Brent and Rosalee

Left and Right Online

Hello, Everyone, and thanks for stopping by our humble little corner of cyberspace.

We've tried to make these pages to be as thorough as possible, so if you're along for the whole weekend or just planning on being at the ceremony, we hope this site will help you with your planning for our wedding weekend.

Surf around, click away, enjoy these pages... if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to E-Mail Us.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Brent and Rosalee

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Wedding updates

May 25, 2005

Could time fly any faster?

Some people have wondered about how they should dress for the weekend. We hope that everyone plans on comfort and function, as the ceremony, though under a pavilion, may still be affected by weather conditions. Nice but comfortable is what we would recommend. (And bring a rain jacket or umbrella, just in case...)

We have received all of our RSVP's and are looking at celebrating with quite a goodly number of family members and well-wishers. We are excited about having an open ceremony and fellowship time followed by a reception for our invited guests--we can't wait to see everyone!

May 11, 2005

Not only does tday mark the one-month-countdown mark, Today is also RSVP-Day.

The responses have been coming in at a steady rate. Thanks to those who have already responded... for the rest, we look forward to hearing from you!

One month... we are sooooooo pumped...

May 9, 2005

For June, July, and most of August, our address will be:

Brent and Rosalee van Staalduinen
961 Garner Rd. East
Ancaster, ON
L9G 3K9
Canada
Ph: (905) 648-7204

In Kuwait (as of August 20, 2005):

Brent and Rosalee van Staalduinen
American International School,
PO Box 3267 Salmiya
22033 Kuwait
Ph: 00 965 561 4143


May 4, 2005

Wow, time flies, no?

Okay, we're about a week away from our RSVP deadline, so we're excited about getting those replies.

Also, we're having regular conversations with The Man Upstairs about the weather for our wedding weekend. While our nuptials will be happening rain or shine--we're under a pavilion and should be able to avoid the most of a storm--we're certainly hoping for sunny weather so our kids' program and afternoon outdoor games can happen.

So, a reminder: bring your bocce sets, your tennis racquets, soccerballs, ball gloves, playing cards, and so on, because there is heaps--and we mean HEAPS--of room in Queen's Park.

May 2, 2005

The Left and The Right would like to thank all those amazing people who have thrown showers and other such events in our honour--truly we're blessed a thousand times over to have folks around who care so much.

Love y'all, and see you soon!

March 27, 2005

Happy Easter, Everyone!

What a great weekend--the weather in Hamilton has been fabulous, and it looks like we might see Spring sometime soon.

Yesterday, the Roth and van Staalduinen clans gathered at Rosalee's house for a pre-wedding get-together--what a blessing it is to have family that can fellowship together in such an open, enjoyable fashion! Much food was consumed and much laughter was shared: thanks Cher and Dennis for setting it up; thanks everyone, for making it such a good day.

The countdown continues...


March 21, 2005

Completely off topic: In Hamilton yesterday Brent ran his 2nd "Around the Bay 30K Road Race" in a very satisfying 2hours, 25minutes, and 9 seconds. He's very stiff today. Very stiff. Wow.

March 20, 2005

Saw the counter go up a couple of notches, and realized that folks'll be visiting really soon.

Some confusion has been raised about whether this site is an "online invitation"; no, it isn't, but rather an overall information site for everyone who wishes to celebrate with us.

The Left and The Right are excited about sharing our special day with friends and family. The ceremony in Tavistock is open to whomever would like to attend, and refreshments will be served immediately following the ceremony. Invitations have been sent out for the reception-luncheon afterwards.

March 19, 2005

Stopped by the post office today and mailed out the invitations... an amazing feeling, that!

Also added a counter and guestbook to the web-page so that we can see how busy the traffic is to our site and so people can let us know they stopped by.


March 18, 2005

Wow, not so difficult after all... our web-page is up and running.

Brent, Rosalee, Sharon, Wayne, Bill, and Grace all helped out this evening to fold and stuff our invitations.

