Tidewater Magazine Features Our Wedding

It is exciting to see our wedding immortalized on paper.  I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

There we are, teased on the front cover, and inside on page 13.
Click here to for the May 2010 issue

A Midweek Full of Surprises and a Very Special Birthday

It was your typical Tuesday night... 

We were looking forward to meeting Executive Chef Robert and his wife Chieko at Kyushu Restaurant in Virginia Beach, a local sweet spot for authentic Japanese cuisine.  Our drive over to the restaurant was a bit awkward as we ended up at the end of 264, about 10 miles past our destination point.  Guess that is what great conversation will lead you to—missing your exit.  The Newtown Road exit is located off the 'collectors' and we were on the express side of the road (in Toronto highways are often divided into Collectors and Express).  Chef set us straight and we ended up only 10 minutes late.

Kyushu is a restaurant that Chieko is a partner in and offers the best traditional Japanese cuisine in the region and is the only Japanese resto to offer shabushabu—so I hear.  The restaurant is quaint with probably only a dozen tables along with the sushi bar seating (probably the best seating as to watch the masters at work).  Very tradition with a lucky kitty statue to greet you at the entrance.  Expect a casual welcome home family oriented atmosphere with eveyone saying "hello" you upon entrance.

http://www.kyushujap.com/

We entered the restaurant and upon a quick glance of the room, we did not see an open table.  Interesting, I thought, a busy night for a simple Tuesday.  Upon spotting chef seating near the kitchen, I glanced over and noticed a few other co-workers in the restaurant.  Suddenly, everyone turned around and started clapping.  WOW - they were clapping for our us!  Awesome, we had rock-star status here—gotta love it.  How touched Kim and I both were.  All of these people joining together to celebrate our marriage after the fact, all arranged by Chef and Chieko.

Sitting down after some greetings, we were greeted with platters of appetizers to temp our tastebuds which included mussells, battered shrimp, and various rolls...ummmmmm!  Having a warm bottled of Sake started off our night of fun and bliss with friends.  I truly enjoyed my u-don with Japanese potatoes and Kim loved her tempura soba.  The warm Ginjo Sake was a perfect match and added to to atmosphere of bliss.
After finishing dinner and a short and sweet thank you toast, we were told we needed to go the Chef''s house to top off the festivities.  The cavalcade of cars left the mini-complex where Kyushu was tucked away in and headed to another part of the mega Virginia Beach proper.  This is the largest city (sq. mileage-wise) in the US of A so you could realistically drive an hour and not be beyond their city limits.

Chef had a massive spread of dips, condiments, and snacks spread out in his beautiful house that paid homage to Japan.  Here is the best part though, a beautiful two-tiered wedding cake awaited us in the dining room, surrounded by bottles of fantastic wine (yes, I know wine, the Sommelier I am).  Chef also brought out a big 1.5 liter of Champagne for which we started off our evening with.

Right into the cake cutting we went with Kim taking the first piece with her fingers and giving her new husband a mouthful with a good smear afterwards. Brave she was, knowing that I still yet had to feed her a piece.  Being the gentleman and having the understanding of how long it takes to put the make-up on, I was more than kind when I let her taste the piece.  What a great tasting wedding cake to boot.

Conversation, laughing, and drinking consumed the rest of our evening, keeping the chef and his wife up later than I am sure is usual.

Wednesday morning was a bit tough.  Either way, I survived the day and came home to find Kim so sweetly sound asleep on her birthday.  A quick kiss to the forhead stirred her and a happy birthday greeting brought her back into reality. 

A full chef's uniform on, I emerged to start preparing her birthday dinner.  Salmon en pappiotte with fresh peppers, onions, carrot, and herbs.  Not a big salmon fan, I substitued mine with chicken breast.  A side of potato hash accompianed the dish along with a nicely chilled bottle of ZD Chardonnay, so skillfully produced by my friends in Napa Valley, California, on the Silverado Trail in Napa.  What a great pairing this was, excellent food, fantastic wine, and a love that is unmatched.

A great two days, celebrating so many things: so in love, such a great future to look forward too.  Cheers.

A Promise Between the Both of Us

Josh and I woke up that Saturday morning to the sound of the waves and the sunlight creeping through the blinds. It was 8 a.m. and probably the earliest we have ever woken up on a Saturday.  Josh then looked at me with gentle eyes, "Are you ready to marry me?"

