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A Tsunami Ranger Ties the Knot

Some people have the impression that Tsunami Rangers are freewheeling pirates who flit from anemone to anemone with reckless abandon.  But that image is blatantly false!  We take the matrimonial plunge with love and hope just as other people do.  A case in point:  Last Sunday evening (June 5th, 2011) Tsunami Ranger Don Kiesling tied the knot with his beloved, Stina Larson.   As they had been courting for over ten years, their wedding motto was “Get ‘er done.”  Truly inspiring words….

Tsunami Ranger Don Kiesling, a minute before the wedding ceremony

They got ‘er done at the Seattle Aquarium, right after closing time.  Imagine the beauty and the appropriateness of getting hitched in such a marvelous setting.  My wife Nancy and I arrived at 6:30 sharp with fellow Tsunami Rangers Jim Kakuk and Deb Volturno, and her friend Paula Renouf.  After mingling with the sea critters for a bit, we were seated for the big event. The wedding party and guests gathered at the end of the end of the pier, with the Olympian Mountains as the backdrop.  Scintillating!

Nancy wears a fascinator at the royal wedding!

Orchids draped in tall glass cylinders graced the isles.  Following Nordic tradition, and to ensure they have a long and happy marriage, Stina was walking to the altar arm in arm with her father when her wedding gown train brushed one of the cylinders, and it promptly fell over and broke, spilling water, flowers and glass everywhere.  We all roared with laughter, and the tension was broken.  A long and happy marriage was guaranteed.

Stina’s father walks her up the pier

The ceremony was fun and filled with love.  My wife immediately burst into tears right at the start.  Luckily, she was given a hanky; she needed it.  After the vows, the couple exchanged rings.  Stina’s ring was classic, crafted with gold and diamonds.  Don’s ring was, uh, unique.  He’s the only groom I have ever heard of who sports a wedding ring made of carbon fiber!  Awesome.

Stina and Don exchange wedding vows

At the reception, we were offered a selection of fine wines and hors d’oeuvres.   I chose a light and delicious pinot noir and enjoyed shrimp wrapped in bacon, the gateway meat.  Before dinner, aquarium docents treated us to a feeding of rare northern fur seals and sea otters.  Next, we sat down to a sumptuous meal.  I went light and had a bowl of crab and corn chowder, and a freshly-made pasta dish with mushrooms and spinach, topped with a basil pesto.  But it turned out there was more!  So for my second course I heaped my plate with salad greens, beef tenderloin, and freshly caught and grilled king salmon, with roasted taters on the side.  Yum.

After dinner, Stina’s dad and sister (who was the matron of honor) gave humorous speeches, and Don’s best man Cory blessed the wedding couple.  It was sweet, as was the array of wedding cupcakes, ranging from tangy lemon to smurfilicious coconut.  After the cupcakes, the newlyweds bravely danced a dance, and then the rest of us joined in.  We reluctantly said our good byes and retired to our hotel, happy and sated.

The Kieslings

Congratulations to Don and Stina Kiesling!

Please feel free offer your congratulations to Don and Stina by pushing the comment button below.

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Comments

  1. Don & Stina says

    Thanks so much for attending! We loved having some TR friends in attendance. And thanks for the good review.

  2. Jim Kakuk says

    Don and Stina, Beautiful Setting and fantastic weather for a great event. Wishing you both many years of happiness.

  4. Paula Renouf says

    Yes, a 5 Star Review!! for a most wonderful wedding.. Eric , what eloquence.. you captured the spirit, color, movement, atmosphere and intention of the evening so well..it was so much fun.. thank you again Don and Stina for a magnificent party!

    • Eric Soares says

      I echo Paula’s sentiments, Stina and Don. Thank you so much for inviting us to your wonderful wedding and perfect party. We were proud and happy to represent the Tsunami Rangers at such a joyous event.

  5. Nancy Soares says

    A unique and beautiful wedding. And as Eric says, awesome food! The setting couldn’t have been more impressive – what a great idea to have it at the Aquarium. Supporting a valuable part of the community and treating the guests to a super memorable experience at the same time. Imagine dining in front of a huge wall of glass behind which all kinds of sea critters were busily living their lives. The twinkling candles on the tables and the muted light of the aquarium made it feel as if we were dining in a magical undersea grotto in starlight. Also, I loved the arch of jellies where you could walk through a school of jellyfish enhanced by lights changing colors in the background. And feeding mussels to starfish – who gets to do that at a wedding??? It was great to see Jim and Deb and meet Paula and everyone else was so warm and friendly. And yes, I wept through the entire ceremony – I’m such a mushball. I especially liked the rephrased poem that Stina’s neice read (I know that poem – someone help me out here). It was so funny and sweet. Well done, Don and Stina! We know you’ll be very happy:)

  6. Moulton Avery says

    A very sweet and moving post, Eric. It renews my faith in the possibility of love.

  8. Dennis Kuhr says

    Don, the best to you and your wife Stina. May your love be profound and everlasting as you embark on the most grand, by far, committment of your lives. Mahalo, Dennis

  9. ann says

    Honestly Fat Paddler-cupcakes?!
    Make mine chocolate with chocolate frosting
    Congratulations Don & Stina-the weather was exceptional too!
    Ann

  11. micaila says

    You could have a second career as a society writer. The affair sounded truly lovely. The bride’s dress and bouquet were especially gorgeous, and the couple looks extremely happy! Nancy looked great too, her hat is awesome!

  12. Eric Soares says

    Ha ha! I don’t think I’m quite ready to be a society writer. I’m not expert enough on dress materials and designs, and I certainly don’t know the bigwigs around town. I watched the Prince William wedding reruns with Nancy and noted that many of the women were wearing “fascinators”–little hats with feathers, so I showed off my limited knowledge.

    All I know is I like the cupcake idea, and think that must be a fad. My niece Dionne got married a year ago and they also had wedding cupcakes (which were also delectable).