Hello all, thought I would share this story with you because it is just unbelievable. I got an email from my aunt today about an event that occurred involving my cousin's wedding.

My cousin (she is on the east coast)is getting married in October and had sent out rehearsal dinner invitations before the terrorist attack. Some of the invitations didn't make it to those of us on the West Coast, and now we know why.

One of the invitees received a package from London. The below emails explain the rest:

>>>
From: (email removed to protect privacy)
To: (email removed to protect privacy)
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2001 4:02 PM
Subject: Rehearsal Dinner

Dear Aunt Jane and Uncle Charlie:
I hope all is well with you, and that everyone is safe. We have obviously been thinking of Drew and Megan and hope they arrive(d) back from Turkey safe and sound.

I want to share a very strange thing that just happened. We received an overnight package from a Raviv Shtaingos in London. I had no idea who Raviv Shtaingos is, and was a bit suspicious. Inside the package was a torn up, wet and dirty envelope addressed to Charlie and me. It was your rehearsal dinner invitation, mailed from Maine on 9/10. Inside the envelope was a note written on Waldorf/Astoria notepaper:

"Dear Sir/Madam:
Found this on the street on the 11th September 2001 downtown Manhattan. Thought you'd appreciate having it. Yours, Raviv Shtaingos"

You don't suppose it was on one of the two planes from Boston to LA, do you??

Anyway, I thought I would let you know, in case you don't receive responses from some invitees (my parents have not received theirs, for example).

Charlie and I are still planning to come, unless there is some other major event and we don't feel comfortable leaving the boys. So we would love to join you all at Rusty and Josie's rehearsal dinner.

Much love to you both. Hope all is well. XXOO Lawry

>>>

(This next email is from my cousin who also didn't receive her invitation. Josie, is her sister who is getting married.)

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From: (email address removed to protect privacy)
To: (email address removed to protect privacy)

Dear Rusty,

Thank you for forwarding this e-mail. Josie told me the amazing story on the phone last night. After talking to Josie, we deducted that the Rehearsal Dinner invitation addressed to Marc and me was also on one of the plane's that hit the World Trade Center buildings.

I agree with you that it is strange how it has touched so many - and in so many different ways. It definitely leaves an eerie feeling and brings lots of emotions.

It feels unfair...As Josie said to me last night, how does a Rehearsal Dinner invitation (a piece of paper) get saved from such an event where so many human lives were not saved and a concrete and metal building was not saved.

It also warms my heart...That (during the nightmare, fear, and chaos of 9/11/01 in NYC) a stranger (Non-American even) in NYC saw this tattered envelope on the street, picked it up, took it with him to London, and mailed it to Charlie and Lawry. This shows me that most of the people in this world are thoughtful and caring people just like us.

It also makes me feel excited and thankful...All the more excited and thankful that we are making the trip for the wedding in October. Spending time with friends and family has taken on an even more special meaning for me. I can't wait to see everyone.

To tell you the truth, I hadn't even thought about not receiving a Rehearsal Dinner invitation. Of course, Marc and I were planning to be there no matter what. Josie was so sweet to call us last night to make sure we knew we were invited. But, we knew we were invited all along - no matter what those terrorists did with the invitation. So, count Amy & Marc Sevigny on the RSVP list, for sure.

I feel selfishly lucky that my closest friends and family are all safe. And, no matter what, I feel joyful about the forever union between you and my sister. Love, Amy

Amy Sevigny

>>>

We believe that the invitations were on the flight from Boston that slammed into the WTC. I believe that my invitation too, was on that flight.

AnnieTT

 

Wow Annie...That's a fascinating story....

 

Wow, it is fascinating! I think I would do the same thing.

But I have to comment on this part:

> That (during the nightmare, fear, and
> chaos of 9/11/01 in NYC) a stranger
> (Non-American even) in NYC saw this
> tattered envelope on the street, picked
> it up, took it with him to London, and
> mailed it to Charlie and Lawry.

Well, the name "Raviv Shtaingos" sounds perfectly American to me.

 

<<Well, the name "Raviv Shtaingos" sounds perfectly American to me.>>

If you read the letter more accurately, you would see that this person was from London. Let's please not look for racism where it doesn't exist. It doesn't help anyone and I think you should apologize.

 

I apologize if I offended anyone; I really didn't intend to.

Racism? Not at all. Just the opposite. Pointing to the fact that "America" is a mixture of people from all over the world.

When I first started living in the US (in California), it took me some time to realize that the Asian and Mexican people I've been seeing in the Bay Area were not tourists but Americans.

No offend really.

 

That's how I read your response....America is everyone.....

 

Just thought you were reacting to his name being what my cousin was calling non-American. If his name was Bill Smith, would you have responded as such? If so, I understand your point.

I'm in California too, been here seven years almost!!! And I still feel like a tourist, sometimes.

Thanks for your thoughtful response, alibaba.

 

My apologies to you for jumping on you. I've been a little edgy lately. Hmmm, I think I'll go have some twinkies and coca cola now. That should take care of it.

 

Phew... Back to on-topic discussion: I have a TT and I love it.

 

That gave me goose bumps ... incredible.