In 2002, a chance conversation with my cousin Paul sparked an idea. If I could get Fern to New York City while Paul was there...

We landed into JFK around 2.30pm local time and had until 4pm to get to City Hall and get a wedding permit. With the permit in hand we had to pay a bond a few streets away then get back to City Hall before it closed for the day in order to get permission to marry in New York City.

It was Thanksgiving the following day and if we didn't get back in time, we wouldn't be getting married.