Elmont couple ties the knot on Valentine’s Day

More than a dozen couples were married or renewed their vows on Valentine’s Day at Hempstead’s Town Hall, at 1 Washington St. in Hempstead. Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Clerk Mark Bonilla officiated the ceremonies.

“Joining two people together in matrimony was one of my most enjoyable town clerk duties and I am thrilled to be able to continue this tradition as supervisor,” Murray said. “It was also wonderful to join our local seniors who demonstrated that they are young at heart and their love is ageless by renewing their vows.”

Bonilla said most couples married in Town Hall pick Valentine’s Day for the date.

Among the couples married Monday, Feb. 14, were Tegan Flanders, 26, and Carolina Benitez Esparza, 21, of Elmont. Flanders said the two have been together for seven months, but Esparza corrected him by saying it had been eight months. Esparza, currently a student, is originally from Argentina; Flanders, a stock broker, grew up in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

The two met through mutual friends and said they were getting married Feb. 14 because it was easier to remember one day, rather than two. “After this it was Saint Patrick’s Day,” Esparza said, adding that last Monday was the “most romantic day of the year.” Just before the ceremony began, Flanders asked his grandfather, Ronald, to be his best man. Flanders handed him the ring with a laugh and said, “Make sure I’m not stupid enough to lose it.”

A special addition to this year’s ceremonies were classic love songs, performed by the Jackson Main Elementary School choir.