Lord of the Rings Fanatics Plaza

I know there are or were actual plaza couples. People who met on here, clicked, and married! That wasn't the case for me, but the plaza probably is the reason I married my husband, or at least one of the reasons.

Long, long, long ago in the days of the plaza of old, I must have been 26 ish or something, now that I reconstruct the timeline a bit better, I joined the plaza in Gondor. I became familiar and friends with a plaza member IC and OOC we ended up talking on Messenger quite a bit. He was always notoriously private, more so than most of us. I told him I'd never push for information but.. I usually ended up meeting quite a few of the people I roleplayed with. (I had about six years of RP experience on another site).
Time moved on, and completely separate from the plaza.. I met a nice man on a dating site. One of the things we had in common was a love for Lord of the Rings. Once we 'graduated' from the dating site to exchanging messages, I noticed that.. his screen name on (Good heavens, I think it was either Yahoo messenger or icq) looked very, VERY familiar. I mean.. half of it was practically the same as the IC name of my plaza friend!! What? So I asked him if he was on this site. No. Then I asked him about his screen name. Oh.. it turns out that apparently it was a version of his university motto! Interesting!

I go back to my plaza friend with a 'haha, I found something about you" joke, and mentioned how and what had happened. Plaza friend wonders if he might happen to know said person on said dating site that I was exchanging messages with. Sure, right, how big are the chances that you know someone who just happened to have gone to the same university as you? Practically nill, right?
Not only did they know each other, they had several friends in common and had even lived in the same house!! Several months later when things started to get pretty serious between this man from the internet (now known as my husband Bill), I asked my plaza friend: look, you know this guy. Is there anything I should know? Is there any reason I should not do this?
He told me "He is one of the last living gentlemen. If you have a shot with him, go for it!" Wow! That's a thing to say!!!
I had a shot. I went for it. We have now been married for almost 14 years, have two kids. I am still ridiculously, annoyingly in love.. This guy faded from the plaza a few years later.

But about 15 years after meeting him here.. I met up with him, and said thank you!!

Awwww! How awesome!! :D

That is ridiculously romantic and very special!

I am very glad that you were able to meet him as well. I am truly happy for you and your beloved, and that a Plazaite could give such a glowing recommendation. I know I've heard your story before, but it is always good to see it again!

Awwwwww! This is SO awesome, and wonderful!

awww very cute!! I've met a few Plazionians in RL (not romantically)

Very happy for you both--- many more long nerdy years!!

Thank you! When two big nerds marry, it begets a big nerdy household. Though at one point we are a house divided: he's a Star Wars fan, and I am more of a Trekkie, though luckily both of us don't mind the other franchise! LOL There's no hatred going around but you should see our Christmas tree. Trek, Wars, Potter...

One of the plazanites whom I met here actually was my bridesmaid, and several others were at the wedding!!

That's so sweet, Eldrith, and this is such a great story. Some things are truly meant to be.

And I can identify with the nerdiness and the big nerdy household. When I first met my husband, the first thing we joked about was the weird Sim language on the Sims 2 computer game. Should have known at that point it was going to be our last first date.

Must say I agree with you on the Trekkie-ness. When the Mandalorian came out, I tried an episode and it was just wasn't in me. I had to laugh when Jason said, "Looks like it's going to be just my show then. Oh, well!"

Well, the Plaza is where I met the Lady Camino. We were a couple for a time and are still best friends. In fact, due to this Mordorian virus I’m currently quarantined with her and her mom and two pups. Lots of good friends, some of whom I’ve met in person, like Ultchuk, Dumenelion, Moneta, ShEru, Protoguy, Wedgie, and the list could go on and on.

@Pallador - yup! The Plaza was how I met my best friend in the whole Universe! @Moneta
So many fond memories.. and pictures, too... somewhere.. to dig up.. Muahahaha :twisted:
Not so fond memories, too, that we hope no one mentions... :roll:
Plaza was where I met Moneta, Dumenelion, Camino, Pallador, Annolori, Arwe, and Protoguy. I remember the two Wizard rulers but their names are escaping me atm.. we met them in Florida - remember? Wedgie was there too! And the trip to Scotland was the best!

Thanks for sharing your story @Eldrith

@Arnyn whom I met on the plaza was my bridesmaid, @Amadhrill came all the way to attend as well as at least three other plazanites whom I am not sure have yet returned. The NDS group still keeps in touch on Facebook.

And then a decade later all of us returned for @Arnyn's wedding.

And that is why I will not judge anyone for meeting people from "the internet"! It was a lovely wedding, and every year we get a replay on FB, bringing back so many memories from that day, but also from this place.

ShEru (Linda) that gathering in Florida was great as was our trip to Scotland! Memories, memories!

ShE, perhaps it might be best for those pictures to remain UNdugup!

I still regret not being able to come to Florida nor Scotland with some of the wizzies. (money I didn't have so much then) But I crossed the pond to visit Lady Camino and Pallador in the United Umbaran States. And many of the wizzies and those associated are still on facebook for me!

And a wonderful story Eldrith!

@Eldrith It was my honor to be your bridesmaid and privilege to have you at our wedding!

And I loved meeting you here on the Plaza and be there at your wedding as well!

@Eamila Bolger You know I just realized that between Windstorm and the Plaza, most of my guests (family aside) were people I met online, save for two of my best friends (and their partners) who I had known since Highschool.
And I have attended at least two weddings of people I met online...

Eldrith - what a lovely wonderful story!! I love RL stories like this!
Thanks for sharing. I'm so glad you are happy and got to share your day with so many Plazaites! :)

ShEru wrote: ↑Thu May 21, 2020 1:40 pm I remember the two Wizard rulers but their names are escaping me atm

@ShEru Were they Elen Sila and ... uh ... dang, I'm forgetting the other's name as well. She was Saruman, name started with an "L", maybe?

Mirluin Ererana

Ah@Eldrith i don’t think I’ve ever heard that full story before! And while I wasn’t able to come to your wedding, it was nice to have seen the church you were married in (before you even met him, I think?) and then to have met him! You two are pretty darn blessed to be such a perfect match!

Túrin wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 4:53 pm

ShEru wrote: ↑Thu May 21, 2020 1:40 pm I remember the two Wizard rulers but their names are escaping me atm

@ShEru Were they Elen Sila and ... uh ... dang, I'm forgetting the other's name as well. She was Saruman, name started with an "L", maybe?

@Túrin - YES! Now I remember Elen Sila.. and I remember the other one was Saruman.. and I do not remember her Plaza name!!