This woman I woke next to truly makes my heart sing everyday.  She is the most understanding, loving, and thoughtful person I have known.  She takes me at face value and loves me for who I am on a daily basis and looks forward to spending the rest of our lives together.  How could I ask for anything more?  Being with Kim is like being on an adventure everyday as we leave our lives open to anything and everything that can present itself. 

This day was no different.  Packing the car, driving to the hotel in downtown Norfolk to drop off our dog Paige (who was being cared for by Jay's family for the weekend), and to pick up our wedding cake which was so thoughtfully made by Master Chef Robert Cillizza for our special day.  On the way out of town we swung by Norfolk Wholesale Florist to pick up the bridal bouquet and boutonniere which was also beautiful and packed up with so much care in a large box.  There we were, heading out of town, our car packed for the night away with so much in store for next twelve hours.

Yes, I was ready to spend my life with this man.  The way he cares for me and supports my every want and desire is indescribable. He makes me a better person, he makes life wonderful.  How could I not be ready?  My whole body was shaking and my heart was beating fast.  It wasn't because I was nervous, but because I was more excited than I have ever been.  I just couldn't wait!  I felt like there was still so much to do before I would be able to say "I do".  Time just wasn't moving fast enough for us right now, and of course later on it would be moving too fast for us.

I still remember the days when we had to fly to see one another.  Our love was an enigma back then.  So many things unknown, a roller coaster of events and feelings, but I was already so hooked, so in love.  It was a euphoric sensation each time we met and I knew that I could no longer deal with the every other weekend stints.    

Driving North on Route 64 towards Richmond, we were talking about our plan of action for the day to insure we were not forgetting anything.  Our first stop was the Williamsburg Salt Spa. We did not have enough time to hit the hotel prior to our noon appointment for the early check-in that was graciously offered to us by the Wedmore Place management.  We missed the Salt Spa at first as did not realize it was in an office type of complex and we were looking for something a bit more rustic as we were going to a salt 'cave'.  Upon entering the spa, it appeared like any other spa with a serene entrance and fabulous products displayed on wall shelves.  What a work of art the cave was, lined wall to wall with salt blocks and a thick layer of warm salt as the cave floor along with waterfalls and soft lighting filling the room.  This was no office space at all and who would ever think this existed in this space!  Relaxing with my future wife, breathing in the warm salt air while laying on the salt floor, we talked about our future together.  What a great way to relax and purify our bodies before taking the next step in our lives for which we have always known would be our future.

Completely tranquil, aura positive, and spirit centered (we did yoga in the cave) I was focused.  Three and a half hours and counting I was going to be Mrs. Cuachon-Haugh.  "Let's go get married now," I said salt rocks and votives (some souvenirs) in hand, as Josh pulled away.

We pulled up to the entrance of Williamsburg Winery and after a quick photo op we were au chemin to the Wedmore, to our beautiful suite.  Looking at the back seat of the car we realized how much stuff we had.  Funny how that works out - over packing doesn't hit you until you have to unpack.

The Venetian Suite, I already felt like we had been transported out of Virginia to Old World Italy.  Beautiful antique shop doors imported  from Italy opened into this elaborate space.  High ceilings with gold leafed tiles and romantic paintings, complete with Cupid flying over, walls in deep red, and open fireplace, were all going to be the backdrop of our ceremony. 

First things first, get the firewood delivery!  How could we not use this beautiful fireplace?  The bedroom was up a set of stairs that hugged the wall with great velvet drapes at the top for privacy.  Time to change and get ready for the arrival of the photographer (pictures you see here) and the officiant.  Vanessa from Images by Vanessa and Mr. Johnson arrived on schedule and we were able to get some pre-wedding shots.  A bottle of Williamsburg Governor's White along with proscuitto, Vermont Cabot Cheddar, and crackers delivered by room service kept us going through the afternoon.  Both Kim and I were a bit sweaty handed, probably about having to read the vows that we had written to each other but never shared.  Writing our own vows was the best decision we could of made - truly opening up to each other our dedication and commitment we have for each other.  After a bit of photography and conversation with Mr. Johnson, the time was upon us.

