We selected St. Paul's after looking at just about everywhere else. Credit Barb Kolbet for telling Katie and I to look here. As soon as we went inside and saw the wooden pews, stained glass windows, large sanctuary with a balcony and an alter with three levels, we knew this was the place.

We put a deposit down on our May 26, 2001 wedding the first day we visited. We were pulling out of the parking lot, happy that we got a big part of the wedding completed, when the church secretary came running out of the back of the church.

I thought "Oh man, what happened" as she ran to our car.

"Your date is taken," she said, exasperated. "I'm so sorry."

Great, just what we needed. We found the perfect place, reserved it, and then lost it. But Katie, not wanting to believe that it was true looked at the reservation book to see who stole our date. Barb Kolbet it read. My mom.

She had called to see if the date was open and the studious secretary had reserved it for her. But I guess it all worked out.