Jasmin Reyes and Mike DiRusso

How long have you been together? When did you meet?

We have been together for 5 years! We got together on July 4th, 2004! Great year- Patriots won the Superbowl, Red Sox won the World Series and I met Mike!

How did you meet?

I had just moved to Somerville at the time and was just getting ready for a quiet night in. As I was sitting on my couch about to watch a movie, my best friend Kristen called me up and asked me to go out with her, her new boyfriend and his “hot single friends”... It didn’t take much to convince me. When I arrived at the Foggy Goggle I noticed Mike right away. I was introduced to about 15 of the “hot single friends.“ As I was being introduced to everyone, when it was Mikes turn to shake my hand I couldn’t even say his name. I was attracted to him right away. For weeks I couldn’t stop thinking about him and on the 4th of July we made it official! 

When did you get engaged?

We got engaged on our 5th year anniversary in 2009!

How did you get engaged?

It was the fourth of July and it was the first day all summer that the weather was warm and sunny. After a morning of working on our house we went to our friends house for a cook-out. We were all debating on where to watch the fireworks and Mike made the executive decision to go watch the fireworks by the Charles River in Boston. As the fireworks were going off Mike wrapped his arms around me and came close to my ear and said: “Happy Anniversary! You know it’s been 5 years? 5 years is a long time and each year I feel like we grow closer together and I can’t imagine my life without you. And although we’ve been together for 5 years- 5 years is not long enough…“ At this point he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I cried like a baby and said “OF COURSE… I thought you’d never ask!“ It was probaby the most romantic nights of my life.

Tell us why you should win a free wedding at The Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Crossings from NBC 10 and A Better Sound. Remember, creativity counts! Tell us a story, write us a poem, just plain entertain us!

Why I think we should win:

Can’t afford the gown, the reception or DJ Can’t spare any money for that very special day… These are just some of the reasons I think we should win, Heck I count myself lucky - he got me the Ring!
I’ve waited 5 years for him to propose, I can’t wait any longer – Plan B to elope?!?
But I’ve been planning my wedding since the age of 7, with a beautiful gown and to be wed at the Crown! 
Doesn’t that sound like a small piece of heaven?
But my plans never said to wait till 2011!
It’s not just the money, the gown or the cake, well….yes it is let’s be real not fake.
To win this wedding would mean so much
I think I would cry I’d be so touched
We work really hard day in and day out
To win would change our lives no doubt
Our love for each other is like not other We’re deserving of this wedding…just ask my mother Okay okay, all joking aside- We would love to be considered no word of a lie.

Mike and I have been together for over 5 years and in those 5 years have been through so much together.  They say that hardship breads perseverance, perseverance breads endurance and endurance hope and that has been the story of our lives.  Whatever hardships have come our way we have persevered, and endured through them all and in the end still come out hopeful.  Mike is the reason for that hopefulness. He has the kindest most sincere heart I know. He gives so much love and doesn’t require anything in return. He loves deeper and stronger than anyone I know!  Mike sincerely is my best friend and I am so lucky to spend the rest of my life with him.
 
When we first started dating I was in college and would frequently go to his work to get some school work done. After class one day I stopped by Mike’s work to finish writing a paper. I was in his office when one of his clients came in to his store. I couldn’t help but listen to the conversation. Mike’s client told him that he couldn’t pay his bill because he was going through a hard time and didn’t even have money to bring his two daughters to get lunch. Mike told the man that he didn’t need to worry about his bill and he reached in his wallet and gave the man the $40 left that was in his wallet and told the man to take his kids out to lunch. That was the day I fell in love with Mike and knew he was the one for me. He would give everything he could to help someone in need.

If we won this wedding it would mean so much to us. I feel as though Mike alone is deserving of this wedding. To be married in the Crown Plaza would be so special and to share it not only with our friends and family but everyone in southern New England would be so amazing and such an honor! I have dreamt of my wedding day since I was a little girl and I can’t wait to finally say the “I do’s!” If we won this wedding give-away, it honestly would be the best thing that has ever happened to us!

Thank you for your consideration and your time to read our story.

Tell us one of the funniest things that has ever happened to you as a couple?

July 4th 2009 was not the first time Mike proposed to me. We had been dating for about a week when he made is first proposal. We had gone on a double date with our friends for dinner and out for drinks. My washing machine was in the process of being fixed and I had limited clean clothes to wear. After an hour of searching I found the perfect outfit but was forced to go commando.
We had more drinks than dinner and Mike was confessing his deep admiration for me… everyone we walked by he would tell how cool I was and how lucky he was to have me. My girlfriend thought it was the funniest thing ever and she couldn’t stop laughing which instigated him even more. It was getting close to closing time when Mike decided that he was going to pick me up and carry me around like a pocket-book and confess his undying love for me and told everyone at the bar that he was going to marry me! But as he picked me up his hand got caught under my dress and as he was asking for my hand in marriage he showed the entire bar my tan-less derriere…

He was completely mortified the next morning when we all told him what he did… but somehow he knew that one day he would in fact marry me!