The Wedding

~Engaged To Be Married~

Laura Christine Haddan and Edward Andreas Raastad

The First Meeting

Let’s hear it for good ole Match.com! I made a deal with Trina that if I didn't start dating someone by the time I was 30, she would get to be in charge of my love life. Well, I stalled her out till I finished my masters and when I moved to AZ she told me that if I didn't sign up for Match, she was gonna do it for me. Well, I signed up and started talking to Andrew within the first 24 hours on the site. When I saw his profile, I thought he was very cute...and funny, and I sent Lils an email so she could give her approval. We sent a few emails back and forth which included one where he asked me "what is an attractive girl like you doing in Eloy?". I decided to suck it up and accept his invite to Chili's in Casa Grande. As I was sitting on the bench out front, I called Lils and almost chickened out...but she threatened me...and I stayed....Thank God! As he turned the corner of the building, my heart skipped a beat. He was so much more handsome in person....Wow. I tried to be cool, but...WOW! He opened the door like a true gentleman...we sat down, ordered the exact same thing (steak of course)...later he told me if I had been yet another vegan...he would have ended the night early....lol. The conversation flowed all night and even the pauses in conversation were comfortable. Not only was he handsome, he was funny. I laughed and smiled so much that my cheeks hurt the whole drive home. Before the evening ended we set up 2 more dates...and I knew I was hooked. (Unfortunately it took almost a whole month more of dating before I figured out he was romantically interested....slacker) I called Trina on my way home after our first date and told her thanks for making me stay and I wrote in my journal that night that I really felt like he may be "the one". Who says ya can't find love online.....

Laura	Andrew
I am a flip flop wearing California girl at heart. I am so in love with Andrew and can't wait to be his wifey! I am an OT and I love what I do. I Love the Diamondbacks and hate seafood. My favorite colors are blue and green, my favorite flower is a Gerber Daisy, I love Grey’s Anatomy, Nip/Tuck and Law and Order: SVU, I love all music but #1 is country, I love Billy Joel and Idina Menzle and my family and friends are everything to me. I love the arts: theater, music and dance. I am pretty good in the kitchen and baking and cooking is "my thing". I read to relax or take long bubble baths. Of course...I am a total Daddy’s girl. Oh Yea...Did I mention I am madly in love?	I was born in New Jersey, but as a transplant at the age of two, I consider myself a native of Arizona. Grew up in the small town of Casa Grande, which has recently begun to grow and get some of the things only "big cities" had. After graduating from Casa Grande High, I joined the Navy to "see the world", or perhaps you may remember... "It’s not a job, it's an adventure!" I certainly had an adventure, getting to see Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Middle East, and Australia, along with serving to defend this great country was a lot of fun and I very much enjoyed it. After a four-year hitch, I got out and came back to CG to go back to college. I graduated from the local community college, continued and received by Bachelor's from Embry-Riddle in Prescott, AZ, and then finished with my Master's from University of Phoenix. Now though, I spend my days developing software and Internet apps as a contractor. I was fortunate and lucky enough to meet Laura, who since the day I met her has been the focus of my life. I couldn't imagine anyone better! From here, it's all unwritten, but wherever the road leads, I know I have the best partner a guy could ask for.

Laura

Andrew

I am a flip flop wearing California girl at heart. I am so in love with Andrew and can't wait to be his wifey! I am an OT and I love what I do. I Love the Diamondbacks and hate seafood. My favorite colors are blue and green, my favorite flower is a Gerber Daisy, I love Grey’s Anatomy, Nip/Tuck and Law and Order: SVU, I love all music but #1 is country, I love Billy Joel and Idina Menzle and my family and friends are everything to me. I love the arts: theater, music and dance. I am pretty good in the kitchen and baking and cooking is "my thing". I read to relax or take long bubble baths. Of course...I am a total Daddy’s girl. Oh Yea...Did I mention I am madly in love? The Rose of Love

I was born in New Jersey, but as a transplant at the age of two, I consider myself a native of Arizona. Grew up in the small town of Casa Grande, which has recently begun to grow and get some of the things only "big cities" had. After graduating from Casa Grande High, I joined the Navy to "see the world", or perhaps you may remember... "It’s not a job, it's an adventure!" I certainly had an adventure, getting to see Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Middle East, and Australia, along with serving to defend this great country was a lot of fun and I very much enjoyed it. After a four-year hitch, I got out and came back to CG to go back to college. I graduated from the local community college, continued and received by Bachelor's from Embry-Riddle in Prescott, AZ, and then finished with my Master's from University of Phoenix. Now though, I spend my days developing software and Internet apps as a contractor. I was fortunate and lucky enough to meet Laura, who since the day I met her has been the focus of my life. I couldn't imagine anyone better! From here, it's all unwritten, but wherever the road leads, I know I have the best partner a guy could ask for. The Rose of Love

