Faithless
07-23-2006, 09:14 PM
... wedding. :eek:
The 20-year-olds met as high school juniors about four years ago, began dating just before starting college and got engaged last year. They're best friends and soul mates and are deeply in love, but they have never done one thing most couples do: kiss.
Couple's first kiss to come at wedding -- After two 20-year-olds exchange vows next Sunday, they'll lock lips for the first time. And they say waiting just makes it all the sweeter. (http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/15098468.htm)
Posted on Sun, Jul. 23, 2006 | BY NANCY YANG | Pioneer Press
"You may now kiss the bride" is going to a whole new level with Stephanie Harasyn and JJ LaBouliere.
The 20-year-olds met as high school juniors about four years ago, began dating just before starting college and got engaged last year. They're best friends and soul mates and are deeply in love, but they have never done one thing most couples do: kiss.
They will for the first time July 30, when they exchange their vows.
Harasyn, who lives in Woodbury, was 11 when she heard from an older cousin about waiting until marriage for her first kiss. "I thought: 'Whoa. That would be so cool to tell my kids that the only person I've ever kissed was their dad.'
"And to get your first kiss ever on your wedding day? That's so cool to me," she said.
Harasyn and LaBouliere met at New Life Academy in Woodbury. He was a new student in a class of about 36, sticking out among the others.
"It sounds so cliché, but on my first day my junior year, I saw her and thought she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen," LaBouliere said.
As seniors, they were cast opposite each other in a school play and became friends. It was while they were growing closer that LaBouliere learned of Harasyn's vow to save her first kiss for her wedding day.
They began dating the summer before their freshman year at different Twin Cities universities: Harasyn attends Bethel University and wants to teach physical education someday; LaBouliere goes to the University of St. Thomas, where he is studying mechanical engineering.
LaBouliere said he had reservations at first about not kissing Harasyn — he had kissed other girls he dated. But "as we grew closer," he said, "it became more than worth it."
Part of that is because of the stronger relationship that has grown from spending more time communicating, bonding and developing deeper respect for each other, they said. And while the two don't kiss, they do hug and hold hands.
Sherri Nicholson knows what they're talking about. She and her husband, Jason, waited until their wedding day two years ago for their first kiss. The Nicholsons, who met at school in Minnesota and now live in South Carolina, became parents about a year ago.
"It is pretty special, because not having a lot of physical affection in your dating relationship, you really develop a lot of communication," she said. "I actually got Lyme disease two months into our marriage and was really sick.
"I was thankful for our relationship of friendship and communication because that really is much more lasting and important."
Some counselors agree that the approach could have benefits; others say it might not make much difference in the strength of the relationship in the long run.
"They have developed something that most couples don't — and this is the part that is really wonderful — they had to spend their time doing other things," said Karen Gail Lewis, a longtime marriage and family therapist who has also written books about relationships but does not know Harasyn and LaBouliere. "They had to spend their time having good times together."
Other experts caution, however, that the choice could lead to problems with expectations or physical intimacy for some couples.
"Physical chemistry is a huge part of whether a relationship works or not and frankly, kissing should be a 'try before you buy' scenario," said Lisa Daily, a syndicated dating columnist and author.
LaBouliere and Harasyn say they get an array of opinions when they tell people about their vow. Some are inspired by it; others question it.
"At first, my friends thought it was a little odd that we were going to go from doing nothing to everything," LaBouliere said.
And as the wedding approaches, the nerves are showing up — especially as Harasyn knows her first kiss will be before friends and family. "I keep wanting to plan it, telling him maybe we should count or something," Harasyn admitted. "But JJ's like, 'You can't do that.' "
Alison Neibling, Harasyn's best friend and maid of honor, said her bridesmaids have come up with their own ideas to ensure the kiss goes smoothly.
"One of the bridesmaids … said if it gets too long, she'll just clear her throat," Neibling joked. "Or I said that maybe I'll count out loud."
Teasing aside, LaBouliere said he is certain everything will work out because of the moment's significance.
"When you're looking forward to that first kiss, it's just so much more special and exciting," he said. "I have so much to look forward to."
