Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Fla. Gov. Crist to wed on Friday
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- For someone who waited nearly 30 years between marriages, Gov. Charlie Crist fell in love fast.
Crist met Carole Rome during a trip to New York in September 2007 and was immediately smitten. In the weeks that followed, they were spotted almost everywhere: political events, sporting events -- even a Jimmy Buffett concert. Less than 10 months later, Crist proposed, giving Rome a sapphire engagement ring surrounded by diamonds. She said yes.
And on Friday, Crist will become the first Florida governor since Claude Kirk nearly 42 years ago to be married while in office.
"I was taken with her right away," Crist, 52, said this week. "You know how it is when you fall in love. It's pretty overwhelming -- a very cool thing."
Crist was married the first time in 1980 to a college sweetheart, but the marriage lasted less than a year. It's not something he talks about often, but it did make him more cautious about commitment.
"I don't wish divorce upon anybody," Crist said. "I was definitely gun-shy. It really took somebody special to have my brain get itself around the notion of marriage again ..."
Not that Crist didn't have girlfriends -- but until meeting Rome he often kept his affections low-key. Not so now. He has professed his love to her in front of crowds large and small, and he isn't afraid of a little PDA -- the couple is often seen holding hands and kissing.
"It's been since college since I've seen Charlie act like this," said Brent Sembler, a longtime friend who says Crist is walking around with "those puppy dog eyes."
The wedding will be held at First United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg. About 200 people are expected to attend, though the guest list hasn't been disclosed. Crist's father, Charles Crist, will serve as best man, and Rome's sister, Michele Oumano Powell, will be matron of honor.
"It's not a political event, it's a wedding and weddings have friends and family," said Jim Greer, who Crist picked to chair the state Republican Party.
"This wedding is going to be a celebration of friendship and love," added Greer, who will be attending.
The couple has asked for no gifts because of a Florida gift ban for politicians.
Rome, 39, will wear a floor-length classic silk gown by a Spanish designer and train-length veil. She purchased the gown at the upscale Wedding Atelier in Manhattan. She will be shod in 3-inch heels by British designer Filippa Scott.
Rome, a socialite millionaire, is president of Franco American Novelty Co., her family's New York-area Halloween costume company. She stopped managing its daily business when she moved to ritzy Fisher Island near Miami in 2006. Rome finalized her divorce from Blue Star Jets president Todd Rome last March.
Crist, who has never owned his own home, earns $132,931.56 as governor. He has spent much of his life in public office, serving in the state Senate, as education commissioner and attorney general before being elected governor.
Rome has two daughters, ages 10 and 12, from her previous marriage. They attend school in New York. Crist said the family will divide its time between the governor's mansion, the St. Petersburg condo he rents and Rome's Fisher Island home.
Rome has been involved with charities like March of Dimes and Make-a-Wish Foundation, and Crist says she will continue those interests as Florida's first lady.
"She's got a great heart and cares greatly about children," Crist said. "Carole's very bright, as well as being beautiful and sweet."
Crist has said in the past he'd like to have children of his own, but whether the couple expands the family will be news for another day.
"I know he's talked for years and years about getting married and having a family," said Sembler. "I hope they have children together because I want my friend to experience that."
Former Gov. Kirk, who married his wife Erika a month after taking office in 1967, pointed out that they conceived two children while living in the governor's mansion. He said Crist should, too, if he wants. Other than that, Kirk had little advice for Crist.
"Just get married and be a good husband and continue to be a good governor," Kirk said.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
