Vincent S. Pepe

Born in Astoria, Queens on March 22, 1965.

There are so many different people that come and go into our lives that I didn't think it was fair for me or for any one other person to tell Vinnie's life story. I hope that all who visit will share stories here and be able to fill in the blanks.

 

Although many family members call him Vincent to me his is just Vin. Our life together started 9/19/98 in NY. Vin is 9 years older than me although at many times if you've known us as a couple, you would think he was much older than that. I wouldn't say it was love at first sight but it was something special even if we both didn't think so at the time.

 

I was 23 at this time and my life was all about being out on the town with friends. He was 32 and it seemed this was his life too. Where did we meet you ask? At a club of course, specifically at the bar.  His first question to my friend (who he knew) when he approached was to ask in such a subtle way if I had "baggage". In otherwords, do I have kids and/or a husband.  The answer..no. (This would be really amusing when later I would find out he has 2 kids) What was the next question..."How old are you??" He didn't seem to pleased with my answer to say the least.  After a few drinks, and a few dances all seemed to be going well. We talked for hours then took an early AM drive down to Robert Moses. This night began our life together...

Right before Christmas 1999 - Vinnie proposed behind Mike's Pizza in pick up truck. Happiest day of our my life up until that moment anyway.

In the first week of May 2000 we decided to move to Florida. We both had enough of the bullshit going on around us and we wanted to move ahead with our lives. This was a tough decision since we had no car, no apartment and no jobs when we left for Florida. We left NY with only a few  we had hundred dollars.

 

Vinnie and I both worked 2 full-time jobs when we got to Florida. He worked at a garage during the day and JCP at night. I worked at Eckerd’s during the day and Walgreens at night. I walked to both jobs and he took a bus and a bicycle. We stayed with friends for about 3 weeks before moving into a studio on the beach. We cried everyday and wanted to go back to NY but we were determined to make it work.  

 

Just when we thought all was lost we both found better jobs and transportation. After a few months and many trips to western union (don’t know what we would have done without Fran and Peg) we moved into our first real apartment and started our lives together in Florida.

 

This is the day we thought would never happen. Our wedding day - the day we would no longer be living in sin, but as MR. & MRS. VINCENT PEPE. The planning had been going on for months. Then without warning, 9/11 would happen and our plans changed as well.

 

Wedding party members wouldn't fly others couldn't get to NY for the wedding so we thought about changing the date. We discussed it (quite loudly) for a few weeks and decided to stay with our date.

 

Although many people weren't there to share the day with us we managed to hold a pretty good party. I will never forget everything about that day but especially the wedding song Vinnie picked out for me...  I believe in you and me - Four Tops. For someone who put up a tough guy attitude, he really knew how to let me know he loves me. 

 

 

 

Finally - something to call our own. Our First home. Located in scenic North Carolina (LOL). This house is both the greatest accomplishment for Vinne and I. Although we would not have it long and we both regret the move from Florida to NC I am glad he finally got to see all the misery and suffering wasn't all in vain.  For the man who thought it would never happen, it was all for you.

On May 4, 2008 something unexpected happened that shattered the lives of many people. On this day I lost my soul mate, my husband, and my best friend. On this day the world lost the kind of person you know only once in a lifetime. Until we meet again..