Wednesday 29 August 2007

What were you doing 15 years ago today ? ( Oh, and please forgive the wedding pics ? Just indulge me ! )



15 years is a long time. In my life 15 years has been full to bursting. I have become Auntie to 7 children. Great Aunt to 1 child ( well Step Great Aunt really ). I have given birth to 2 beautiful boys. I have seen my Dad die and my lovely Mother-in-Law too. I have lost friends and seen times of joy and despair. I have run 2 Half Marathons, walked 4 Moon Walk Marathons, run 3 10k races and 4 5k races. I have been fat and I have been thin.




But the main strength of my life has been my Man. My rock. And today, 15 years ago, was the day we got married. I remember the day dawned hot and sunny, with blue skies born of a stormy night. I have never been as sure of anything as I was that day. I knew absolutely that he was my Man and I was his woman and I wanted to marry him and be his wife.




After photographs and smoked salmon sandwiches with champagne in the garden of my parents house I left, with my Dad, for the church on the hill. We drove in an open topped blue car that chugged slowly down the road, past all the neighbours who waved and cheered. For the first time I remember my Dad held my hand.






As we reached the church I couldn't wait to go inside and was impatient that the photographer wanted more photos. And then the moment came. I had planned to say hello to all my friends and family as I walked down the aisle, but as soon as I entered the church all I could see was my beautiful Man. As he turned to see me our eyes locked and it was as if there was noone else there. I have never felt so alive in all my life.




Have you ever really listened to the vows at a wedding ? I'm sure you have, but for me that day they came alive for the first time. " Everything that I am I give to you " I managed for a while, but then it felt as if my heart would burst and I knew that if I opened my mouth to repeat the next vow I would just sob with emotion. The vicar repeated it, thinking perhaps I hadn't heard. The church was tense. Tears began to drip silently down my cheeks and I turned to see my sister, my bridesmaid behind me, sobbing silently too. I looked up at my Man and the tears turned to laughter and joy and the whole congregation started laughing too. A church full of happy people whom I loved.




Well, as I say, that was 15 years ago today. I love my Man more than ever and I am so thankful that we are strong and happy. We are a team, bound together by life and love and laughter. Happy Anniversary, my Darling.

9 comments:

Mum's the Word said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mum's the Word said...

What a lovely post! I had tears in my eyes by the end! You were a beautiful bride, Sarah! Happy Anniversary and many, many more!
JJ

FarmWife said...

Congratulations on 15 years of wedded bliss. Your pictures are beautiful & your story even more so. Bless you!

Anonymous said...

Happy happy Anniversary, dear GB2. Your wedding account moved me to tears (tho as you well know by now, tears are never far away with me!!!) and the photos are just gorgeous. You and R have something SO special and you deserve each other! Have a wonderful weekend away and tell me all about it (well...maybe not ALL about it!!) on Tuesday. Take care and lots of love, GB! x x

emily said...

the photos are beautiful. really truly. congratulations on 15 years.

Unknown said...

Thank you chaps ! A little bit of self indulgence, eh ? It was nice looking through the wedding photos again and I'm glad you liked them. S

Inkling said...

Beautiful dress and flowers! You just glowed! Thank you for sharing such a sweet and tender story, and for sharing the photos. Happy anniversary!

Unknown said...

I am so lucky! Thank you for all the lovely compliments !! Sarah

Unknown said...

So wonderful. I'm so glad you're so happy...after 15 years! Amazing. I only hope that someday I'll get to meet you and your man.