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© St. Petersburg Times, published July 13, 2002
The spontaneous moments in life are the ones we often cherish most. If you take a beautiful lady and a handsome captain, add a romantic location filled with great people, and combined with the prospect of great fishing, you have a recipe for a waterfront proposal.
The proposal came from Capt. Ray Markham of Terra Ceia to Rebecca Moore of Dunedin during a writers festival sponsored by an artificial bait company in Jensen Beach last year.
Markham popped the question, Moore said yes, and that was all it took for Mark Nichols and the bait company staff to begin preparing for this year's festival and the wedding.
Nichols and Markham arranged the timing of the proposal to coincide with the festival.
Moore was caught off guard. Yes, the two had talked about marriage, but this was the magical moment. It caught the crowd off guard, too. Friends were surprised and delighted.
The bride and groom agreed there could be no better place to wed than at River Palm Cottages overlooking the St. Lucie River in Jensen Beach. It would be a casual affair, no family, just a mixed group of friends and acquaintances.
The wedding date was set for June 30 and the reception would follow the ceremony.
There were no tuxedos with bow ties, frilly dresses and flowers -- just polarized sunglasses, flats boats, rods and reels, the promise of warm moments and good fishing.
The bride looked beautiful. Her white dress flowed in the warm breeze that swayed the palms. Joy twinkled in her eyes.
Nichols and Joyce Chandler gave the bride away. Diana Berray was the maid of honor. Capt. Todd Woods of Tampa was the best man. The ceremony was wonderful and the couple's vows were written and whispered straight from their hearts.
There were close friends in the crowd along with people who barely knew the couple. It didn't matter. All that mattered was the coming together of two loving anglers in this magical setting.
Some brought gifts, others warm wishes and praise for the newlyweds and those who made the ceremony all that it was. New friendships were the gifts from the newlyweds to the crowd.
Simplicity is a wonderful thing. It allows for the true essence of a moment to be exposed. And when the essence of a moment is exposed, so, too, is the heart. That is what this wedding was about, getting to the heart and essence of one of life's most beautiful moments.
It's one thing to marry by a lake or at a beach for the ambiance, but it's another to do so because that is the life you lead. Markham is a professional fishing guide. Moore came from a waterfront community. Both love the outdoor life.
Let's raise our rod tips high in celebration for the newlyweds, and may there be many fish in their future.