Divorces outnumber courthouse weddings on Cupid's big day
Romantic love was blossoming in the lobby of the Lake County Building on Wednesday, as two dozen couples took their marriage vows underneath a flowered trellis.
At the same time, the dark side of Cupid was also active down in the Circuit Court Clerk's office.
(Andre J. Jackson/News-Sun)
If you're keeping score, two couples filed for marriage licenses on Valentine's Day in County Clerk Willard Helander's office, while eight couples filed for divorce in the office of Circuit Court Clerk Sally Coffelt.
The anti-Cupid may have been dampened a bit by the love holiday. By comparison, last Wednesday 18 couples filed for divorce.
While only two couples got marriage licenses, Linda Paulson, executive assistant to Helander, noted that actual marriages can't be performed until at least one day later, so the Valentine's Day newlyweds picked up their licenses sometime during the last 60 days.
The number of ceremonies performed was down from past years because a minister was not able to attend during the morning. Wednesday afternoon, Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak performed the ceremonies, with the brides and grooms taking turns saying "I do" under a trellis, provided by Pierce Florists of Waukegan, in the lobby. Judicial marriage ceremonies usually are performed in judges' chambers.
Helander provided a box of candy for the first couple married. Asked if she felt a little like Cupid, Helander said, "No," but quipped the lobby atmosphere was taking on a tinge of Las Vegas.
Those taking the vows included Hayden Greene and Audrey (Sedorchuk) Greene of Waukegan. Hayden, 27, is an electrician and carpenter; Audrey, 22, works at Wolf Camera in Gurnee.
They picked a Valentine's Day wedding because it's the fourth anniversary of their meeting at the Cue N You in Grayslake. Both had separately taken groups of friends out, so they wouldn't have to stay home alone on the holiday. As it turns out, friends from each group knew each other and brought the couple together.
"They dragged him over -- he'd been afraid to talk to me," she laughed.
There is a side benefit of having a wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day, Hayden said. "The deal is I can forget Valentine's Day."
Two Missouri natives also took their vows. Charles Bowers, 37, a 19-year career Navy man stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base, and Shanelle McPherson, 22, hail from close-by towns and have known each other for most of their lives, but have only been dating for a little over a year. Their friendship began to turn serious at a family dinner.
They got their marriage license Tuesday and when they realized it would take effect Wednesday, "We thought it would be cool to be married on Valentine's Day," Bowers said.
Also getting married were Juan Garcia and Gloria Martinez, both 33, and of Grayslake. Why Valentine's Day?
"It's a very special day to get married," Garcia, a laborer, said.
