Love in the Air

Collier County Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel hosted and officiated at the Fourth Annual Valentine’s Day Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremony held at the Eva Sugden Gomez Center at Baker Park. Kinzel greeted the joyful pre-registered crowd before the official ceremonies began and went over the well-organized sequence of events culminating in a joint reception with refreshments and music.

Smiles were beaming from the following engaged and duly licensed couples spanning a few generations:

Joanmari Roldán and Mario Alberto Marcial Avila; Martha Hoffman and Jeff Sprung; Sunny Raga and David Lopez; Melissa Raynor and Robert Hinton; Odette Delgado and Juan Jose Cumbres; Valery Mella Aquino and Omar Eduardo Pacheco Matheus; and, Shari Cosme and William Munks, who were individually announced and first made their way down the aisle. Kinzel guided them in the exchange of vows, rings were exchanged, and they were pronounced husband and wife “on this special day to celebrate their love and commitment.”  A book will be created for the couples to commemorate these moments, including a photograph with the lovely three-tiered wedding cake.

The next two groups, each comprised of 18 married couples diverse in age and longevity, proceeded to renew their time-honored vows and exchange new or cherished rings after they were each announced while making their way down the aisle. There was applause from the invited guests witnessing the events, and a huge resounding round for all the couples after Kinzel thanked them and all the local organizations and businesses who have contributed “year after year,” to the success of this special annual celebration. Door prizes were also donated as special wedding gifts to lucky couples, which included a $150 gift certificate for Bistro821; $50 for Margaritaville; $100 for Driftwood Nursery; and four family passes to the Naples Zoo. “Let them know you appreciate them,” Kinzel added. 

Ruthanne and Ken Ginsberg were one of the couples renewing their vows after 55 years. “It was Ken who signed us up,” Ruthanne explained with warm appreciation. Before settling in Naples, they spent some time on Marco Island when first relocating from New Jersey in 2000. “We love the beauty of this area,” Ken adds, “and it is so great to share it with someone you love. We have each other. Some people don’t have that special someone.” Ruthanne recently wrestled with a case of melanoma on her hand and wrist and is now cancer-free. “My experience makes this day even more meaningful for us,” she stated emphatically with a triumphant smile.

The day was indeed glorious, sunny and full of life and love. Congrats and best wishes to all.