Laura & Anthony | A Wedding in Mooste Folk House
It was around 2015, and Anthony came from Tallinn to play music at Tartu International Fellowship’s (Laura’s Church) service. Afterward, we were sitting in a group, and Laura asked Anthony, “Did you come to Tartu by car?” “No”, Anthony replied, “I came by bicycle”. And it was at that moment that Laura realized how funny Anthony (thought he) was. And that was the first conversation. Then Anthony went home. Very romantic.
“Anthony made it clear that he was quite capable of sorting out his own love life, and didn’t need help from her. Thankfully, Reena ignored him.”
Reena, who is part of Laura’s church in Tartu, obviously saw some potential that neither Anthony nor Laura had noticed. And, over the next couple of years, she began to ask both of them whether they had noticed each other, and whether they wanted to be introduced. Laura listened and thought politely about Reena’s suggestion, while Anthony made it clear that he was quite capable of sorting out his own love life, and didn’t need help from her. Thankfully, Reena ignored him.
Anthony again found himself in Tartu, at a grill party. It was now May 2017, so two years had passed since that first “romantic” meeting. Anthony and Laura found themselves sitting at the same table, along with some other friends, and the thought entered both of their minds that maybe they would like to get to know each other a bit more.
Wedding photographer: Valdur Rosenvald | Rosenvald Photography
Host: Craig Hamer
Venue: Mooste FolgikodaNasva klubi
Pastor: Miguel Zayas
Bride’s Make-up: Meraki Ilusalong
Bride’s hair: Meraki Ilusalong
Bride’s dress: Dress Brand - Jūlija Bridal Fashion
Groom’s suit: Skopes
Catering: Pesa Catering
Band: Vineyard Tallinn and Tartu International Fellowship
A few days later, Anthony received a text message from Reena, which read, “Here is Laura’s phone number. This is my last attempt to help you guys. From now on, God help you!” Anthony began to realize that perhaps he needed a kick to get him moving, and after worrying and praying for a few days, he sent Laura a Facebook message. “So, you didn’t tell me that you were learning guitar”. Smooth.
Laura and Anthony continued to communicate, once per week, via Facebook messenger, for a few weeks. Topics of conversation included photography, cycling, music, and favorite places to travel. And, if you think that’s cliché, then you’re right. But haters gonna hate.
“Here is Laura’s phone number. This is my last attempt to help you guys. From now on, God help you!”
At the end of June, Anthony found an excuse to visit Tartu, as his flatmate, Giedrius, wanted to see another city before he returned to live in Norway. So, Anthony asked Laura if she’d be willing to show them around the city. The three of them spent one evening together, at the end of which Laura thought that Anthony had no interest in her at all. There’s playing it cool, and then there’s playing it too cool. So, Anthony and Giedrius left, and that was that.
Anthony and Laura continued to talk, sometimes even on Skype! It became apparent to Anthony that Laura wasn’t so technologically advanced, and Skyping was not as easy as it could have been, so the only solution was to actually spend some time together. Anthony invited Laura to visit Tallinn, so he could show her around the city, and return the earlier favor... After this, Laura went on a three-week vacation, walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and both of them wondered and asked God whether this would turn out to be more than just a friendship.
Well, it seemed that everyone, except Laura and Anthony, knew that they would get together. After her journey, at the end of August, Laura returned to Tallinn for a few more days. One rainy day, Anthony and Laura were driving in Tallinn, along with their friend Lisanna and a couple of others. Anthony started to receive text messages from Lisanna, saying something about a triple date, but Anthony said that he was driving and they would have to talk about this later.
However, as soon as the other two people got out of the car, Lisanna jumped into the seat behind them and said: “So, I was thinking about organizing a triple date, with me and Kevin, Jaanika and Andreas, and you two. It will be in 6 weeks time in October. Do you want to come, or is that too much commitment?”
“To being available in October, or to each other?” Anthony replied.
“I don’t know”, said Lisanna. “So, are you coming?”
Laura thought for a second and said, “Yes, we’ll come!” she looked at Anthony and added, “won’t we?”.
Later Anthony suggested that if they were going to go on a triple date, they should probably go on an official “first date” first. And that’s the story of why their friend Lisanna takes full credit for Anthony and Laura becoming a couple.
