Ekaterina & Charlie

Ekaterina and Charlie met in August of 2011 at Dram in Mountain Brook Village. The two were there for a surprise party for one of Charlie’s friends, however Charlie was actually never told about the party. Charlie was called by the birthday boy and convinced to get off the couch and attend the party. (And thank God he did or the two would have never met!!) Ekaterina says as soon as Charlie walked into Dram there was an immediate attraction between the two. They spent the rest of the night chatting and ignoring the rest of the party festivities. A few days later Charlie called Ekaterina and asked her to go out with him and that’s when their journey began.

In December of 2012 Charlie and Ekaterina had just gotten back to their apartment after a night out with friends. Ekaterina was getting ready for bed when Charlie walked into the bedroom. He dropped down next to her on the bed. As he looked into her eyes he told Ekaterina how much he loved her and even pronounced her full name, Ekaterina Dmitriyevna Funtikova. (Which is no easy task!) Charlie asked her to marry him. Thinking that Charlie was kidding, she pointed out that he didn’t even have a ring. Charlie reached into his pocket and pulled out an engagement ring and Ekaterina said YES!! After calling family and loved ones Ekaterina was told that the ring she was given was Charlie’s grandmother’s engagement ring.

Ekaterina has really enjoyed planning her and Charlie’s wedding in general as well as coordinating her parents trip over from Russia. She says the big day will be very special not only because she gets to marry the love of her life but also because her parents are able to attend this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. The wedding is to be held this weekend at St. Francis.