Benicia natives tie knot in 2012, but amid whirlwind forget to post notice of union

By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter

Weddings are big days for couples and their families, and the planning that leads up to the ceremony can make all involved a little frazzled.

It can be even worse when shortly after the ceremony, the couple is about to move across the country.

That’s what happened to Darlene Cortez Parilla Montgomery, who lived in Benicia most of her life until after her wedding last year to Robert Paul Harper Montgomery, a United States Navy serviceman.

To her regret, amidst all the hoopla of her wedding Darlene forgot to put any announcement of their wedding ceremony in any newspaper.

The two had known each other for many years, having met in their third-grade class at Joe Henderson Elementary School, and their crush began growing almost from that day.

“He was into playing guitar, dirt bike riding and football,” Darlene said. “He was even on the football team for Benicia High School up until his senior year.”

Darlene had other interests — musical theater and the arts.

“When I was younger, I loved to compete in singing competitions,” she said. “I remember reading articles from The Benicia Herald regarding some of my singing competitions that my mom sent to your paper.

“She wrote to your paper when I won and performed on national television at ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ in New York and ‘Ed McMahon’s Next Big Star’ show in Las Vegas,” Darlene said.

“She also wrote to your paper when I won the grand champion titles at California state competitions and regional competition, My mom still has those newspaper clippings to this day.”

Later, Darlene’s family would move to Southern California so she could pursue singing, acting and modeling. She earned a bachelor’s degree in drama from the University of California-Irvine.

Meanwhile, Robert joined the Navy four years ago, and recently re-enlisted for another four years. He’s been promoted to E-5 Petty Officer Second Class.

The two reunited at the 2005 Benicia High School Homecoming game and dance, Darlene said.

After a five-year, long-distance relationship, including Robert’s deployment from May to November 2011, the couple was married July 7, 2012, in St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, with their reception at the Delta Breeze Club at Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, where Darlene sang a song she wrote for her new husband.

Between those two events, they made a special stop — to Joe Henderson Elementary School, where they posed for wedding pictures and videos. “After all, that is where we first met!” she said.

But, “Being so busy planning a wedding in only four months, and preparing for my big move across the country, we forgot to send a wedding announcement,” she said.

But July is a special month for the couple. They marked their six-year dating anniversary July 1, and their first wedding anniversary is today. “We are now residing in Jacksonville, Fla., where my husband is stationed,” Darlene said.

“Life in the military is both challenging and rewarding. I support my husband in his naval career, as I am very proud to be a wife of a military man who supports his family, and at the same time serves his country the best way he can,” she said.

“Getting married and finally moving in with my best friend and the love of my life has been a dream come true, and Benicia will always have a special place in our hearts, because that is where our love story first started!”