How To Marry A Russian...

Taken from our wedding website... http://sidandkatya.wedding.com


Our Story

How We Met:
As luck would have it, Sid was hosting a business dinner at Perry's where Katrina was the hostess. They shared some small talk while Sid waited on his clients to arrive. Ever the self promoter and go getter, Katrina mentioned that she would love to do some consulting if ever the chance arose. With a "why not" type of shrug, Sid got her contact information. He had work in Russia (Omsk) which would require translation...

How We Got Engaged:
Over the next 9 months they became very good friends... she was the side kick helping him figure out the best romantic dates for the girl of the hour, and he was the "big brother" rescuing her away from drunk boys that she didn't want to go home with... Each one always accepted the other, despite their flaws. It was true friendship. One day, Stacie Yates (Alegria)birthday to be exact (April 26), Mikel Zirulo mentioned to Sid that she thought it obvious and "perfectly ok" for the two to date. And with the simple sweetness that many of us have come to recognize of Mikel's clarity, it all clicked for Sid! He did love her (Katrina that is, not Mikel)! The next 72 hours were a blur. Somehow, including an international fair, some rollerblade wheelie things, a cowboy hat, and some paintings... the two ended up kissing and in love... it would be their only date however... The madness ensued over the next week though. Sid left for an extended trip to New York and various locations in Europe. He stopped in Cartier's and Tiffany's in Manhattan, Munich, and Paris... well to say the least, Sid realized that he was loving his best friend... a person that he knew inside and out, someone he admired and enjoyed... engagement made sense. Keep in mind, he was in Europe, so with a $1500.00 cell phone bill later, he returned to Houston and promptly asked her to marry him. Together they went to Jareds (not Cartier nor Tiffany's) and found the perfect ring. That night, May 14th, 2007, they formally announced their engagement to a gathering of close friends.

Convictions from the Corner

Last night I received a random phone call from a person who needed to apologize for bad mouthing me and lieing about me to others. He demonstrated a lot of integrity.

This person has problems: getting a divorce, no real profession, has a son that is young and will be impacted by the divorce...

He was just testing the waters of church... and the gossip and drama distracted him even more, to the point of becoming frenzied and spreading lies himself.

I've noticed that many of the middle class, educated, employed, young 23+yr olds seem to have a horrible perspective on Christian living.

Instead of grace and compassion, they demonstrate legalism and hippocracy (did is spell that wrong? I just love Hippos)...

They are content to remain in their little bubbles of life examining their own "brokeness" rather than get involved in living relationships with other "broken" people. Key word :RELATIONSHIP, not volunteerism, not advice giving, not mentoring...not preaching, but RELATIONSHIP: sharing meals and fun conversation, crying together, laughing together, going through tough times together...where you both share your personal struggles.

I find it odd, that the "good christian" goes and betrays me to the church, using lies and gossip, while the "bad unsaved soul" feels convicted to act with integrity and honor.

It actually blows my mind at the contrast. I think it is time for some grapefruit.

mmm.... grapefruit.

In retrospect, we are all broken.

I love my life, my beautiful loving family, my fiancee, my kick ass friends, my dogs, my work, and the fact that God continues to bless me and keeps adversity far from my heart.

And this grapefruit is pretty amazing too