Laughlin member makes ‘long-distance’ vows

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Courtney L. Kippenberger
  • 47 FTW Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  What started as a simple trip to the Airman and Family Readiness Center in search of passport guidelines, ended with a lieutenant walking back to his car with information on how he and his fiancé could get married more than 1,000 miles apart.

The process, known in Texas as marriage by proxy, allows couples, such as 1st Lt. Andrew Nickles, 47th Operations Support Squadron, and Amanda, to say their vows over the phone when traditional options are unavailable.

According to Lieutenant Nickles, he and his fiancé were planning on having a traditional ceremony later this year, but as his time in the United States began to dwindle before he had to depart on orders to Mildenhall Air Base, U.K., it became evident there wasn't going to be enough time.

Realizing they were going to have to put the wedding on hold, Lieutenant Nickles stopped by the Airman and Family Readiness Center while out processing to get some information on passports for Amanda.

While obtaining passport information from Carla Rincones, 47th Mission Support Squadron, he explained how Amanda and he were unable to get married because of time restraints. Catering to his needs, Mrs. Rincones explained the option of marriage by proxy.

Lieutenant Nickles took all the information Mrs. Rincones gave him and discussed the option with Amanda, who resides in Montgomery, Ala.

"She was skeptical at first, but due to her work and obligations, she soon realized that marriage by proxy was the only option," said Lieutenant Nickles.

With only three days left in the United States, Lieutenant Nickles hopped in a car Feb. 5 with Mr. Andy Posey and Carla Rincones from the Airman and Family Readiness Center and drove twenty minutes downtown to the Del Rio Courthouse, ready to get married.

After filing the necessary paperwork, Lieutenant Nickles and Mrs. Rincones, who was asked to stand in for Amanda, stood before the local judge.

Lieutenant Nickles took a deep breath before calling his fiancé in Montgomery, to ask if she was ready.

Although it isn't your traditional way, Lieutenant Nickles said, "I love her so much and I wanted to be married to her anyway I could."

Moments later, the phone rang in the office with Amanda and Lieutenant Nickles' mom from Indiana on the line. With everyone ready, the ceremony began.

When it was time for Amanda to say her lines, she had to pause momentarily to gain her composure. Within four minutes, the couple, who was physically more than 1,000 miles away, was announced as Mr. and Mrs. Nickles.

"Our job is to keep his mind on the mission and ensure he is prepared to carry-out the mission. For him, this marriage by proxy is exactly what he needed to ensure he was ready to leave for Mildenhall Air Base.

"We've changed our name and focus from the Family Support Center to the Airman and Family Readiness Center so we can cater to the needs of each individual, for times just like these," Mrs. Rincones said.