Rob Privitera and Chuck Lindlau’s story begins where many great love stories do – online. After a month of chatting, the couple had their first date at the Nona Tap Room.
Though they had planned to get one drink, they ended up staying for five, engrossed in conversation.
“I remember I liked the sound of his laugh and after just five minutes I could tell what a kind and caring man he was,” Rob says. “Both of us had just come out of serious long-term relationships and had no intention of dating again. But when feelings quickly developed all those rules went right out the window.”
As someone who has lived in Orlando for most of his life, Chuck’s always on the hunt for new things to do in the city and planning mystery dates for them to do together.
“I know the importance of keeping things fresh in a relationship and the value of shared experiences,” Chuck says. “Among other things, we’ve taken a hot air balloon ride, seen sea turtles lay eggs, hit up the largest swimming pool in the U.S. and completed the Sanford holiday tour of homes. Now, Rob’s gotten in on the planning action. Social distancing in 2020 has really tested our creativity in planning dates.”
In addition to local adventures, Rob and Chuck have also journeyed beyond Florida, traveling everywhere from the Caribbean to Europe together.
It was on one of these trips that Rob proposed to Chuck. The two had been hiking the trails of El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico all day and though they were exhausted, Rob convinced Chuck to do one more trail.
The trail ended in a natural pool fed by a waterfall, where they decided to swim to cool off. As they sat on a rock ledge behind the waterfall, Rob pulled out the ring and popped the question.
“I was very surprised,” Chuck says. “It was totally unexpected!”
The two married in the old courtroom of the Orange County History Center. The words “Equal and Exact Justice to All Men” were hand-painted above the judge’s bench.
“We had been on the steps of the Supreme Court a couple years earlier when the ruling on gay marriage was issued and it was kind of full circle moment that really resonated with me,” Chuck says.
One of the highlights of the day for Rob was when his parents were introduced during the wedding party announcements.
“My mom came walking out waving a pride flag and dancing like I’d never seen a 71-year-old do,” Rob says. “It was both funny and heartwarming. It also got everyone in the mood to start partying.”
Though he got nervous during the couple’s dance because of the 125 people looking at them, Rob also says it was a highlight of the wedding.
“I am not one to like all of the attention,” he says. “Chuck whispered in my ear ‘it’s okay, just look at me’ the entire time to calm me down. He’s always looking out for me and thinking about me.”
Since the wedding, Chuck and Rob continue to constantly visit new places, both internationally and locally.
“On our first anniversary, Chuck took all the photos from our trips, local mystery dates, and everything in between and put them into a book,” Rob says. “Every anniversary since, he gives me a new book that is filled with all of our memories from that year. It has become one of my favorite traditions. Every once in a while, we’ll get the books out and look through them all. As the years go on this takes longer and longer, but I love every minute of it.”
Engagement Date: July 3, 2017
Wedding Date: June 30, 2018
Officiant: Jon Arnold, Once Upon a Wedding
Venue: Orange County History Center
Wedding Song/Artist: “Everywhere” by Carrie Mac (cover of Fleetwood Mac)
Florist: Porch Therapy (East End Market)
Caterer: Premier Catering Services
Bakery: Sweet! by Holly
Photographer/Videographer: Kelly Berringer
DJ/Entertainment: Madd Vybez Entertainment
Wedding Planner: Joyce Otero
