February 16, 2000
Love means saying 'I do' on Valentine's Day
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Cupid's arrows were out in force Monday morning at Magistrate Tammi Rodgers' office. Taking advantage of Valentine's Day falling on a weekday, seven couples exchanged marriage vows in her office, pledging their love for better or worse, richer or poorer, sickness or health.
Despite the informal setting for their wedding, Christopher Cowen and Christel Irving came fully dressed in wedding regalia: tux and tails for him and an ivory, off-the-shoulder gown for her. While an assembly of family and friends looked on, they exchanged vows, rings and a kiss before heading off to the Grand Traverse Resort for their honeymoon.
"I chose this day to be married because it is a special day for love," Irving said.
Steve Greenshields and Joana Smith were also jumping on the Valentine's Day wedding bandwagon, picking this day for their marriage out of a hat a few weeks ago. Engaged for six months, they recently wrote some dates on slips of paper, including Valentine's Day, Smith's younger son's birthday and Greenshield's birthday, all of which fall in February.
The Valentine's Day date satisfied them both, who, as an 'mature' couple with children from previous relationships, believe that this wedding is the start of a new life together.
"Valentine's Day has a special meaning of lasting where love is concerned," said Smith, whose witnesses included her four children and two grandchildren. "Valentine's Day is the most romantic day to be married."
Each year between five and a dozen couples head to the Magistrate's Office to capture a piece of Valentine's romance. In fact, a few years ago the rush of 12 couples inspired the staff of the Magistrate's office to put up some wedding decorations the next Valentine's Day. At their own expense, they festooned the room with balloons, flowers and a trellis, although only five couples came to be married that year.
The county issues 750 marriage licenses a year and the Magistrate performs approximately 125 of them herself in her office. Rodgers averages two or three marriages a week during the year, but is ready each Valentine's Day for a small rush of weddings.
"This is one of the times that people are happy to be here," noted Rodgers, whose other duties include handling traffic, DNR, snowmobile and marine violations and setting bonds.
"The people who come on Valentine's Day to get married are here for second marriages or first marriages, they are older couples and younger; the normal mix."