The 20-year-olds met as high school juniors about four years ago, began dating just before starting college and got engaged last year. They're best friends and soul mates and are deeply in love, but they have never done one thing most couples do: kiss.
Couple's first kiss to come at wedding -- After two 20-year-olds exchange vows next Sunday, they'll lock lips for the first time. And they say waiting just makes it all the sweeter. (http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/15098468.htm)
Posted on Sun, Jul. 23, 2006 | BY NANCY YANG | Pioneer Press
"You may now kiss the bride" is going to a whole new level with Stephanie Harasyn and JJ LaBouliere.
The 20-year-olds met as high school juniors about four years ago, began dating just before starting college and got engaged last year. They're best friends and soul mates and are deeply in love, but they have never done one thing most couples do: kiss.
They will for the first time July 30, when they exchange their vows.
Harasyn, who lives in Woodbury, was 11 when she heard from an older cousin about waiting until marriage for her first kiss. "I thought: 'Whoa. That would be so cool to tell my kids that the only person I've ever kissed was their dad.'
"And to get your first kiss ever on your wedding day? That's so cool to me," she said.
Harasyn and LaBouliere met at New Life Academy in Woodbury. He was a new student in a class of about 36, sticking out among the others.
"It sounds so cliché, but on my first day my junior year, I saw her and thought she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen," LaBouliere said.
As seniors, they were cast opposite each other in a school play and became friends. It was while they were growing closer that LaBouliere learned of Harasyn's vow to save her first kiss for her wedding day.
They began dating the summer before their freshman year at different Twin Cities universities: Harasyn attends Bethel University and wants to teach physical education someday; LaBouliere goes to the University of St. Thomas, where he is studying mechanical engineering.
LaBouliere said he had reservations at first about not kissing Harasyn — he had kissed other girls he dated. But "as we grew closer," he said, "it became more than worth it."
Part of that is because of the stronger relationship that has grown from spending more time communicating, bonding and developing deeper respect for each other, they said. And while the two don't kiss, they do hug and hold hands.
Sherri Nicholson knows what they're talking about. She and her husband, Jason, waited until their wedding day two years ago for their first kiss. The Nicholsons, who met at school in Minnesota and now live in South Carolina, became parents about a year ago.
"It is pretty special, because not having a lot of physical affection in your dating relationship, you really develop a lot of communication," she said. "I actually got Lyme disease two months into our marriage and was really sick.
"I was thankful for our relationship of friendship and communication because that really is much more lasting and important."
Some counselors agree that the approach could have benefits; others say it might not make much difference in the strength of the relationship in the long run.
"They have developed something that most couples don't — and this is the part that is really wonderful — they had to spend their time doing other things," said Karen Gail Lewis, a longtime marriage and family therapist who has also written books about relationships but does not know Harasyn and LaBouliere. "They had to spend their time having good times together."
Other experts caution, however, that the choice could lead to problems with expectations or physical intimacy for some couples.
"Physical chemistry is a huge part of whether a relationship works or not and frankly, kissing should be a 'try before you buy' scenario," said Lisa Daily, a syndicated dating columnist and author.
LaBouliere and Harasyn say they get an array of opinions when they tell people about their vow. Some are inspired by it; others question it.
"At first, my friends thought it was a little odd that we were going to go from doing nothing to everything," LaBouliere said.
And as the wedding approaches, the nerves are showing up — especially as Harasyn knows her first kiss will be before friends and family. "I keep wanting to plan it, telling him maybe we should count or something," Harasyn admitted. "But JJ's like, 'You can't do that.' "
Alison Neibling, Harasyn's best friend and maid of honor, said her bridesmaids have come up with their own ideas to ensure the kiss goes smoothly.
"One of the bridesmaids … said if it gets too long, she'll just clear her throat," Neibling joked. "Or I said that maybe I'll count out loud."
Teasing aside, LaBouliere said he is certain everything will work out because of the moment's significance.
"When you're looking forward to that first kiss, it's just so much more special and exciting," he said. "I have so much to look forward to."