Trinity Hall Residence Director Anne Kooi and Trinity International University (TIU) Director of Networking and Telecommunications Kelvin Tohme were married in the Arnold T. Olson Chapel center Saturday afternoon.
The two met while Tohme was giving an Information Technology (IT) presentation last year to the Trinity Residence Directors and Assistants about using GroupWise – email communication software – and accessing the TIU network. Kooi stayed afterward to ask questions, but friends say that she confessed it was for a little more than just getting information about the technology.
Tohme and Kooi quickly recognized long-distance running as one of their common interests and both participated in the Chicago Marathon in Fall 2006. Tohme popped the question last summer at the romantic Castle Coch in Wales, and slipped an engagement ring on Kooi’s finger after she excitingly proclaimed “yes!”
“These rings are more than some wedding bling” said Rev. Steve Argue after the couple repeated their vows. The informal style of Reverend Argue’s message and his long, blond, shaggy hair added flair to the traditional, yet contemporary, ceremony in which only one cell phone sounded.
The guests were escorted to their seats and the wedding party was accompanied to the stage with hymns performed by a solo instrumental pianist. The Bride began the small stretch to her Groom, lined by family, friends, students and faculty, while bridesmaid and TIU’s Johnson Residence Hall Director Heather Harms sang “Praise to the Lord.”
The service continued with a congregational reading of Psalm 100, Lamentations 3:22-26 and Isaiah 25, and another solo by Harms. She sang “Jesus What a Beautiful Name,” a song she had sung to encourage roommate Kooi.
Friend of the Groom and TIU’s IT Director of PC Support and Instructional Technology Chris Miller also read scripture from Romans 12:1-3 and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School student Matt Tebbe lead the couple in worship.
When not fixed on each other’s eyes, Kooi and Tohme faced the audience during most of the service, smiling warmly and showing appreciation for all of the love and encouragement that was present in the room. The anticipation and excitement in the chapel could not be denied, and it was intensified by Kooi’s glowing smile and Tohme’s raised eyebrows.
“Thanks for being H-O-T hot!” said Tohme to his bride as they exchanged personal comments before they recited their vows. Laughter sprang immediately from the crowd – half in surprise and half in confusion. “I don’t know why they’re laughing,” continued Tohme coolly, “Because you’re Honest, Open, and Transparent.” Kooi responded with a curtsey and reciprocated with an insightful story about the recent impact the worship song “Blessed be the Name of the Lord” had on her life.
Row by row, the couple greeted and dismissed the guests to the Lew Center, which was transformed into a reception hall with its light fixtures, white table cloths and centerpieces of long-stemmed red roses. The bathrooms were stocked with dinner mints and the lofted balconies were adorned with lights and an overflow of guests, all who enjoyed dinner from “On The Border” Mexican cuisine served by Sedexho caterers.
Dancing continued well after finished dinner plates were removed from the tables and Groomsman and TIU Athletic Director Patrick Gilliam gave a three-point sermon as his Best Man speech. While the wedding party kidnapped Kooi, Tohme was forced to slow-dance by himself in order to bring her back to the dance floor. Tohme also serenaded his new bride with a Steven Curtis Chapman solo.
After hours of celebration, the newlyweds performed their grand exit and Tohme surprised his wife Sunday morning with a one-week honeymoon in Costa Rica.
