February 8, 2012

A wedding worth waiting for

Local couple finds love after years of friendship

The Chelsky family today

The Chelsky family today

Though Brian and Risa Chelsky had known each other for years, it wasn’t until university that sparks began to fly. They say that after their first date it was clear they were a match made in heaven. And now, with a successful business and two children to their credit, the duo say that despite the wait they wouldn’t have it any other way. Brian and Risa share their story:

How they met

Funny enough, Brian and I have known each other most of our lives, Risa recalls. After years of knowing of one another from family acquaintances, we both happened to be in the right place at the right time. We were in the same psychology class at York University. Brian came by to say hello one day, and then he asked me out. Good thing for me I said yes. How was I to know how he felt all those years? The first date We did what most people do on a first date: dinner and a movie, says Brian. After the movie, we listened to the baseball game in the car and talked. Risa is a New York Yankees fan, and I am a Toronto Blue Jays fan. Being a Friday night and still early, Risa invited me in to her parents’ house to watch the rest of the game. We talked until early morning. We had no idea how much time had gone by. I do remember that the Yankees won! That Saturday morning, I was writing the GMAT exam. “I didn’t do well,” I said to my parents afterwards, but I told them that Risa was the one I was going to marry.

The courtship

From a date in the early fall of 1985 to an engagement proposal in January 1986, in just eight short months we were married, says Risa. It all happened so fast we knew it was meant to be. I remember our first Valentine’s together. Brian invited me for dinner. He was not much of a cook, but I appreciated the effort he made. From a table set with candles and a rose to an almost perfectly cooked barbecue dinner, the night was very romantic.

The proposal

I wasn’t expecting anyone, and my father answered the door, says Risa. Brian asked my father for my hand in marriage. My dad said, “One minute” and closed the door while Brian waited outside. I came to the door. I gave Brian a quick kiss and a hug and said, “Yes.” Then I sent him home so I could study for my exam. I’m not sure, but I probably didn’t get much more studying done after that. The next day, I happened to call my aunt, not knowing that Brian was there.

When I found out what was happening, I quickly drove over to her house. Brian was very romantic. We went into the family room. He took a pillow and placed it on the floor. Then he kneeled down and put the engagement ring on my finger. I was in heaven.

Their lives today

I can’t think of anyone else that I would want to spend my life with, says Brian. We are approaching our 23rd year of marriage. My wife and I own and operate Careful Hand Laundry & Dry Cleaners, a third generation family business started by my mother’s father and uncle. The company is entering its 80th year. Also, Risa has been working for the last number of years at Temple Sinai in the office. One of the high points in our marriage was paying off the mortgage on our first house, but the two most important high points are our children: our daughter Bari, 11, and son Jacob, almost 10.

Secret to success

It isn’t always easy to remember that we are on the same team and share many of the responsibilities of both our family and work. Communicating and just knowing when to compromise goes a long way. We aren’t afraid to show our feelings. We don’t always have to agree, but finding common ground is important. No problem is too great to tackle as long as we do it together. We are both in this for the long run.

Every couple has a story to share. If you would like to share yours, please contact the editor at 416-250-7979, ext. 225, or news@postcitymagazines.com.

This article appears in the June 2009 issue of Post City Magazines

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