SURPRISE was an understatement when Troy Tornabene set out to create lasting memories for his wife Michelle on their 10th wedding anniversary last month.
Married on February 9, 2002, in Our Lady of Victories Church, Bowen Hills, the couple have two sons – Lachlan, 9, and Nicholas, 7 – who were also “in on” the surprise.
“For as long as we can remember Michelle and I always said we would like to renew our vows,” Troy, who works as a relationship manager within the Archdiocesan Development Fund, Brisbane, said.
“Often we would see a church or location and comment on how good it would be to renew our vows there.”
When Troy’s term as assistant principal for religious education (APRE) at Queen of Apostles Primary School, Stafford, concluded, the community gave the family “a weekend away”.
Michelle and Troy decided that “would be a perfect opportunity” for the renewal ceremony.
And yet, a pull towards St Stephen’s Chapel, Brisbane city, remained.
“I thought it would be more special to celebrate the occasion on the actual day of our anniversary and at such a spiritual place as the chapel,” Troy said.
And with that he set out to plan the surprise, Michelle thinking the “weekend away” was their renewal destination.
His first proposal more than a decade ago “was a pathway of surprises” and so set the tone of what was to come.
“It was very hard to keep it a surprise,” Troy said.
“I was very thankful that a lot of people were prepared to play along with me … (and) a lot of the planning had to be done when Michelle was not home.”
On the day of the anniversary, the quick-thinking romantic organised to have lunch with his bride.
Ironically, Michelle, who works in Queensland Health in a senior role in the BreastScreen Queensland program, “doesn’t like surprises”.
“The understanding was that this would be the only time over the next few days that we would have time with just each other,” he said.
“I prepared 10 special cards for Michelle that she would find and open over the course of the day, each one relating to a location or activity in which she would be engaged in.”
The first two cards “related to just wishing Michelle a happy anniversary and inviting her to lunch”.
“After lunch I handed Michelle card three and the real fun began,” Troy said.
“This card directed her to a 60-minute massage.
“Card four directed Michelle to a street address and upon arriving at that location, the receptionist handed her card number five – about going to a room and to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine while waiting the next surprise.”
Card six instructed Michelle to “not to open the door until she heard a knock”.
That “knock” was from a professional hair and make-up artist.
“She was coming to do Michelle’s hair and make-up under the false pretence that Michelle and I were going to have a professional photo shoot, seeing as she (thought) we would be away from Brisbane for our ceremony,” Troy said.
“This card also directed her to be dressing in her special attire for the occasion – all of which was awaiting her in the room.”
Card seven, given two hours later, prompted a taxi ride, not to the photo shoot but to St Stephen’s Chapel where Troy and the boys “were dressed in matching suits”.
“When Michelle arrived at my office in Charlotte Street … I handed her card number eight … and it explained that in actual fact we were going to the chapel to renew our vows then and there,” Troy said.
Michelle’s reaction was one of being “very overwhelmed and surprised, almost speechless”.
“I felt overwhelmed with all the surprises happening on the day but also I felt really touched and appreciative of the thought and effort Troy went to in making it a truly and special memorable event for us both and our sons,” Michelle said.
The family, who are Kedron parishioners, on Brisbane’s northside, then went to Mass on February 9.
Afterwards, St Stephen’s Cathedral dean Fr Ken Howell officiated at their renewal of vows in St Stephen’s Chapel.
“Celebrating Mass together was made more special by Fr Ken’s welcome and his recognition of our special occasion during Mass,” Troy said.
“(And) after Mass Michelle and I were taken aback by the number of people who came up to us and wished us well.
“A few even stayed to witness our renewal.”
Troy said the renewal was “very powerful and emotional”.
And there were still two cards to go.
Card number nine spoke of the “family dinner” awaiting them while the final card “arrived with dessert”.
“It was a card that simply renewed my commitment and love for Michelle,” Troy said.
“It was signed off with the same phrase that resonated on the day of our wedding, ‘Come what may, I will love you until the end of time’.”
The couple said the renewal was “a great opportunity not only to confirm” their love but also for their sons to “be a witness to the joy of marriage and to see that the Church still plays an important part in that and in our lives”.
“We are both of the belief that we were blessed to find each other and that God has continued to bless us with 10 years of happiness and two wonderful boys,” Michelle said.
“We were both brought to tears as we repeated our vows to each other.
“(And) it was made all that more special having our two boys by our sides.
“Hopefully we are being good role models – for our boys to see, experience and be a part in positive modelling of love and commitment.”
Troy said their parenting revolves around “positiveness of family and the family unit”.
“At every opportunity we ensure that we do things together as a family – no matter what the activity,” he said.
“(And) we also work on the philosophy of teachable moments.
“We are always looking for daily experiences where we can teach and reinforce with our boys the values, ethics and morals that underpin our family and our faith.”
It’s certain Lachlan and Nicholas were taught much more than how to plan a surprise, or 10, last month.
