An Armenian couple plan to marry among Titanic's artifacts

PanARMENIAN.Net - An Armenian couple with a special connection to the Titanic plan to marry among the ship's artifacts at the Milwaukee Public Museum. Melissa Vartanian, 28, and Vache Mikaelian, 31, will wed on May 15 at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, AP reports.



Melissa Vartanian's great-grandfather, David Vartanian, was fleeing Turkish occupation in Armenia when he boarded the Titanic. He planned to later send for his new bride, Mary.



When the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912 - Vartanian's 22nd birthday - he survived by hanging on the side of a lifeboat. It took him about six years after he recovered to find his wife by searching through newspapers, churches, orphanages and sending numerous letters to Armenia, Melissa Vartanian said. Then it took another five or so years for the couple to be reunited.



Melissa Vartanian said her great-grandparents died before she was born, but she grew up hearing about their story, which she called "the greatest love story I've ever known."

"This is amazing," she said. "This would be a great tribute to this amazing love story and great tribute for my family."



Viewers picked the couple as the winners of a wedding contest run by WTMJ-TV and its morning talk show. The television station paid for the rehearsal dinner, reception, honeymoon, bride's dress and other costs.



Vartanian said she and her fiancé have visited the Milwaukee exhibit along with other Titanic exhibits in other cities. She said some people might think it's a bad omen to get married among Titanic memorabilia, but she doesn't.



"The Titanic doesn't symbolize death and destruction," she said. "It was a journey toward a better life, even though it had challenges."