John Bartholomew first met Rob Pica more than 30 years ago.
“In March of 1982, I had just moved to New York City from Chicago after having recently broken up with my partner at the time,” says Bartholomew, who hails from Jamestown, N.Y. “My colleague Russell happened to be dating someone who worked with Rob.
“One day Russell said, ‘Let’s go for a walk,’ not saying we were going to meet someone,” he continues. “We went to the phone company office right across the street from Madison Square Garden and that’s when I first met Rob.”
It wasn’t until 2012, however, that the potential for a wedding came into the picture.
Pica, originally from Haverstraw, N.Y., shares what changed. “After moving to Florida in 2012, I wanted to get married once same-sex marriage became legal in Florida. John was reluctant as that wasn’t recognized nationally. After so many years together, we longed for the day when our union could be legal and treated with the same respect and acknowledgment as straight couples.”
It wasn’t long before same-sex marriage was to become legal nationwide, and once it did, Bartholomew quickly changed his mind. “Immediately following the Supreme Court’s decision during Pride 2015, John agreed to wed, and we were married one week later,” Pica says.
In July 2015, the two married in St. Petersburg, wearing matching Hawaiian outfits.
The wedding went off without a hitch, and the ceremony was followed by a celebration with their loved ones. They agree it was a day they will never forget, filled with special moments for both of them.
“We had a small luncheon reception with friends at the Columbia restaurant in Tampa, and we had dragged with us this huge floral arrangement Rob’s sister had sent us,” Bartholomew remembers. “It went from our condo to the church to the restaurant and it was so big, all white flowers: gladioli, lilies, orchids, roses. It was a challenge taking it in and out of the car without ruining it!”
Pica laughs, “[I remember] that I cried through the entire ceremony so most of the pictures feature me sobbing.”
“Way back in the beginning, I made Rob cancel a date with someone else. Guess I knew then he was the one,” Bartholomew shares. “As the years went by I realized Rob was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.”
Wedding date: July 5, 2015
Venue: Connection Church Tampa Bay
Colors: Hawaiian
Wedding Song/Artist: “Looking Through The Eyes of Love” by Melissa Manchester
Caterer: Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City
Officiant: Rev. Steve Andrews
Theme: Love
Planning a wedding? Click here to check out our 2018 LGBTQ Wedding Guide to use as a great resource to find several LGBTQ wedding resources for your special day!
