Posted on Wed, Oct. 15, 2008
Hello there
Christina, a former competitive gymnast who grew up in Phoenixville, and Malcolm, a professional skateboarder from Los Angeles, met in 1999 at a sports camp in Centre County. She was a gymnastics coach, and he a visiting professional. They became friends who kept in touch through e-mail and Christmas cards - even after she decided to get a second bachelor's degree in nursing in 2003 and stopped going to camp.
Christina was working in Chicago in the summer of 2006 when she decided to take a vacation and coach gymnastics again. It had been two years since she and Malcolm saw each other. Upon their reunion, Malcolm, who was still in L.A., gave Christina a big hug. They spent that night sitting on one of the skateboard ramps, looking up at the stars and moon, and - don't tell the campers! - smooching. By the end of the week, the two were asking a rather complicated question: Now what are we going to do? The answer: Meet in Vegas! And they did, that fall. By February 2007, Christina decided to become a traveling nurse. She works for a company called Cross Country TravCorps, and because nurses are in demand, they can find her three-month assignments just about anywhere. She took a job near L.A.
How does forever sound?
In December 2007, Christina, 28, suggested that the couple do something great for Malcolm's 30th birthday. They decided to go back to their rendezvous destination - Las Vegas. The first time they were there, they talked on a bench at Starbucks for three hours. "He was insistent about going back to the Starbucks," Christina said. "It was a lot colder than it had been the last time, and I just wanted to get our coffee and keep on moving." Malcolm wanted to sit awhile. Christina relented. And Malcolm started talking about the future. "Out of nowhere, he flies off of the bench, and gets on one knee. I don't know what he said; I just busted out in tears, and started saying 'Yes! Yes! Yes!' before he could even ask."
At home
Malcolm says the couple are like feathers - they just land wherever his skateboarding career takes them. In the last year, they have lived in Danville, Pa. (close to camp), New York, L.A., and Philadelphia. They are now living in Queens.
It was so them
The wedding, at the Kimberton Arts Building in Kimberton, Chester County, was a blend of cultures and sports. Christina's family is Italian and Chinese. Malcolm is African American. The gymnastic friends were there in force, and so were the skateboarders.
At the reception, Christina, her four siblings, and her parents performed a dance - a routine they put together to Crank That (Soulja Boy), by Soulja Boy.
Several of Christina's Italian uncles - and one of her Chinese ones - passed out lyric sheets and led a sing-along of That's Amore and Ay Compare, complete with performances of air guitar, air piccolo and air violin.
This didn't happen at rehearsal
The wedding was set for 5:30 p.m. At 2:30, groomsman Casey called to say the tailor had misplaced his suit. The tailor eventually found it, but Casey was only just leaving New York City.
Malcolm asked Christina's brother Michael to fill in if necessary. Casey walked in just as the ceremony was about to begin.
Awestruck
The bride and groom are still saying, "We can't believe we're married!"
Discretionary spending
A bargain: The location. "It was half of what everyone else had quoted me," Christina said.
The splurge: Their rings - they got exactly what they wanted. Both his and hers are white gold with diamonds.
The getaway
Five days in Puerto Rico, followed immediately by the move to Queens, a test on interpreting cardiac rhythms that Christina had to pass to keep her job (she did!), and a skateboarding competition for Malcolm. Despite a week off from skating, he took fifth place.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Officiant
Bruce Carter, pastor of Valley View Community Church in Oaks, Pa.
Venue
Kimberton Arts Building, Kimberton, Pa.
Catering
Sharon's Catering at the Kimberton Arts Building.
Photographs
Jeff Brockmeyer of St. Louis.
Music
T-Tyme Entertainment, James Fields, Phoenixville.
Dress
David's Bridal, Plymouth Meeting.
Invitations
The bride and groom printed their own.
SPORTS
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