Got To Be was the theme for Tara Swain and Mark Pervine's May 24, 2008 nuptials at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. According to Pervine, it defined their whole relationship.
"I love this R&B group called Jagged Edge," explained Mark. "When Tara and I were on our first date and I turned on the cd player, their song Gotta Be started playing. I found out she loved Jagged Edge too and this was one of her favorite songs. That song became a theme for our relationship and transcended into a theme for our marriage."
Apparently, the two were meant "to be." They met at an Indianapolis nightspot, the Subterra Lounge, in March 2007.
"I didn't want to be there so I had an attitude," said Tara. "I had been to another party with my friends and we stopped there on our way home. My friends were laughing and talking and dancing, but I wasn't. I wouldn't even smile."
Mark, a native of Indianapolis, was living and working in Michigan. He was home for the weekend. Like Tara, he was out with friends and dropped by The Subterra Lounge. He spotted Tara sitting at a table alone. It took him about 20 minutes to approach her, but when he did, he not only got her to smile, he got her to dance. Before they said goodbye for the evening, he got her phone number. Two days later, he called her. Six months later, he proposed.
Mark took Tara to Cincinnati to pop the question. They checked into the Crown Plaza Hotel, had dinner at a Brazilian steak house, then they took a drive along the river front.
"We got out of the car and walked a bit. He checked out the place then said 'Never mind.' We got back in the car and drove around some more. I thought we were going in circles!" said Tara.
Mark was looking for the perfect spot. He found it-a secluded area overlooking the river not far from Paul Brown Stadium. He told Tara he was tired of leaving her in Indianapolis. He wanted her to move to Michigan. He got down on one knee and proposed. She said yes!
Tara wanted a fairy tale wedding and that is what she had. This petite princess floated down the aisle wearing a strapless ballgown and a fingertip veil. Breaking with tradition, she walked on petals scattered by Mark.
The two of them recited vows they wrote for each other. Tara promised, "... to respect you, to honor you, and to laugh with you..."
Mark responded, "The greatest gift is love and there is no love greater than the love I have for you."
The reception was magical and they danced the night away. The matron of honor offered these words, "If you keep the four C's-Christ, Commitment, Compromise, and Communication-active in your marriage, you will live happily ever after."