8 years ago today I was standing in the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas, surrounded by friends, surprising my husband-to-be with a full-on showgirl costume (including headpiece with 6 feet of feathers floating behind me) for our wedding.
When Klaus first proposed to me I thought he was kidding. He had been drinking and was in a very happy mood, so I told him that he should ask me again in the morning – and that I would absolutely say yes if he did. If he didn’t ask that would be ok, then I would know it was just the alcohol talking.
I woke up the next day and the first thing he did was ask me to marry him – again. As promised, I said yes, and then he insisted on calling my parents to ask for my hand. Funny but very sweet. Every call was answered in the same way – Klaus would call, announce that he wanted to marry me, and then – laughter. Everyone thought for sure that he was joking. Once they realized that this was not a joke, that he was really asking sincerely, then the crying and happiness started. My stepfather was critically ill at the time (he had lung cancer and passed away not long after) and was very, very touched that Klaus called.
As for a wedding, Klaus immediately thought Vegas. Sounds good to me. Then he added the words “drive through”. I countered with “Elvis”. And so we were married at the Viva Las Vegas wedding chapel in downtown Las Vegas – by Elvis – on July 21, 2001 at 3:30PM. White-jumpsuited, singin’ and dancin’ Elvis. And it was AWESOME. I kept on my showgirl costume for the entire day – getting followed by casino security everywhere I went – and we emptied the bar at the top of the Stratosphere.
Today is the toughest day I have had in awhile – Klaus’ birthday was hard too – but lots of happiness when I think about that day.
Happy Anniversary Klaus
Love,
Lulu
