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tdy_wedding04_couples[i-1].body = "For the fifth year in a row, we’re hosting a special series to help people learn how to plan a wedding. And this year we have a special twist: It's a destination wedding! Throughout this special series, \"Today\" show guests will offer helpful advice and guide viewers through the entire process of planning a wedding, and we invite you to share in the fun.";
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tdy_wedding04_couples[i-1].body = "John Davis, 31 and Rachel Henn, 27
It was a Sunday night two years ago and Rachel Henn had just finished her shift at the Long Island restaurant where she worked. She and her girlfriend had made it a Sunday night tradition to meet at the bar at the end of the night. Meanwhile sitting a few seats over was a guy named John and some of his friends – one of whom Rachel remembered from a party she hosted years earlier. The two groups began talking and to break the ice with Rachel, John borrowed a moment from an old movie and asked if she had a cigarette. Rachel was impressed with John's demeanor as John was moved by Rachel's engaging personality.
The following couple of Sundays John returned to the restaurant hoping to run into Rachel. He did, but she dismissed him. It wasn't until the third Sunday that Rachel realized he was actually coming by to meet her. During the first month John and Rachel became good friends. Things didn't start to heat up until Rachel's birthday. To celebrate Rachel invited a bunch of friends, including John and his buddies, to a local beach. It wasn't long before the two of them wandered off for a walk that lasted until sunrise. As the sun came up over the ocean, they shared their first kiss and this friendship turned into a romance. A year later, Rachel told John about the dream she had months before she met him. A tall handsome Asian man was standing in a huge foyer tiled in black and white. It seemed as if he was waiting for her and in her dream she yelled down to him \"Be right there.\" When she awakened, she was so perplexed that the dream stayed with her. Little did she know dreams do come true.
In February, John was ready to pop the question but before he did, he knew he had to ask Rachel's parents' permission. Since they were planning a trip to their house in Maine, John thought it would be the perfect time. He finally got Rachel's dad alone and with heart racing and palms sweating, began his question, but Rachel's dad sternly barked back \"Speak up son. I can't hear you.\" As if once wasn't difficult enough, John, now dripping in sweat, asked again. Rachel's dad replied with, \"Welcome to the family. I'd be proud to call you a son-in-law.\"
And he and Rachel's mom aren't the only family he's gaining. John, an only child adopted from Korea, can now count Rachel's nine brothers and sisters among his clan.
This will be a first marriage for both. ";
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tdy_wedding04_couples[i-1].body = "William Peppler, 30 and Danielle Demaree, 28
It is every high school girl's nightmare. Sophomore meets cute upperclassman, falls in crush, and gets broken heart.
Danielle Demaree and Bill Peppler first met in high school in Florida. He was the \"big bad senior soccer player – Mr. Cool\" and she was the adoring sophomore. Danielle admired Bill from afar until a simple kiss changed all that.
One Friday night, at a school dance, Danielle finally got her chance to talk with the soccer jock. They were out in the parking lot and their conversation led to a sweet kiss goodnight. Danielle's heart pounded as she ran home excited to see Bill in school the following Monday.
But on Monday her heart was crushed. Bill and his pack of friends passed Danielle in the hallway and all Bill managed to mutter was, \"Hey, how are you?\" That was it! Danielle would never talk to him again – even when their paths crossed years later in college.
Bill left Florida and spent 9 years living all over the country before returning to his home state to be closer to his family. It was the Thanksgiving Day holiday and at the urging of his friends, Bill showed up at a local watering hole. He remembers Danielle walking in and \"it was like the water parted.\" He looked at her and wondered \"My gosh, what was I thinking nine years ago?!\" But Danielle remained guarded and as Bill says \"very business like.\" He struck up a conversation with her, secretly hoping she was single. She was and Danielle dropped her grudge and accepted his invitation to meet for coffee.
It's been three years and they've been together ever since ... even though as she jokes, \"he dated almost all of my friends in high school!\"
Danielle says the worst thing that's ever happened to her is watching her mom give up her life to care unselfishly for her sister with Downs Syndrome and her dad who has MS. The best thing is learning strength and courage from her mom.
