Guest Spotlights: Gabe, Staci & Molly Rowe

Staci is Nick's first cousin. She is Nick's Dad's sister's daughter. Melaina has been delighted to get to know Staci a little bit through their Facebook friendship and was excited to finally meet her in person at Nick and Melaina's wedding shower in Buffalo.

Gabe and Staci have known each other since they were kids. Gabe's step dad and Staci's dad worked together. Every summer their dad's work would have a company picnic at Darien Lake (a local theme park). At the company picnic in the summer of 1995, they saw each other a little more grown up. So they spent the entire day there together going on rides and hanging out. Gabe asked Staci’s dad if he could take her home. Staci thought he was *so* cool because he had his driver's license! Staci’s dad allowed it because he knew Gabe’s parents. The following weekend, Gabe & Staci went out and were together after that until 2002. They broke up, but kept tabs on each other through the years. They saw each other through birthday's, divorces, crazy girlfriends, stupid boy friends. They always ran back to each other but they "could never get it together." Then one night Staci went over to Gabe’s house for a few drinks and a bon fire. In the midst of a game of hide and go seek with the neighbors, Gabe said "just move in with me…let's just do it". Staci responded, "OK" and moved in the following weekend. They used to go camping every year back in the day. The next summer, while on a camping trip, Gabe asked Staci to marry him! Staci cried her eyes out and said yes. Then, one month before the wedding...they discovered, “SURPRISE WE’RE PREGNANT!”
Staci had to walk down the aisle barefoot because her feet were swollen! And now, 16 years since they first met, they are happily married and so in love with their daughter! Staci says, “The universe is good.” Staci gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Molly, in April 2011.

Be sure to say "hello" to this new Mom and Dad at the wedding!

Mother of the Groom: Joette Iannone

Joette raised two very smart, talented, caring young men; so she has clearly been a great mom to them both. Joette is incredibly generous and caring herself; and along with the help of her sisters, threw Nick and Melaina a beautiful wedding shower in Buffalo. Nick is tickled that his mom's generosity extends to continuing to make him an Easter basket every year.

Nick has fond memories of his mom taking him out to a fancy restaurant for his 8th birthday (or an age near there) when he got to try escargot for the first time. So he attributes his appreciation for fine foods to his mom.

Nick appreciates how his mom has encouraged his art and has fond memories of her taking him to art classes when he was about seven. Nick also appreciates how much his mom has continued to support his art by "pimping his stuff" by telling friends about his apps (and his podcasts when he was doing them).

Melaina is grateful for how warm and welcoming Joette has always been during their visits to Buffalo. Joette always makes us feel so at home.

Joette lives with her fiance, Craig Haynes, in Hamburg NY and works as a hair stylist and has also done some work training young, new hair stylists. Be sure to say "hello" to the mother of the groom while you're at the wedding!

Father of the Groom: Dan Iannone

Dan is Nick's Dad. Nick has especially fond memories of his Dad coming to his hockey games. Nick could always hear his dad cheering in the stands, especially Dan's signature cheer, "cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep." Nick worked for Dan for awhile at his Dad's appliance store. Nick enjoyed working with his Dad - and I'm certain not all sons could say that about their Dads!
Nick's Dad would always fix Nick's cars for him, as Dan used to be a car mechanic and owned two different car repair shops. Dan used to be a drag racer; he had a 1967 Camaro that he called the "Bad Habit."

Dan now lives in Buffalo with his long-time partner Tracy. We've enjoyed our multiple visits with the two of them. Tracy is an amazing cook, particularly her pork chops, greens and macaroni and cheese.

In this photo, Nick and his brother Anthony are shown with their Dad, Dan, and Tracy. Melaina took this photo during a visit to Buffalo in July of 2010.

We are looking forward to seeing them at our wedding in August. For some exciting stories, be sure to ask Nick's Dad about his drag racing years! I still want to hear more about that myself.