'A Loving Day' as Couple Marries at Town Hall

Michael and Larisa Prisco held hands, smiled, laughed and kissed each other as they were married today—Valentine's Day—at the Yorktown Town Hall. 

In an intimate ceremony, they said their "I do's" in front of two of their friends as witnesses. 

Their love story began at the White Plains library where Larisa, 60, was reading books. Michael, 71, noticed her and introduced himself. They dated for about four months, but separated for another six months while Larisa was in California. Michael decided to get back in touch with her. They've been together for two years.

'The best in people'

It was her personality, Michael said, that made him fall in love, describing her as the "sweetest thing."

"She's caring and loving," he said. "It's really hard to meet someone like that."

The couple glowed with happiness as they talked about each other and what they loved in their partners. 

"Valentine's Day is more than appropriate to get married," Michael said. "It's such a loving day. I'd suggest it to other people to get married on that day. You see the best in people."

Michael said he is happier when he is with his sweetheart and his friend and neighbor Joe Gileza said he sees their love too. 

"Knowing what [Michael] has been through, I see the difference with her," Gileza said. "He's happy and excited when he sees her."

"I can see Larisa is happy," her friend Irina Lednevea of Carmel said. "Now she has thoughts about the future. Several years ago it was hard for her to speak about the future."

Larisa, who worked as an economist in her native Russia and came here seven years ago, described her husband as a smart, interesting man, with many hobbies, including singing and playing the piano. Michael, now retired, was born in the Bronx and worked as an architectural designer. He moved to Yorktown five years ago. 

"He gives me so much in my heart and in my life," she said. "I fell in love with his personality. He makes me better. I hope it will be the best life."

A second chance

Both had been married before, so neither wanted to rush. In marriage, Michael said, there are things you need to accept and adjustments to make. 

Michael's 34-year marriage ended in divorce, while Larisa's 30-year marriage ended when her husband died. He has two daughters and four grandchildren and she has two sons and three grandchildren. 

While Michael's first wife was his high school sweetheart, people's values change over time, he said, and they just fell out of love. And as people get older, their love is supposed to get stronger. Learning that the hard way only made him value it more.

"When people say, 'I love you,' it's through words," he said. "But love is from the heart and the mind." 

Michael and Larisa said they are looking forward to living together and having to be with each other in the morning.

"I'm looking forward to a happy, relaxing life," Michael said. "I want to be happy."

"I just fell in love," Larisa said. "I'm so happy when we are together. When you are in love, everything is fun."

They plan to host a reception with their closest friends and family, about 20 people, in March or early April.

Something very special

Alice Roker, town clerk, who married the couple, said giving out marriage licenses and being a marriage officer are the two best things she does. The couple got their license last week, but when she first met Michael in early January, he left a lasting impression. 

"There is something very special about him," Roker said. "How many men would go out in the middle of a snowstorm to ask if you'd perform a wedding on Valentine's Day?"

Roker said he wanted it to be a surprise. 

"He was happy," she said. "There is something very different about him today in terms of the gentleness of his face."

The newlyweds agreed love could have tangible, physical effects.

"We feel like teenagers," Larisa laughed.