We were matched and started corresponding in August of 2004.  Even though we were outside the other's desired distance of 60 miles (geographically undesirable?) the photos we used on the eHarmony site were of Mannan flying an airplane and Becky standing on the deck of a sailboat.  This was too interesting to pass up!

Mannan was building a two-seat airplane, a fast 200mph traveling machine, an RV-8 that is now finished and we enjoy flying together.  Becky had lived on a 38 foot sailboat in the Caribbean for 6 years.  We are not two couch potatoes.  As we got to know each other, we found that we are much alike in many ways with just enough difference thrown in to keep it interesting.

Our wedding day took place in the mountains of Northeast Georgia where we live and was very warm and breezy.  It was not a good combination for a wedding that was planned to take place in the hot air balloon of our friend and fellow airplane pilot David Bristol.  Just before sundown, the winds diminished and we were married and took off into the setting sun.

Family and friends joined us for our backward wedding.  You see, usually there is the ceremony, then the reception/party and then the couple leaves on the honeymoon.  Well, believe it or not, ours was different.  We had a BBQ luncheon (the reception), had everyone check out the airplane that was close to completion, got married and took off.

Becky's brother Alan is an ordained minister and conducted the ceremony with the help of a pilot friend and minister, Greg.  Other pilots’ friends helped get the hot air balloon ready and held it down during the ceremony.   In order to keep the balloon inflated, David gave a sign to Alan to stop talking while he gave it a burst of hot air.  All went well in our "off and on" ceremony and we took off at dusk.

The winds took us in the direction of our home and if it hadn't been for the electrical wires, we would have been able to land in our own front yard.  We did land on a neighbor's property a few farms south.

We don't know what gets more remarks when we tell new people about our wedding; meeting on eHarmony or the hot air balloon wedding.

Becky & Mannan