I don’t know about you, but if ever I got married, I’d be compelled to be at a racetrack nearby the very next day, if not THE day-of.
That’s exactly what Ian and Bonnie (Neidecker) Soukup did this past Sunday, when they went to Beautiful Belmont Park–and took family and friends. Now, this is what I call a honeymoon–horses, horses and more horses. Sharing the experience with family and treasured friends, and being serenaded by Sam the Bugler. Who could ask for anything more?
Well, they got more: our own Gary Contessa–one of the most generous people on this (or any other) planet–treated the entire entourage to a tour of his barn and horses; a picnic lunch on the rail AND a race named for the newly-wedded couple.
I don’t know how many people know about the joy that Gary derives from helping people enjoy Life. If there’s a way that he can add special joy to someone’s experience, he does his level best to make it happen. He loves sharing his horses, barns–and the whole racing experience–with fans and newbies, alike. In my estimation, Gary is the best Ambassador for Racing that our sport has in America. His passion for horses and the sport is contagious, and from this infectious bliss, often grows new fans for horse racing. This is a very good thing.
Well, lest you think that our story is short-and-sweet–think again.
The story ends last Sunday, June 14th at Belmont, with two young people in love–their families, friends and Gary Contessa’s barnful of sweet, swift horses.
But it began X amount of years ago (we ain’t tellin’), when Lynn (now-) Neidecker and her BFF, Lisa (Feiler) Schmitz were teens, students at Calhoun High School in Merrick, New York. There they met a handsome young man named Gary Contessa, and became friends with the fellow. Friends to last a lifetime, it would appear.
But yes, Life goes on, and people often stray from their roots–but not Lynn, Lisa and Gary. Not in this case.
Lynn grew up–got married–and had a baby girl. That girl was named, Bonnie. Bonnie grew to become a lovely, intelligent young woman. She met a young engineer named, Ian Soukup and she fell in love.
When they realized that they had the kind of love that grows from “falling” into “staying,” they knew that staying meant commitment. And that a commitment of that level is not between just two people, but also involves the entire community that reared them and support them, still.
They made it official, and married, surrounded by all their beloveds. Their community spiritually walked them down the aisle toward each other, and toward their future.
So that brings us to Sunday, the day after the wedding: Gary was very excited to celebrate the marriage of his friend’s daughter, and to see other high school friends like Lisa Schmitz. All were part of Ian and Bonnie’s extended family, and all were welcomed into Gary’s magical world.
An informal class reunion, as it were–but so-much more powerful, for this reunion had its foundation in Love rather than mere memories of Glory Days. Memories of the past may give us comfort, but Love gives us Hope.
So–Congratulations, Ian and Bonnie! May your love and joy last only as long as the sun lasts in the sky, and as long as horses remind us of Eternal Beauty. And come to the races often–there’ll always be a soft nicker waiting for you at Gary’s barn.
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Photos credit: Uncle Bill Cramer. Thanks, Uncle Bill!