Caryn & Eric in West Paterson, NJ

The first time she went out with him, he was two hours late. It was the summer of 1999: Caryn Cicchino was an occupational therapy student at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, and Eric Chenven was in the fourth year of his urology residency. THE BRIDE Caryn Cicchino, 26, pediatric occupational therapist THE GROOM Eric Chenven, 31, urology resident THE DATE August 19 Luckily, Eric had a good excuse -- he was stuck in surgery. So Caryn was forced to wait patiently for him in the company of mutual friends from the hospital (the friends were responsible for masterminding what was supposed to be a double-date). Eventually, Eric showed up with a bottle of my favorite wine in hand, remembers the bride, laughing. He sort of redeemed himself. Caryn, Eric, and the matchmakers went out dancing, with the new acquaintances spending the entire night dancing, smiling, and enjoying each other's company. A year later, Eric was on bended knee on a Florida beach, proposing with the diamond ring of Caryn's dreams. Eric was everything that I wanted -- and through tears, I hugged and kissed him and screamed.