Myriam Mueller and Daniel Simoes say “I do” on the steps of the historic courthouse in Kissimmee on February 14, 2012, during a mass wedding ceremony to celebrate Valentine’s Day. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel) (Jacob Langston, Orlando Sentinel /February 14, 2012
By David Breen, Orlando Sentinel5:54 p.m. EST, February 14, 2012
On a sunny, springlike Valentine’s Day, 15 couples said their vows — in three languages — on the steps of Kissimmee‘s old courthouse.
“What better day than Valentine’s Day?” asked Kristine Ruiz, who married Lenny Arrevalo. The Kissimmee couple had been engaged for about eight months and learned about Tuesday’s group wedding when they went to the courthouse for a marriage license.
Red balloons festooned the front of the red-brick 1890 structure, and oak trees in Courthouse Square offered shade for scores of friends and family members.
Kim Hennecy, chief deputy clerk of court for Osceola County, hosted the event, despite being on crutches with a broken foot. Hennecy was filling in for Clerk of Court Malcom Thompson, who was recently suspended by Gov.Rick Scott because of allegations that he struck one female staffer and threatened another.
It was the first Valentine’s event and first group wedding for the clerk’s office, but Hennecy said it won’t be the last. “We’re learning from this year’s event,” she said.