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Parallel Lines

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear
a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21

It's funny how things always seem so clear in retrospect... but God's timing is a clever thing, sneaking up on those of us who aren't wont to wait for things.

People often do double-takes when they hear we're together, particularly if they were around for our "genesis" back at Redeemer: competitive spirits, independent to the core, with him clueless about real relationships, and her not looking.

But somehow the Man Upstairs had bigger plans, sending Brent to Korea in Rosalee's final year at Redeemer, then sending Rosalee to China for two years while Brent returned to Canada and spent the interval working as a teacher in Toronto.

Timing. Ain't it just everything?!

Anyhow, that space was such a blessing for us: we both grew up a lot, had our shields softened and stretched, tentatively established a trans-Pacific correspondence, and realized that somewhere amongst all those probing conversations and emails that something very special existed. And, on November 11, 2003, we were nudged from above to make the decision to explore each other in a very intentional way.

On July 19, 2004, Rosalee returned from China, surprised to find an idiot-grinning Brent waiting for her after she cleared customs. We knew straight away that "us" was a good thing; we were sure a week later that we were headed for a lifetime of best-friendship and love.

On November 11, 2004, at the edge of the Niagara escarpment and above the approving eyes of Hamilton’s city lights, Rosalee and Brent were engaged after a lovely one-year anniversary evening of dinner and theatre. (It was no surprise to hear ourselves saying "yes," but somehow it still made the proposal complete and klaar.)

And we ain't stopped grinning since, no sir!

We have an "us" story, called A Chance of Sunshine by Jimmy Liao, where two people spend their lives moving left and right, nearby and seeming never to meet. Well, Brent--"The Right"--is right-handed and, like the male in Liao's story, moved often away to the right, while Rosalee--"The Left"--works with the opposite hand, and followed her life-direction to the left...

...we don't need to tell you how the story ends, do we?

Well, left and right can come together, and sometimes parallel lines do meet. In our case, another chapter in our parallel tale will be written on June 11, 2005.

Hope you can be there for that. It'll be something!

Brent and Rosalee

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The Announcement

Left and Right: Parallel Lines Together

June 11, 2005

This was the front page of our invitation sent out on March 19, 2005.

She is used to going left... he is used to going right. But life always has many surprises, even two parallel lines might come together one day.*

Knowing the Lord has brought parallel lines together, Ralph and Margaret Roth and Bill and Grace van Staalduinen invite you to celebrate the marriage of

Rosalee Margaret Roth (The Left)
and
William Brent van Staalduinen (The Right)

on June 11, 2005 D.V., Queen’s Park, Tavistock, Ontario.
Ceremony at 10:30am, outdoor reception** to follow at 12:30 pm.

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear
a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
Isaiah 30:21

* Recommended reading: A Chance of Sunshine by Jimmy Liao
** The ceremony and reception are outdoors. Plan for inclement weather, but pray for a chance of sunshine!

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Schedule of Events

We're all hoping for sunny, warm weather; however, we're also planning to move ahead regardless of the weather. So, bring your rain-gear and umbrellas--you may have to use them!

Friday

Afternoon and evening: camp setup in Queen's Park.
5:00pm: Rehearsal at Queen's Park, Tavistock.
6:30pm: Rehearsal Dinner at Falstaff's in Stratford for folks involved in the ceremony.
8:30pm: Swim time for rehearsed-and-dinner'd-out folks at the Blaine residence in Stratford.

Saturday

8:00am: setup of Queen's Park for ceremony and reception.
8:30am: Left and Right, Best Man and Best Woman to Stratford for photos.
10:30am: Left and Right arrive, ceremony to follow.
11:30am: Left and Right receiving line in small pavilion.
11:35a: Conversion of big pavilion from ceremony-mode to reception-mode.
12:00pm: Family photos.
12:30pm: Reception and luncheon under the big pavilion.
12:35pm: Kids program and supervision available throughout the reception-time
3:30pm: Left and Right depart for their top-secret "night 1" locale.
Afternoon and evening: games, relax-time, sports, etc. in Queen's Park.

