[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” el_id=”introduction”][vc_column][rev_slider slidertitle=”Intro” alias=”intro”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” el_id=”update” el_class=”vertical-padding”][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”An Update” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”49″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” el_class=”title-divider” css=”.vc_custom_1545056295814{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_id=”h3″]
A mostly-virtual wedding, fully realized
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Yes! We are married!!
In this new normal, though, we had to let go of the dream of celebrating in-person with a large host of our closest friends and family. Due to Covid restrictions at Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, we were only allowed a small number of people at our ceremony.
Fortunately, technology is a wonder, and Stern Chapel could not be designed better for Zoom events (those screens are perfect, right?!).
Nearly a hundred of you joined us virtually for that magical day. And in a way that we could not have predicted, it was simultaneously both intimate and grand. It was shared, special, and significant in every single way one hopes their wedding day will be.
And then, when we were running behind for the virtual reception at the Pittman Hotel, so many of you waited for us.
When the Zoom screen populated with all of your faces at our reception, it meant the world to us.
Our hearts were filled with gratitude in ways we simply did not know were possible. As we toasted together, cut cake, danced to the Peanuts song, and took turns sharing what we were grateful for, our gratitude-fest was filled with laughter and joy. Having to repeatedly pivot to figure out how to celebrate our wedding with all of friends and family was a challenge.
But thanks to having the world’s greatest partner–and all of you–we took our lemons and made some astonishing lemonade! (It probably helped that Irene actually LOVES❤️🍋 lemons.)
Still, Irene and I were gifted the opportunity to demonstrate #BetterTogether from day one of being married.
As Tova said, “There is so much love here today! You can feel it through the screens!” Indeed, it was overflowing.
Thank you to all of you for carving out time to be present for us on that day. To witness for us. To join us on what we now often refer to as “the best day.” It was indeed just that.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” el_class=”vertical-padding” el_id=”story” css=”.vc_custom_1603994760570{margin-top: -10px !important;padding-top: -10px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Our Story” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”49″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” el_class=”title-divider” css=”.vc_custom_1545056295814{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_column_text]
The gift of a second chance
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1604039293285{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Irene and I originally dated 27 years ago, but truth be told: my life was a train wreck. Addicted to many substances, I could not stay sober. Like most active alcoholics, I did terrible things, and some of those to her. The pain of doing those very things actually snapped me into sobriety, but Irene had moved on—rightfully so. Two years ago, I shared an apology story on Tablet Magazine’s widely popular Jewish podcast Unorthodox.
Irene happened upon it and reached out. Realizing I owed her long-overdue amends, two months later, we met at Café Brazil on Central for what she called “the gift she never thought she’d get in this lifetime.” I apologized.
In that conversation, though, we both realized something else: after all these years, there was something between us. A resonance. Looking across the table, watching her, could only be described like this…
Imagine for a moment that your heart has amnesia, but your heart doesn’t know it, until one day, it happens to knock on the door of its home, completely by accident. And in that instant, your heart realizes that for 25 years, it’s been lost, but it didn’t even know. That is what it was like…like waking from a dream…and finding your way home. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1548679439612{background-color: #f9f2eb !important;background-position: 0 0 !important;background-repeat: repeat !important;}” el_class=”vertical-padding” el_id=”timeline”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1545813708455{padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_row_inner container_type=”fluid”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Heading home…” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
From that day forward, we began texting, and then calling…and not a day since has passed that we have not been in touch. When your heart has finally #FoundHome, you stick pretty close…
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We Reconnect
December 2018
For her birthday, I invited Irene to meet in Little Rock, where Finding Neverland was touring. Sitting beside me during the show, she laughed and took my hand—and it was as if she reached within me and played strings inside my heart I didn’t even know existed.
The next day, we hiked to Cedar Falls at Petit Jean State Park. We couldn’t stop smiling…[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_single_image image=”910″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top”][vc_column_inner el_class=”timeline-left” width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1547558398920{margin-right: -1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-right-color: #d4cdc5 !important;border-right-style: solid !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1603872327362{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;}”]
Austin Half Marathon 
January 2019
Next month, Irene invited me to watch her run the Half Marathon in Austin. She topped her personal record, finishing in under two hours. (Notice in the pic, she’s not even touching the ground. ?)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”917″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1603830848187{margin-top: 25px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/LK311HAQmOE”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1603999718502{margin-top: 25px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 25px !important;}”]
A Hamilton Valentine’s Weekend
February 2019
For Valentine’s Day, I invited Irene to see Hamilton in Chicago. At my first suggestion of this, she thought I was kidding. We had fourth-row seats, and the show was astonishing…but my view was the best of all: Seated beside me was the most beautiful person I’d ever seen.
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Miles and Miles of Love 
Spring & Summer 2019
That spring & summer, we traveled quite a bit, attended a stunningly beautiful wedding, took a break on Table Rock Lake, and escaped for a long weekend in Maine.
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The Proposal
November 2019
By fall of last year, there wasn’t any question about my future: It was simply a matter of going home. This is the video I made for Irene. This is how I proposed. (Well, right after the video, on one knee, ring in hand.)
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An Unorthodox Appearance 
November 2019
If it weren’t for the Unorthodox Podcast, perhaps Irene and I would not have reconnected. When I informed the hosts and producers of our good fortune…of the fact that, thanks to them, I had found my “beshert,” they invited us to be special guests on a live show that next day in Cincinnati. It was a magical weekend to remember…
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Getting Married, Take One
May 24, 2020
In the Pre-Covid world, we were scheduled to be married on May 24 and celebrate with over a hundred of you—our closest friends and family. We were so excited and looking forward to that day. For all the obvious reasons, we postponed our date, but when it came up on the calendar, we did have a small celebration at home.
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Getting Married, Take Two 
December 6, 2020
When we considered dates for rescheduling, December 6—Irene’s birthday—was available. I’ve always remembered her birthday—and believed it extra-special—because her date, 12-6, when added together, totals 18.
And in Judaism, the number 18 holds great significance. In Hebrew…הי…it reads as “chai,” which signifies life—and symbolizes being alive. And there is no one more alive than Irene. Getting married on her birthday will be perfect.
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And now we are just counting down the days…
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For those attending in person,
here are the locations for our events…
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12:30 PM
Stern Chapel @ Temple Emanu-El
8500 Hillcrest Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
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2:30 PM
Kimpton Pittman Hotel Dallas (Jr Ballroom A)
2551 Elm Street
Dallas, Texas 75226
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There is a block of rooms reserved at a special rate
at the Kimpton Pittman Hotel.
You can reserve in the block by clicking on this link: Irene+Hal Wedding Room Block Link
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We are more into experiences than material things. So, you attending our wedding—either in person or virtually—is enough.
But if you must know… we are registered through Zola for a few things…
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Photos captured from our best moments in our relationship.
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