbia, MO

Schools You’ve Attended
Kestrel: University of California Santa Cruz; San Diego State University; University of Missouri, Columbia
John: Clemson University; San Diego State University; University of Missouri, Columbia

How did you meet?
We met in class at San Diego State. We had two classes together and Kestrel would sit behind me in both of them, but I never talked to her. She found out later it was because I thought she had a boyfriend (which she didn’t). At the end of the semester we started talking about the final exam and once the talking started it never stopped.

When and how did he propose?
On Christmas Day 2009. Kestrel slept in and once she finally woke up John and Kes opened the presents they had gotten each other. John went all out! He got Kes a new TV for the workout room, a really cool book, new scarves, and more. She did not realize how much more yet though. John asked if they could do stockings last, so finally the couple dug into their stockings. Kestrel worked her way down and at the bottom she realized there was a small jewelry box. “Oh my God!” She thought, “This is it!” Her heart beating faster and faster, and her palms starting to sweat and shake, she slooooowly opened the box…and inside was a beautiful oval necklace. Yes, a necklace. She tried to hide her surprise and not to act disappointed, because it really was a very nice necklace.

John helped her put it on and the two sat on the couch holding each other in front of the fire. “I want to love you forever,” John said. “Of course, I want to love you forever and ever.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the most beautiful perfect ring ever, and told her again that he wanted to love her forever, and asked if she would marry him. She laughed, and cried tears of joy, and maybe did a little dance. And it was truly the best Christmas ever.

What are your plans for the wedding?
We are having a destination wedding in Negril, Jamaica. It will be a smaller wedding at sunset overlooking the ocean with our closest family and friends.

What is your favorite thing about xtra xtra?
We love the variety of milestones that can be posted. We celebrate lots of things with our family and friends and it is nice to have a website that does not leave anything out J

Where will you go with your JetBlue Gift card?
We don’t know yet! It might help with our honeymoon? Or possibly to help fly family to Jamaica.

You can learn more about John and Kestrel by checking out their xtra xtra engagement announcement. We wish them the best of luck in their wedding plans and in their lives together.

Stay tuned on Wednesday for another “Meet a Milestone” installment from our second giveaway winner!

The “Meet a Milestone” series features real people celebrating real milestones. Today we’re talking to Rachael Kenney, a bride-to-be who’s in the final stages of planning her October wedding.

Meet the Bride and Groom…
Rachael Kenney and Kevin Reid

Communities They’ve Called Home
Rachael: Beverly, MA; Metro Boston, MA; Golden, CO
Kevin: Fort Myers FL; Lawrence, MA; Metro Boston, MA; Golden CO

Schools They Attended
Rachael: UMass Lowell and Boston College
Kevin: Salem State College

How did Kevin propose?
On Christmas Kevin’s younger brother and his girlfriend got engaged. I got upset because I’d been wanting to get engaged for months, and we’d been together nearly five years at that point. “Just a few more days!!” he told me. Then on New Year’s Eve, the same day we got together, he got down on one knee in the snow under the glow of the Marblehead, MA lighthouse, the same place we got together, and “popped the question.”

What’s surprised you about wedding planning? How have your friends and family been involved?
I was surprised that font type and size would become such important decisions! Taking on DIY projects can easily add up to a lot more work, and expense, than originally intended. My mom has been really helpful; I’m planning a Massachusetts wedding from Colorado. She checked out all of the venues before I came home so we only went to see the best ones. She also did the tasting for me. This week she gave me advice on coordinating with the priests while on vacation in Hawaii! She’s in her glory and that helps make the stress and wishing we just eloped worth it. A wedding isn’t just about the couple; it’s about bringing together two families.

Can you tell us about one or two of the most memorable gifts you’ve received so far?
The best gift so far was from my mom. When she was trying to figure out what to give me my dad asked her what her favorite shower gift was. It was a cookbook that one of my late great uncles had illustrated and my great Aunt Norma had given to her at her shower in 1976. My mom asked my Aunt Norma if she still had copies or knew where to find one but Aunt Norma didn’t have any. My mom searched the internet but copies were scarce and crazy-expensive. Then my Aunt Norma called again, she found a copy when sorting items for a yard sale! That copy is now in my kitchen cabinet and I hope to get as much use out of it as my mom got out of hers!

