Happy Valentine's Day - Love really is all around!

Sometimes in life we look at each other and can't believe we got so lucky. Our lives since getting together have not always been been easy, in fact anyone who has followed our story will know that start was a little rocky but that said over the past few years we have taken some pretty big steps together and seen our lives improve dramatically.

Getting married was one of those significant steps and with it the official bringing together and uniting of our lives. We have always shared friends we met together but the wedding brought our old friends closer and into 'our world'.

One of those friends is a wonderful lady called Kate. Her and Laura have actually been friends from childhood and we were lucky enough to live with her briefly when we moved to Oz in 2010. Getting to know Kate back then was great but it was after we left that our joint friendship flourished. She became a natural choice for both of us as head bridesmaid and it led to a part of our Idaho wedding speech that leaves me with a tear even now. 'Laura was always my sister and while she was meant to marry my brother to make it official I am not sad that didn't happen, in fact this way I get an extra sister' (I may be paraphrasing).

Our time in Australia was split between staying with Kate in Sydney and with Laura's family on the Central Coast. There will be posts to follow that highlight our goings on but as it is Valentine's Day I wanted to share something so filled with love, so kind and so thoughtful that it should bring a smile whether you celebrate today or not.

On our return from the Central Coast Kate and her friend Mel had organised a Hawaiian themed party at her parents house. It would involve Kate's parents, Laura's parent (who were also out in Oz) and a few nearest and dearest. We had bought Hawaiian shirts especially and thought the day would be spent in the pool and with a true Aussie BBQ. The day did include that, and it was much needed as the temperature was well in the 30's. However what we didn't expect was that Kate was throwing us a wedding.



We will get the footage edited ASAP but here's the scene....it's hot. Like really hot as polyester Hawaiian shirts don't breathe, and we have diet cokes in hand providing refreshment. We plan to jump in the pool imminently when Kate disappears, On her return Laura and I are asked to stand. Mel places veils on us and we are told we are getting married.....

Here's the ceremony in full:

'Today we are here to celebrate the return of some of our favourite people. Now seeing as we live so far apart and we don't all get to see each anywhere near as much as we would like, we thought we would throw a party to able to celebrate all the events we have missed over the last few years. So, here's to all the birthdays, Christmases, new year’s, Easters, Thanks giving’s,  Thanksmases, Australia days, fourth of July's, St Georges days, Halloweens, labour days, Queens birthdays, anniversaries and the reason for us all being together last. A certain wedding in the mountains. 

Now I told you both that Mel and I had been planning the ‘Welcome to summer tropical Hawaiian theme party’ for pretty much the last decade but it's taken a super special occasion to make it happen. I also told you that we had tweaked the idea just a tad because you were coming.

Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the welcome to summer tropical Hawaiian wedding theme party!

Seeing as you got married in England and had your wedding in the states, we figured, why should Australia miss out on the love?!

So....    Clear throat. 

Take it away Father Bob (Kate's Dad).

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of this flamingo to witness the super legal and binding wedding ceremony of our beloved Laura and Sarah. Part 3!

OFFICIANT: You fell in love by chance, but you're here today because you're making a choice. You both are choosing each other. You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, and makes every day brighter.

You're about to make promises to each other that you intend to keep. You're going to vow to take care of each other, to stand up for one another, and find happiness in the other. You're teaming up and saying to the other, "Every experience and photo I am going to have, I want you to be a part of."

 (Vows)

Will you, Laura, keep Sarah as your favourite person — to laugh with her, go on adventures with her, support her through life's tough moments (like having to eat Kate's horrible pumpkin seed bread), be proud of her, grow old with her, and find new reasons to love her every day?

LAURA: I will.

Will you, Sarah, keep Laura as your favourite person — to laugh with her, go on adventures with her, support her through life's tough moments (like SUP yoga), be proud of her, grow old with her, and find new reasons to love her every day?

SARAH: I will.

OFFICIANT: Will you, Laura and Sarah, be each other's partners from this day forward? Will you bring out the best in one another, share your happiest moments together, and love each other absolutely — for the rest of this lifetime and for whatever may come next?

LAURA AND SARAH: We will.

(Ring Pop exchange)

OFFICIANT: Rings have been chosen for you to wear rings as a reminder of these promises. People often say wedding bands are a perfect circle, with no beginning and no end. But these rings did have a beginning. They're adjustable so have a gap at the back to start with. Like you two, they're also as solid as a rock. Although it's more rock candy than an actual rock but hey, you've already got rocks on those fingers and these ones are way bigger. They will also have an end as they are sweets so will probably be eaten by the end of the day. What you should take from these rings is that it is important to be solid in your love for each other, to be sweet to each other, to be flexible for one another and to always bring a smile to each other’s faces.

Final words.

Laura and Sarah, we have watched you grow together over these last two years and can't imagine either of you without the other now. May your love always be celebrated by those around you. The first wedding was legal, the second was enchanting, but hey, the third times a charm. And now by the power vested in me by Kate telling me I was going to be officiating, I now pronounce you wife and wife. You may kiss your bride.'

And just like that, in between the tears we were married in Australia, our home for 2010. We can't thank Kate enough, for the wedding, for the amazing words, for the thoughtfulness and for the love and kindness she is always so ready to give. This wedding, along with our other two, will be remember always. We really are lucky ladies.

We then jumped in the pool - not something that happens on most wedding days i'm guessing but much needed on ours. 

Valentine's Day should be a reminder that love is not something that only occurs between a couple, love really is all around us. Whether you celebrate Galentines with your girlies, Gayentines or any other form of Valentine's remember love is inclusive, if you give love you are never alone. Just remember to tell those that you do love - actions may speak louder than words but it's always nice to hear. 

So with that 'Happy Valentine's Day - we love you'.