Courtesy of: The Morning News
ORANJESTAD — Karen Lutzker and her husband Aaron are enthusiastically loyal to their favorite vacation destination, Aruba. Recently they celebrated 54 years of wedded bliss at their favorite venue to do so, Swiss Chalet. The couple married in 1960 at the age of eighteen, “as soon as she was legal,” quips Aaron, but according to law, he had to have his parents’ permission!
Though married quite young, their union has stood the test of time, as has their devotion to their annual island vacation destination. They met while they were both applying and competing for the same job at age sixteen, a part-time position as a cashier in a market in their hometown of Far Rockaway, New York.
“I was the one to really pursue the position,” explains Karen. “I made such a pest of myself, calling the market every day to find out if I got the job, they finally gave it to me. If anything, they admired my persistence.”
However, it was Aaron, once romance began to bloom between them, who proved persistent. He returned to the market several weeks later to see what was happening on the job front, and Karen noticed “this very attractive young man, but I couldn’t quite remember where I knew him from,” She searched the market’s aisles to find him, and struck up a conversation.
It appears Aaron was quite smitten as well, and pestered his mother for any excuse to stop by the market every day. “It could have been for a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs, but I found some way to see Karen and talk to her.” Finally, she would find him waiting for her when her shift was done, ready to walk her home. The sweethearts married as soon as they were able, and have never regretted it. Aaron’s devotion is such that he still carries their wedding picture in his wallet, as well as a photo of Karen on the beach taken during their first visit to Aruba nearly 40 years ago.
Karen’s enthusiasm for the island blossomed into one of the very first destination wedding operations to provide wedding planning services for Aruba to prospective brides and grooms. She named it Cayena Weddings, for the Papiamento name of the hibiscus flower, as she wanted it to be distinctly Aruban. Partnering with Edwina Werlemen, they promoted the concept of memorable, elegant ceremonies on the beach, for which the island is ideal. They also worked very closely with many of the hotels, long before they organized their own departments with dedicated wedding planners. “I think it is very reassuring for young couples planning a wedding to have someone present in the U.S. for them to speak to personally, and then another on the island to implement their plans. Nowadays, I work with Dream Weddings, and we truly enjoy sharing this very happy time with our clients, be it a wedding, bar mitzvah, or a renewal of vows.”
Karen and Aaron look forward every year to celebrating their anniversary on Aruba, and even did a renewal of vows here for their Golden Jubilee. “I decided on a winter wedding date, even though everyone had to brave the ice and snow, so we could go away on our honeymoon to a sunny destination, and make it a winter escape, ” she explains. “We honeymooned in Miami Beach, but once we discovered Aruba, it became our prime destination, and we purchased timesharing in Casa Del Mar as soon as it was ready. Now we look forward to sharing our anniversary celebration with dear friends, like Renny of Chalet Swiss, who always treats us like family and makes it special.”