Where will the wedding take place? What are you forward to on your wedding day?
The wedding will take place at the church I grew up in, St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Salem, MA. The reception will be at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead, MA, which is just a stone’s throw away from the lighthouse where Kevin and I met and got engaged. I’m most looking forward to being done planning and getting my life back! And seeing family and friends– it’s hard to get all of the visits in on short trips home and I’ll be meeting some of Kevin’s family for the first time.

So tell us... Do you have any advice for the happy couple to keep in mind as their wedding day draws closer? Share your wedding memories in a comment below!

We wish Rachael and Kevin the best of luck as they begin this new adventure. You can congratulate them in a comment below their xtra xtra engagement announcement, and remember to recommend the site to a bride- or groom-to-be in your life, too! It’s fast and free, and it’s a great way to keep everyone in touch!

Till next time,
CH

Welcome to the second installment of our “Meet a Milestone” series. These blog posts feature real people who are commemorating real milestones with xtraxtra.com. We recently interviewed a graduating senior, and today we’re talking to the Grundigs as they celebrate their 10^th wedding anniversary!

Happy Anniversary To…
Jodi and Dan Grundig

Communities You’ve Called Home
Jodi: Seattle, WA; Brighton, MA; Natick, MA: Tiverton, RI; Boston, MA; and Rochester, NY
Dan: Seattle, WA; Brighton, MA; Natick, MA; Randolph, MA; and Boston, MA

Schools You’ve Attended
Jodi: University of Rochester (BA) and Northeastern University (MBA)
Dan: Boston College (BA) and Northeastern University (MBA)

Can you share a fun memory from your engagement or wedding day?
On the day of our wedding, I was at my parents’ house getting ready, when a beautiful bouquet of flowers was delivered to me from Dan.  It included a note that he was thinking of me and couldn’t wait to get married.  It was the sweetest thing ever, and got me past those jitters.

What’s one thing you’ve learned in 10 years of marriage that really surprises you?
It’s truly amazing to see how fast time flies.  It’s a total cliché, but it really does seem like yesterday that we got married.  Then, I look around at our home and our two children, and realize that it really has been 10 years.

How do you plan to celebrate your anniversary?
We celebrated our anniversary last week on Martha’s Vineyard.  Our kids stayed with their grandparents, and we just took a nice relaxing trip.  It was the perfect place to go – not too far, but felt like we were halfway around the world.

Take a look at Dan and Jodi’s xtra xtra announcement, and feel free to create a posting of your own, too. xtra xtra milestones are a great way to commemorate a special event with the whole community, and it’s completely free. You can also share your favorite anniversary memories in a comment below, and let us know if you have a special story for our future “Meet a Milestone” posts!

Till next time,

CH

We’re kicking off a new blog series called “Meet a Milestone.” We’ll be interviewing real people who are celebrating some of the special milestones that we feature on xtraxtra.com. Our series begins with a few words from someone who recently celebrated a major achievement: his college graduation!

Name: Jason Isaacs

Communities You’ve Called Home: Greenlawn, NY; Chestnut Hill, MA

Schools You’ve Attended: Elwood-John H. Glenn High School (Elwood, NY); Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA)

Undergraduate Studies: Double major: Secondary Education and Mathematics

Future Plans: Staying at Boston College to complete a 5^th Year Masters of Education in Educational Research, Measurement and Evaluation

Jason Greets the Sunrise

How I Celebrated: The week preceding graduation was filled with numerous events for seniors.  I attended all of them, spending time with the friends that I consider to be family and eager to see faces I haven’t seen in awhile.  The weekend prior to graduation, my parents, brother and Grandma drove up from Long Island and both of my aunts and uncles on my mother’s side also came into town to celebrate this accomplishment.  While they were here, I spent a majority of time with them doing what Italians love to do: eat. Just mere hours before graduation, it is tradition for the sleep-deprived graduating seniors to make their way to the Beacon Street Garage to watch the sunrise.  It was absolutely incredible and, in true fashion, my friends and I were the last ones off the roof of the garage.

Favorite Memory from Graduation Day: My favorite memory has to have been the wait to process into Alumni Stadium.  Sure, it was hot and I was dressed in a shirt and tie and black graduation robes, but I was standing there with the few gentlemen of the Lynch School’s Class of 2010 that have pushed me more than any professor to become the teacher that I want to be.  We talked and complained about the weather, but mostly we smiled at our achievements and the decisions we have made to get us to where we are today.

Check out Jason’s graduation announcement at xtra xtra. If you know someone who recently graduated, you can make a free milestone in their honor, too. Tell us about your school memories, and let us know if you have a special story for one of our future “Meet a Milestone” posts!

Till next time,

CH