"Pride can stand, a thousand trials/The strong will never fall/But watching stars without you/My soul cried" "Kissing You" by Des'ree played - it was perfect in every which way.  It was a flawless legato that could move the stiffest heart with a crescendo that began just as Mr. Johnson whole heartedly looked at Josh and said, "The woman that stands before you will turn to you for shelter and warmth."  As we gently held hands I felt my spirit lift above me, like I was on some type of hallucinogen, but it was nothing but love and admiration.  We were finally doing this.  "Ave Maria" by Sarah Brightman slowly played while Josh and I read our vows to one another.  We had both written them a few days ago over a glass of wine in front of our fireplace.  Mr. Johnson then asked us to turn towards him and he endearingly uttered "May your love be as endless as the tides and as deep as the sea."  We had our first kiss as husband and wife.  Now we have kissed many times before, but this kiss was just about as good as our very first kiss.  "I know pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Haugh."     

Happiness!  Our dreams have finally come true.  A walk to the vineyard was in order with a bottle of Dom Perignon '85 in our hands with two glasses being trailed  by Vanessa and Robert while she snapped away with the cameras hanging around her neck.  A deep blue sky and rows of vines, we picked the #10 post in the vineyard for our year of commitment.  The chill kept the excursion short and we headed back after a toast between the vines of life to the warmth of the Wedmore Place and our still burning fire in the suite.  Down to dinner it was time, to enjoy a tranquil experience with the dining room to ourselves, served on by the warmest people offering delectables to enliven our palates.

That's right, I almost forgot that we were indeed the only guests staying at the Wedmore Place.  We were like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, now I know they're not married yet but I see them doing this in Provence, which is what the Café Provençal was like for us.  

The menu:

Williamsburg Winery Acte 12 Chardonnay

Carpaccio of tuna, arugula, tapenade, truffle vinaigrette

The best tuna that I (Kim) have ever tasted!  Sliced so delicately thin it melts on your tongue.  The arugula and tapenade with the sultry truffle finish was luscious.

Housemade garlic sausgage, butternut squash ravioli, balsamic brown butter, wilted spinach, fresh sage

Perfectly cooked ravioli with flavors from the garlic sausage making this dish perfect for the season.

Sauteed duck leg confit, Port and goat cheese sauce, haricot verts, grilled fingerling potatoes

Next to my favorite type of duck, Peking, this was the next best thing.  The dish was rustic yet so sophisticated.  You could taste that from the very first bite to the very last bite which cleaned off the plate.  While I opted for a different starch because I shared Josh's starter, the fingerling potatoes had a certain tender sweetness that worked.  The haricots (green beans) we cooked to perfection.  All the flavors married indubitably.

Grilled Colorado lamb chops, rosemary jus with pancetta and hazelnuts, grilled asparagus, roasted garlic crushed potatoes

Lamb, my all time favorite for red meats (currently, I do switch (Josh)) was grilled to perfection to medium rare as requested.  The decadent lamb was carved to the bone and married with the garlic mash to produce such a fabulous taste sensation on the palate.

Apple torte a la mode

I (Kim) thought that the nonchalant attitude of apples and vanilla would be a great finish.  I really wanted that coolness to coat my mouth after such an array of flavors.  I probably needed to sweeten my breath anyway. 

Milk chocolate mousse and toasted coconut creme brulée

WOW - such a great finish to the lamb and our wedding dinner.  Paired with an Amaretto di Saronno on the rocks, this brulée coated my mouth and had the longest finish I think I have ever had from a dessert.

While digesting our food, we asked to see the lounge, for which our server showed us the way, off the main dining room.  The lounge is located directly off the pool deck and offers a full bar.  We ordered another bottle of wine, this one to open and take back to the room.  Back at the room we enjoyed a taste of our wedding cake along with our bottle of Williamsburg Winery Cabernet Sauvignon.  Our dreams of the evening brought us to fantastical places which we later attributed to our visit to the salt cave and our spectacular dinner.

What a weekend!  It was completely nonchalant, and completely personal.  When were read our vows to one another it really was a promise between the both of us (yeah, nobody was there).  The focus was on nothing else but our commitment and us embarking on a new journey together.  Just like any girl I have envisioned a grand wedding, and that will come pretty soon.  We have already decided on it being an exotic destination wedding.  It only makes sense with our families spread out globally.  Why not make it a vaca for all?  I know this may sound cliché, but our day was absolutely perfect.  I would do it all over again just for fun.

 ~ Written By Joshua Haugh and Kimberley Cuachon-Haugh