Sunday

12:00pm: camp take-down time in Queen's Park.

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Camping at Queen's Park and Lodging

Your first and best option is, of course, to stay with family and friends in the area (London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, Guelph, and Toronto aren't too far away). They'd love to have you!

Camping in Tavistock's Queen's Park:

* Camping is available in Tavistock's Queen’s Park from Fri. at 4:00pm until Sunday at 1:00pm.
* If you are interested in camping, please indicate in your RSVP when you will be arriving and the number of nights you’d like to stay.
* Camping will be “group” style: that is, there are no prepared sites, but camping areas will be clearly indicated.
* Toilets/Showers (at the arena), hydro (bring a long extension cord), and recreational facilities (fields, play structure, ball diamond, tennis courts) are available for your convenience.
* Please remember that there are no open flames allowed in the park (propane stoves, lanterns, and gas BBQ’s are allowed)
* Alcohol is not permitted in the park, as we have no LCBO license for the weekend.
* Plan for rain (tarps, rain gear, etc.), but hope for great weather!

Lodging

Brent and Rosalee have made group reservations at three local hotels. Rates guaranteed until May 11.

Newburg Inn
(ask for the "Brent and Rosalee" wedding group rate)
Hwy. 7/8, New Hamburg.
Ph. (519) 662-3990
Click here for map.

Super 8 Motel Woodstock
(ask for the "van Staalduinen" wedding group rate)
560 Norwich Ave.
Ph. (519) 421-4588
Click here for map.

Quality Hotel & Suite Woodstock
(ask for the "van Staalduinen" or "Roth" wedding group rate)
580 Bruin Blvd.
Ph. (519) 537-5586
Click here for map.

There may be accommodations to be found in Stratford. Unfortunately, due to the popular Stratford Festival which will be in full swing when you arrive, group bookings are not possible. Try the City of Stratford Website or the Stratford Festival for local accommodation listings.

There are also many Bed&Breakfast-type accommodations to be found around Stratford and Woodstock. Try B&B Canada for listings.

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Gifts

Brent and Rosalee are registered at The Bay.(registry # 04704045), Home Outfitters, (registry # 04769246) and Canadian Tire (registry # 002926996).

We will be heading to Kuwait in August and will have limited storage space, so monetary gifts or gift cards would also be much appreciated.

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Directions to Tavistock

Directions to Tavistock:

Tavistock is located about 70mins from the Hamilton area, 20mins. from Woodstock, and 10mins. from Stratford.

1. Take hwy. 401 East or West to Woodstock
2. Take Exit 232 and head north on Norwich Ave.
3. Angle left onto Cedar St.
4. Turn left onto Dundas St. and drive through town.
5. Turn right (north) on Vansittart Ave. (a.k.a. County Rd. 59)
6. Drive north on County Rd. 59 for approx. 28km
7. County Rd. 59 becomes Woodstock St S.
8. Take Woodstock St. S. into Tavistock
9. Turn right on Maria St. and look for arena signs
10. You’re there!


Directions to Tavistock 

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R.S.V.P.

For those who have received invitations, please RSVP by May 11. Click here: RSVP to Brent & Rosalee.

Be sure to include the following in the body of the e-mail (feel free to cut-and-paste):

# of adults:
# of children:
Names:
Camping?
If yes, we will arrive Friday after p.m. or Saturday a.m.
...and we will depart Saturday p.m. or Sunday by 12:00p.m.

Thanks!

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Reunited July 19, 2004

Taken at the arrivals gate at Pearson, after Brent surprised Rosalee when she returned from China. Happy couple, indeed (don't we look all glowy?)...

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Photo: Sharon Porty (SOTG)

Taken on the Thanksgiving weekend well before the engagement, this shot turned into our engagement photo 'cuz it's just so darned nice...

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Good job, Dishrag!

Roughly three hours before the big question, we had a lovely dinner at The Keg in downtown Toronto. Our server (forgot his name) was kind enough to snap this photo for us just before we had our dinner. Does The Right look nervous...?

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