When Danielle isn't busy at work in her medical marketing job and Bill isn't utilizing his masters in business, the two can be found house hunting since their Valentine's Day engagement. This will be the first marriage for both and if they don't get married on “Today,” they'll plan an intimate affair in January 2005.";
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tdy_wedding04_couples[i-1].body = "Frank Beckton, 34 and Nicole Woods, 29
Nicole Woods was just out of high school when she met Frank Beckton. She was waiting tables at a California eatery – the same one where Frank's best friend Morris begged Frank to meet him for lunch.
Just as the two friends walked into the restaurant, Nicole had begrudgingly agreed to help out a co-worker and take on his hours. This despite her plans to spend the day in the sun. But it was probably one of the best decisions she's ever made.
When Nicole first spotted Frank, she thought \"I'm so glad I picked up this extra shift!\" When Frank first noticed Nicole he thought \"what a great smile!\" But she had braces and Frank wasn't quite sure she was old enough to date. Even though there was an attraction between the two, it was Morris who became quite chatty with Nicole. Eventually, she realized Morris was trying to set her up with Frank. He then suggested she give Frank her phone number. Nicole very willingly wrote it down on a paper coaster and handed it over.
Nicole didn't mind being put on the spot, but she was appreciative of Frank's thoughtful handshake and apology for his friend's behavior as they headed out the door. He even offered to give her the coaster back, but Nicole insisted he keep it. Two days later he called.
That was 11 years ago. In 1999, Nicole graduated cum laude with a B.A. in the History of Art/Critical Theory. For the following two years she taught British literature and art history. These days she's a fiancée and a doctoral student in art history and Frank is a teacher working toward his masters in special education.
Two years ago Frank asked Nicole's dad for her hand in marriage. The blessing went smoothly, but it was the actual engagement that hit a bump. Frank and Nicole were fueling up at a Santa Barbara gas station when a woman driving intoxicated slammed into their car. It was just then that Frank asked Nicole to be his wife and as tears filled her eyes, he slipped a beautiful ring on her finger.
This will be the first marriage for both and if they don't get married on “Today,” they plan on eloping in New York City with a reception to follow at home in California.
Nicole and Frank say surviving an interracial partnership can be exhausting and terrifying at times, but trust in themselves, their love and in their strengths to be an inspiration to others.";
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tdy_wedding04_couples[i-1].body = "Corporal Roger \"Buddy\" Butler, 27 and Nikki Hensley, 29
After the tragic events of 9/11, Buddy Butler wanted to help his country so he decided to join the U.S. Army. He was just back from Korea when he attended his cousin Reb's wedding. It was there he spotted Nikki Hensley in a beautiful black dress. He'd been trying to talk with her all night, but couldn't get up the nerve until he asked his cousin to introduce him. Buddy then had the courage to ask Nikki to dance. Nikki says she was so nervous because, \"he's got the most beautiful eyes, and I was all smitten from the get go.\" They danced, but Nikki had to leave the wedding early to get her 5-year-old daughter Addison to bed. The next day at work, Nikki told some of her co-workers she met the man she was going to marry.
A week later, Nikki was at Reb's house and asked him what Buddy's dating status was like. Reb immediately phoned Buddy in Fort Campbell and put an incredulous Nikki on the phone with him. Buddy didn't get Nikki's phone number at the wedding and had wanted to ask her out on a formal date. So he used this opportunity to ask her to accompany he and his friend on a double date to Nashville to see the Fourth of July fireworks. From that date on, Buddy and Nikki talked every day. Three weeks later Buddy found out he was being deployed to Iraq. Both were heart broken.
Nikki drove Buddy to the base where he told her, \"Whenever I leave I never look back. It's better to say goodbye and just walk away. But leave it to my dad to yell something at me, and I had to look back. I just wanted to ... and I saw her one last time before I left.\"
While he was away, Nikki didn't get to speak with Buddy much so she stayed in touch with his family and made sure to send as many care packages as possible.
Six months later Buddy returned and when he stepped off the plane, and looked down and saw Nikki standing with his mom, he knew at that moment he was going to marry her. He followed through on that feeling when he took Nikki to a park and gave her a penny to make a wish on and throw into a fountain. She wished that he wouldn't have to go back to Iraq and when she turned around Buddy was on one knee. \"It was the smartest decision I ever made,\" says Buddy. He can't wait to make Nikki and Addison a part of his life. These days Addison spends most of her time practicing for the wedding.
This will be a first marriage for Buddy. Nikki's first marriage ended in divorce."; // END editorial data