Sheeba (RB) and (my RB cocker )Tonee, and Tom's Shep-ee (RB) were bridesmaids in my and Tom's wedding. Almost 9 years ago. And Karyl was the photographer/witness . Then they moved to CA. Here is Karyl's love story, with 2 dogs !!!! I just wanted to share this story with you all because it's true love and true love of dogs . At the end I posted my favorite pix I have of Sheeba and Cashew.
How funny that the Reverend is named Karyl also !!
Excerpt from: Wedding Ceremony for Paul Goodman & Karyl Carmignani
Sunday, September 19, 2004, El Cortez, San Diego, CA
Reverend Karyl: Welcome to the wedding of Karyl Carmignani and Paul Goodman. As we begin, Karyl and
Paul wanted to say how grateful they are to all of you for attending this special occasion. They appreciate
your love & support…and traveling from far and near to be here today. I will now tell Karyl and Paul’s Love
story as told to me. First, Karyl’s side of the story -
“I met Paul through my dear friend Gail, who threw a little Christmas Brunch in 2000 for a few of her “single
friends.” I had no idea who the other guests were, and meeting a Man was the last thing on my mind –
every man I’d met since moving to San Diego was gay - but hey, it was Christmas so…I was feeling happy
& gay.
I remember perching by the fireplace, soaking up the warmth, and along came this decently tall guy (yes, I’
ve learned to assess that attribute even from a sitting position!) who started chatting with me and who
actually seemed like he preferred women. Whoa, things were picking up! I was enormously relieved to
sense that there was at least ONE STRAIGHT GUY left in San Diego! And he was taller than a mailbox, so
that was a good sign too.
Anyway, we were talking about where we live and lo and behold, we came from the same zip code! I
cheerily said, “Gee, we could have carpooled here…” But honestly, I didn’t think for a minute I’d see him
again.
But strangely enough, he called me and we dated a couple times. He took me to see a play and the
theatre was FREEZING cold. I was wearing a skirt and all but hypothermic during the show; he noticed my
shivering and clacking teeth and he took off his jacket and put it across my lap. Ahh, the warmth radiating
from that gesture did as much for my romantic heart as it did my body temperature!
While we were getting acquainted, he said he did volunteer work on Fridays for the Cancer Society driving
patients to their doctor’s appointments. And what planet are you from? I thought. That sweetness and
compassion for others really got to me. And giving little presents to me ‘just cuz’ – no special reason, just
because! With Paul, every day is a gift.
One Valentine’s morning I was riding my bike to work and while cruising past the zoo, I noticed some chalk
hearts on the sidewalk…then one said “Sheeba” and my heart started pounding because that was my dog’
s name. Another heart said “bike” and then there was a HUGE multi-colored one that said “Paul Loves
Karyl” and I nearly fell off my bike! I turned around and rode through his beautiful Valentine again…
Clearly, this guy was a Keeper!!! There were some people walking by reading the hearts and I blurted out
to them, “That’s ME! Paul made this for me!” That was probably the sweetest thing anyone has ever done
for me.
I love his thoughtful, creative, compassionate side. If I died tomorrow, I could go, knowing that he loves me
wildly, completely and compassionately. I would remember that Valentine scratched in the sidewalk and
think, ‘It doesn’t get much better than that.’
But it did! One evening, after Paul finished his coveted nightly bowl of ice cream, he set his bowl down on
the floor for Sheeba to lick clean. It sounds ridiculous, but I swear, at that moment, I knew this was true
love. If he can factor MY dog into the equation that naturally, I knew he was my kind of guy.
When Sheeba passed away a couple years later, Paul took the helm and arranged for her cremation
(when I couldn’t have uttered a coherent phrase) and he genuinely loved her and her memory. A week
later I was laid off from my job and Paul was simply the best support I could ask for throughout that dark
time.
We adopted Cashew a little over a year ago and Paul is the best Dog Dad ever! I am blessed to have
Paul and Cashew in my life. And, I got a new job with Canine Companions for Independence! What a
beautiful, furry irony…I love them both more than the sky.”
Rev. Karyl: Now Paul’s side of the story –
“I met Karyl at Gail’s house during a Christmas Day brunch. Karyl was sitting on the hearth of the fireplace
when I arrived. She was chatting with another guest and was very animated. The first time our eyes met, I
was definitely interested in finding out more about her. She was cute, funny, and a whiz with puns.
After brunch, I decided to turn on the Goodman charm. But, before I knew it, she was leaving. She had to
attend yet another party and I hadn’t had a chance to talk to her. Later, I asked Gail if I could get Karyl’s
phone number and give her a call.
Our first date was at a movie matinee showing at 11 AM. We grabbed some coffee and then moved to the
theater to watch Finding Forrester. Karyl had picked this movie and that is one reason why I have chosen
the movies to see ever since. Karyl, having lived most of her life in rainy Seattle, didn’t exactly relish sitting
inside a dark theater on a sunny day. But, she never let on to me.
During the movie I excused myself to use the restroom. She looked at me and said, “Where are you going?
You’re coming back aren’t you?” I had to laugh. And I’ve been laughing ever since.
Prior to meeting Karyl, I had dated a bit, but I never quite hit it off with any of them. God knows my Mother
was praying for me; finally her prayers were answered.
Many of our first dates were spent in my home. I love to cook and I first realized this could be true love
when Karyl would even eat my questionable dinners. Like the seaweed and cucumber salad I prepared
one evening.
We would dine by candlelight and her dog, Sheeba, would beg for scraps. After dinner we would sit on the
floor by the fire, Sheeba playing chaperone by placing herself between us. Sheeba made sure I kept a
respectable distance for our first few dates. But, soon I had won her over and I was finally able to put my
arm around her…Karyl, that is.
Karyl has many qualities which draw me to her. She is attractive and has a great sense of humor. She is
loving, sensitive and the best ‘Dog Mom’ in the whole world. She is romantic, loyal, generous, thoughtful,
compassionate and creative. She is also a very accomplished writer and photographer and my best
friend. She has a knack for capturing a person’s personality in photographs and I really admire that
quality about her. She has also captured my heart.”
Rev. Karyl: And now, dear guests, we are here to witness and to celebrate the lifelong commitment of
these two people so very obviously destined for each other. . .
Sheeba
Cashew
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