David Brodnick Marries Libby Mattern

"Please deliver requests for marriage at least six weeks before the legal event," writes The New York Times. I had started writing David and Libby's in the beginning of April and made a self-deadline to submit it by mid-month. Surely, that was enough time for a June 17 wedding. The problem was: I had a stroke on April 16. 

The announcement languished on my desktop for months as I began my recovery from Strokeland. 

"I have to get the announcement in!" I said to my daughter. She helped me finish and submit it. Alas, we were too late.

So here, for your reading pleasure, is the announcement of the beautiful marriage of David and Libby.

*  *  *

Elizabeth (Libby) Marie Mattern and David Hale Brodnick are to be married on June 17 at Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury, Mass.  Kate Mattern, sister of the bride, received a marriage designation from the State of Massachusetts to officiate the wedding.

The bride, 28, is director of production at Malia Mills, swimwear and ready-to-wear company based in Brooklyn, New York. She graduated from Cornell University where she received a bachelor of science degree in Fiber Science and Apparel Design.

She is the daughter of Mary and Harry Mattern of Kingston, Pennsylvania. Her father is a local attorney and town solicitor of Kingston. Her mother is an artist and art teacher at Wyoming Valley West High School in Plymouth, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Brodnick, 28, is a vice president at BlackRock, a global investment management firm. He graduated from Cornell University where he received a bachelor of arts degree in History and Near Eastern Studies.

He is the son of Bonni and Andrew Brodnick of Tarrytown, New York. His father is a real estate attorney in Rye Brook, New York. His mother is a writer and author of “Pound Ridge Past.”

Although the couple only met briefly at Cornell, their paths crossed several times. They were re-introduced after graduation at a New Year’s Eve party that Mr. Brodnick and his roommates hosted in Brooklyn.  

            
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Found My Good Samaritans: Joe Manno & Janie Parks

Janie Parks and Joe Manno

In my HuffPost, My Stroke: I'm Still Here, I write, "... She (my 86-year-old mother) leaned over and veered the car into the right shoulder, where it collided into the metal beam guard raid. I remember two college-age people in a white car run up to the side of the car. Imagine driving and seeing a car slowly crash. They must have known something must be very wrong. ... The next thing I remember is watching these two Good Samaritans run back to their car. They must have called 911. And then, I was out. Now, 7 months later, I wish I knew who they were. I would them profusely. They saved my life. ...

___________

My quest was to find them. Surely, the Darien EMS would have the information: it was their ambulance that brought me to the hospital. When I called they said they don't have reports from State highways. I was referred to Troop G, who patrols that leg of Interstate 95. They referred me to the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services, who required a letter requesting what I was seeking. I followed up and was told it usually takes 2 years (whahhhh???) to fulfill requests. "I remember your story. I'll send it right out."

I finally received the emergency report.  "Vehicle #1 was traveling southbound in the center lane of three of Interstate 95. Operator #1 suffered a stroke while driving, causing the vehicle to veer into the right shoulder, where it collided in to the metal beam guide rail.

"A witness (Witness #1) that was traveling south bound on Interstate 95, stated that he observed Vehicle #1 traveling sought in the center lane of three. He stated that the passenger traveling in Vehicle #1 was motioning out the window for vehicles to move over and as she was doing so, Vehicle #1 veered into the right shoulder, where it collided into the metal beam guide rail. 

"Operator #1 was unable to provide a statement due to her medical condition. The mother of Operator #1 was traveling in Vehicle #1 stated that her daughter released the steering wheel and would not respond as they were traveling south on Interstate 95. She stated that she then took control of the steering wheel and maneuvered Vehicle #1 from the center lane into the right shoulder, where it then collided into the metal guide rail. ..."

And this is where my two saviors appeared. On the last page of the Connecticut Uniform Police Crash Report were their names, Joe Manno and Janie Parks. 

I found them!!! I researched their phone number and left a message: "This is Bonni Brodnick. I was the person in the crashed car at the side of the highway on Easter morning. I wanted to let you know that I had a stroke and I'm alive. I also wanted you to know that you saved my life. I'm eternally grateful."

The next day, Joe and Janie called.

Squirrel Appreciation Day!!

It's 

a

great 

day

for

SQUIRRELS!

Check out my HuffPost, 

"Squirrel Appreciation Day: Don't Miss Celebrating!"

My New Year's Message: Gratitude

I’m so profoundly grateful to be here after my stroke -- which happened while DRIVING in the MIDDLE LANE of I-95. (A safe crash by my mother, who grabbed the wheel from the passenger seat and headed into the guardrail, was my initial savior, along with two Good Samaritans who stopped to help.) This followed by two hospital stays, lots of PT, OT, speech and an eventual pacemaker ... it's been quite a hike. 

But I’m here!! And thrilled to be spending this New Year’s eve with my favorite guy. Thank you all for the love and encouragement along the way. May your MMXVIII be filled-to-the-max with happiness + good health, 
peace ✌🏻 + love .