The Proposal

I still can hardly believe I am writing these words, but Andrew and I are officially engaged! Friday night May 23, Dad, Andrew and I went to go see the new Indiana Jones movie, and apparently, when I was out of the room, he asked Dad for his permission to propose. I hear Dad said something to the effect of "do it to it!" Saturday was a normal day for us like any day. We went to IHOP for breakfast and both had errands to run on our own and we met back up at his house when we were done. It had been a tough week at work for me and I was exhausted. Andrew had to run over to Chuck and Margot's to do some Masonic stuff (so I thought), so as I passed out asleep before he even left, he went to their house in reality to show them the rings and tell them what was gonna happen. Andrew got back to the house, took a shower and got cleaned up (I am still unconscious on the sofa) and when he woke me up, he was a little dressed up. He looked very handsome. Sadly, I just thought he forgot to do laundry and that something other then a Big Dog tee was all he had clean….oops. Then he suggested that since we had to run errands in Chandler, we go to Carabba's since we had not been there in months. I agreed, because I was really feeling the need for tiramisu. We went to the Men's Warehouse to get some new shirts and ties and then headed over to Carabba's. He was acting a lil weird, but nothing too out of the ordinary. He asked for a table…a little weird…then told me to order whatever I wanted….well…I always do that anyway….but I thought nothing of it. Dinner was fantastic, and I even tried some of Andrews fish (which I liked… shhhhhh! …don't tell). At the end of the meal…Andrew asked me about my favorite wine. Not too out of the ordinary since we had been shopping for wine for Dad and talking about how fun it would be to go to a wine tasting sometime. Then…as usual…Andrew excused himself to go to the restroom after dinner…again….no big deal. I sat at the table and text’d Dad about how much I actually liked Andrew's fish. The next thing I knew, he was standing next to the table handing me wine and saying beautiful things. It went along the lines of: Since the minute he met me, I have made him happier then he ever thought he could be and that he loved me very much and (this is where he drops to one knee) would I do him the most wonderful honor of becoming his wife. Um….. Oh my God….Yes!!! All I remember is seeing the ring and thinking…your crazy…. really…. crazy….really…you want to marry me? People around us were saying "say yes" and when he slipped the ring on the lady next to us said "Wow…and it even fits". I of course said yes…duh! When he came around the table and sat down he pulled out the box with his ring and said since he was asking me to wear a ring, he felt he should wear one too, and he slipped his on. Oh my God….we are engaged! Then, as I was basking in the glow of our engagement, our waiter came over with this insanely huge plate with tiramisu, chocolate mousse cake and a lemon strawberry cake, to say congratulations from the management. Each piece had a candle in it and they were all yummy! When I finished my Merlot and we made a ding in the dessert, one of the couples sitting near us took our picture with my phone. Unfortunately this is the one time in the history of our dating I did not have my camera in my purse. Figures! When we left the restaurant, we went over to the Wine Cellar and looked around while I called Dad, Lils, Emily and Grandpa. Then we headed back to Casa Grande to see Dad and Karen and then off to Chuck and Margot’s. It was a perfect night….Andrew loves me and it looks like I am finally going to get my happily ever after with my Prince Charming. And of course….lets not forget to point out that my handsome fiancé picked out my ring all by himself, and it is absolutely gorgeous. It is the cut and color I love (princess and silver) and it has that modern look which is all him…I love it. It is beautiful "girl chrome"!

Her Ring	His Ring

The Date

Although it seems sudden to get married this December, this is a very special date. As everyone knows, my Mom passed away in 2001 and she was my very best friend. In addition to Andrew and I both loving the holiday season, my parents anniversary was December 28. My parents were soul mates that loved each other more then anything in the world. As a way to make my Mom part of our wedding and in the hopes that we have as much of a loving, amazing relationship as my parents had, we chose a date as close to their anniversary as possible. December 27th, 2008

Where the Union is to Take Place

Francisco Grande Hotel and Golf Resort
2600 West Gila Bend Highway
Casa Grande, AZ
Rooms have been reserved at Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort
Contact info:
(800) 237-4238 • (520) 836-6444 • Fax (520) 421-0544
Francisco Grande website
Please mention you're with the "Haddan/Raastad Wedding"

The Ceremony
4:30 in the Afternoon

The Reception
5:00 Immediately following the Union