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Love: Weddings: Gabrielle Ficchi & Matthew Bremekamp

Hello there "You're wasting your time," 15-year-old Gaby repeatedly told her mom on the six-hour drive from Merion Station to Camp Shake-A-Leg in 2003. "You're not leaving me at therapy camp."

Gabrielle Ficchi & Matthew Bremekamp
Gabrielle Ficchi & Matthew BremekampRead moreMorby Photography

Hello there

"You're wasting your time," 15-year-old Gaby repeatedly told her mom on the six-hour drive from Merion Station to Camp Shake-A-Leg in 2003. "You're not leaving me at therapy camp."

Gaby was born with cerebral palsy, but using a walker, she'd been able to do nearly everything. Then in summer 2001, a complicated surgery designed to give her more freedom didn't go as planned. Her knees and hips were in more typical positions, but she was able to do fewer things, lacked her former endurance, and most often had to use a wheelchair.

Gaby was very angry. And she WAS NOT getting out of the car!

Matt, then 25, sensed what was happening and rolled his chair up to Gaby's window. Born and raised in Little Silver, N.J., Matt had no mobility issues until age 21 when, horsing around with friends, he landed wrong and injured his spinal cord at the base of his neck. Matt had attended Shake-A-Leg's adult session earlier that year. His enthusiasm and attitude led to an invitation to stay on as a youth camp mentor.

"I was new here this year, too," he told Gaby. "I wasn't sure how it would go, but I really loved it. And I promise if you get out of the car, you're going to love it, too."

"I still don't want to be here," Gaby told her little sister as Matt rolled away, "but he's really cute, so I guess I'll get out of the car."

Gaby loved camp. "For the first time in my life, I was with other people who really understood my circumstances," she remembered. They were all inspiring, especially Matt. "I figured if he could do it, I could do it," she said. "Even at 15, I wanted to impress him."

That she did, Matt said. And Gaby was fun to be around. "We always ended up on the same side of the room during activities, making each other laugh," he said.

At summer's end, she went back to Lower Merion High School and he to Brookdale Community College. Camp Shake-A-Leg didn't convene for the next two summers, but the friends kept in touch through AOL Instant Messenger.

When they saw each other again in summer 2006, Matt had spent a year studying English and media arts and playing wheelchair basketball at the University of Arizona. Gaby had graduated from high school and was now an adult camper.

"I remember when she turned the corner, and I was like, 'Whoa!' " Matt said. Gaby had gone from adorable kid to attractive young woman.

"I spent an hour and a half getting ready that morning," Gaby said.

It was an amazing summer. Late on the last night, they kissed in an otherwise deserted hallway.

He returned to Arizona. She began psychology studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. They were a couple during the 2007 camp session, but geography kept either from seeking a commitment. Then, during the 2008 Shake-A-Leg session, Gaby was accepted to the University of Arizona.

After one very happy semester in the same city, Matt needed back surgery. He would be in New Jersey a month, he figured. The surgeons found a bone infection. They were apart again for 18 months.

"I feel like that's when our relationship developed the most, as I got to be that support system for him," Gaby said. "I feel like we talked even more," Matt agreed.

While Matt focused on getting better, Gaby began her master's studies in rehabilitation counseling and working as an administrative assistant at the University Center for Excellence in Disability. Deciding to stay at Arizona for her Ph.D. in rehabilitation counseling and mental health, Gaby bought a house in Tucson.

When Matt was preparing to return, Gaby had a suggestion: "I have a spare bedroom," she said. "Why don't you just come here?"

"I was going to crash there when I first got to town until I found another place to stay," Matt said. "I've never left."

How does forever sound?

Matt, now 38, is an assistant coach of the University of Arizona wheelchair basketball team. He's also a recruiter for many adaptive athletic department sports and manages their social media.

Gaby, now 28, is a peer counselor with the Direct Center for Independence and a teaching graduate assistant. She will soon finish the doctorate she had just begun when Matt and Gaby came east for Christmas 2013, and, at a checkup with his surgeon, Matt was told that he needed more surgery.

"I was not going to be apart again," Gaby said. After the holidays, she and her sister flew west to close up the house, and she returned to Merion Station.

Matt had to be at University Hospital at 5:30 a.m. for his January surgery. When Gaby opened an eye, the clock said 5:15. "Matt, we have to go!" she said, nudging him awake.

As she buzzed around the hotel room quickly getting ready, Matt said, "I have something to give you."

"Can you give it to me later? We're late!" Gabby said. Then she looked at him. "He was holding a ring."

Matt had planned a more elaborate proposal, but he needed to make this commitment to Gaby before his surgery. "I was afraid that something could happen to me, and I wanted to make sure she knew that she was the love of my life," he said.

After three months as an inpatient and five more of postsurgical physical therapy, the couple moved back to Arizona in time for the fall semester.

It was so them

Gaby started planning her wedding at about age 10. When it was time to pick a venue for real, the winner had to be classy, chic, and accessible for all. She and her groom agreed the Loews Hotel Philadelphia was perfect for both ceremony and their 180-person reception.

She planned to walk down the aisle with her dad's support. With five minutes to go, she was so afraid of falling she nearly changed her mind. Her friends reminded her of the six months of leg workouts she'd done to prepare. Halfway down the aisle with no mishaps and increased confidence, she looked at Matt and burst simultaneously into a huge smile and sobs.

Daphney, the couple's 5-pound teacup Yorkie, was one of the flower girls.

The couple's centerpieces featured framed letters and cards they had written to each other, a chronology of their relationship.

After the newlyweds were introduced at the reception, Gaby's sister helped her onto Matt's lap. As "Wonderwall" played, the 17 members of their wedding party surrounded them in a circle of singing and dancing.

Awestruck

When Gaby beamed, Matt melted. "The feeling that gave me will be what I never forget," he said. "I was flushed with positive energy because she was just so, so happy, and crying tears of joy."

"I was so incredibly relieved when I made it down the aisle to Matt and Daphney, who was sitting on his lap. Me and my little family were really becoming a family," Gaby said.

The budget crunch

A bargain: Gaby was not looking for a dress bargain; years of watching Say Yes to the Dress led her to Kleinfeld's in New York, where she anticipated spending up to $9,000. But the dress she loved most was on sale, and came in under $5,000.

The splurge: Photographer Mike Morby was the most expensive the couple considered, but they loved him and his work so much there was really no other option.

Honeymoon

A week on a cruise ship and at a Bahamian resort.

Love: BEHIND THE SCENES

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Officiants: The couple wed in a self-unifying ceremony with friends Jessica Goodine and Liz Lima Remillard officiating.

Venue: Loews Philadelphia Hotel.

Food: Loews Philadelphia.

Photography: Morby Photography, Pottstown.

Videography: Clear Vision Videography.

Flowers: Beautiful Blooms, Philadelphia.

Dress: Designed by Pnina Tornai. Purchased at Kleinfeld Bridal, N.Y.

Music: DJ Atom Worth, Asbury Park.

Do you have the date? Email us - at least six weeks before your ceremony - why we should feature your love story: weddings@phillynews.com. Unfortunately, we can't respond individually to all submissions. If your story is chosen, you will be contacted.

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