I've been to California.
The nuptials (fancy!) of my daughter, Carla Jablonski, and Arthur Lazalde took place on June 13, 2026 at the Victorian Gardens of Two Sisters in Central Valley CA, officiated by Wade Watson, a dear friend who was ordained for the occasion, pink suit and all.
Why Wade? Backstory: With absolute faith in Carla's abilities, we made a Leap Of Faith and moved to NY in early 2002 to provide her with opportunities only the city could offer. Wade and his wife Laura were neighbors in our apartment building downtown, and Carla, then 15, offered to babysit their 2 toddlers. That was the beginning of a very special friendship.
Now that she was a resident of NYC, she could audition for specialized high schools. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art (the Fame school from the 1980 movie) accepted her as a drama student just days before classes started.
She continued as nanny to the children, Christina and Damon, who followed in her footsteps and became musicians as well. Wade and Laura were her second parents, always encouraging and supportive. She went on to Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School, and to this day, they are always there to cheer her on.
Years later, Carla met Arthur at a karaoke bar shortly before the Pandemic shut down the city of NY and the Metropolitan Opera where they both worked, she as a singer, he as an a actor, but they never interacted until their first date at a karaoke bar in early 2020. Days later, they packed up and drove to a friend's cabin to isolate on the coast of Maine. Before they left, Carla confided in me, "I think he's ok..."
Our Story
Once upon a time, an opera singer and an actor performed on the same Metropolitan Opera stage (literally crossing paths) but had never met ..until.. They swiped right. March 10, 2020. Our First date: Cornerstone Karaoke. NYC. We had no idea what was coming. Most couples ease their way toward living together. We did it in reverse. Only days after meeting, we grabbed masks and sanitation wipes from a friend, loaded the car, and headed North before the city shut down. A tiny cabin on the coast of Maine became our first home. We cooked — her family dishes, his family dishes, whatever we could dream up. We sang and danced and clowned around to ease our worries and comfort each other in the midst of great uncertainty. In doing so, we learned how to be a team. In a time of great darkness, we found light and hope in each other. We were very lucky. Ladybug luck refers to the widespread belief that ladybugs are symbols of good fortune, happiness, and love. The cabin was full of them and on the first evening one had landed on Arthur so, naturally, he made a wish. Inspired by our tiny roommates, we made a short film called Ladybug. In the final scene, she walks into the ocean and is spit back out. That felt true: when the world closed, we made a smaller one that opened - a world in which we are stronger together. We found a creed that still fits: “Nothing’s going to be OK, but together we’re going to be OK.” Not cynicism - steadiness - together. For 3 months, we embraced the simplicity of our cabin life; when the city reopened, we brought our bubble back to the world—meeting each other’s friends, families, and places. Honeymoon first, dating later. Living in reverse revealed that we could depend on each other and find steadiness no matter what life threw at us. Our first year together was full of life's surprises. With all the beautiful and good came equally hard times: a car fire in Spring 2021, a health scare and diagnosis that Fall, and the loss of Carla's parent Shelly soon after. Yet even with each misfortune, we found great fortune, trust in our creed and undeniable support from our loved ones who lifted us up throughout. Again and again, someone—friend, stranger, fate—showed up right on time to remind us that we were going to be OK and we've believed and trusted in it ever since. With such abundant love we would be more than ok. The rest grew naturally and our love spawned effortlessly. We remained curious, open and kept making memories—some on stages, some in kitchens, some on epic drives under big skies. We fed people often - Carla loves to host a dinner party! We learned patience on long days, humor on short ones, and how to keep choosing each other in the in-between. Our lives were as rich as our love and the love around us. For his 40th birthday, Carla threw Arthur a surprise Roast & Toast Cabaret surrounded by family and friends. And in true Arthur fashion and flair, he reversed the surprise and proposed with the ring he was already wearing—a little theater band with the comedy and tragedy masks. A year later, on her birthday Carla felt it only appropriate to return the proposal. Two performers, one duet, and with equal hearts - one vow: We choose each other—and then we choose again. Now we’re making official what we’ve practiced since Maine. We found a garden with California light, asked our friend Wade to stand with us, and our friends and our family to surround us. We have planned a night-before cabaret—roasts, toasts, songs and celebration, and a little room for luck. June 13, 2026. If you’re reading this, you’re already part of it and helped us grow as one—the couches, the calls, the meals, the countless laughter and so much love. Bring your blessing; we’ll bring the feast. And if a ladybug lands on you that night, make the wish. We’ve learned those little signals know exactly where they’re going.
I neared my destination and was overwhelmed by the landscape of Central Valley from the air. The local who had the window seat switched with me so I could view the vast landscape. This is the agricultural heart of California, producing more than half the fruits, vegetables, and nuts grown in the United States in more than 7,000,000 acres. It was like flying over a patchwork quilt as far as the eye can see.
There was no cake (smashing), no throwing the bouquet (it was gifted to me to preserve), no blue garter, no drunken speeches, no candy table (Polish tradition). The reception was held in a garden setting with cocktails served in vintage teacups.
