Newlyweds spend honeymoon stranded in Miami, say it's brought them closer
Two Oklahoma newlyweds spent their honeymoon stranded at Miami's airport.
— -- Two Oklahoma newlyweds who are spending their honeymoon stranded at Miami International Airport and a shelter say the experience has strengthened them as a couple.
Mark and Melanie Athey were married last Saturday in Oklahoma and planned to spend their honeymoon in the Dominican Republic. But their connecting flight out of Miami was canceled. When they were unable to get any flights out of the state, they found out about Hurricane Irma making its way to Florida.
"We had no idea; we didn't have electricity. We didn't have cell phone service. We didn't have a way to charge our phones to try and get any information from friends or family,” Melanie said.
The newlyweds slept in the airport for a few days before they were moved to an evacuation shelter.
They have had no fresh clothing to change into and little food. But the experience has deepened their appreciation of each other and the everyday sustenance that can be easy to take for granted.
"We haven't had any opportunity or conditions to even be able to shower, to have the basic necessities of life and I guess things we take for granted every day," Melanie said. "And I think I'll have a better appreciation from now on.”
It wasn’t the honeymoon they expected, but in a way it may have helped to seal the vows they took on their wedding day.
"We really think this has made our relationship much stronger,” Mark said. “It’s brought us closer together. We had some testy moments, but we made it through it and we're here and we're thankful to be here."
Miami International Airport may reopen Tuesday. The Atheys say they are still determined to get to the Dominican Republic to celebrate a belated honeymoon.
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