A Trip Down Memory Lane - Part Three - The Newlyweds
October 24th 1988... Dear Diary, today I joined Emily on her search for her dream dress! We had been in our final store for over an hour and Emily was on the verge of giving up. Just when she thought she'd tried every dress that met her specific criteria, she spotted one more. It was displayed on a slender mannequin, shimmering, elegant, rousing awe in all who saw it.
' Do you think it would suit me mum? '
' You have to try this Emily! '
So we asked a shop assistant to reach it down for Emily to try on. ' Of course. It is very beautiful. One of the best I've seen in store for a long time! ' She directed Emily to the changing rooms.
The dress was stunning Diary! It had mid length sleeves made of lace. The bodice was shaped to fit to the lower hip and the full circle skirt dropped to the ankles. White satin. The bodice was boned and was also made of white satin. But it had a pale blue lace overlay. There were white and silver clusters of sequins dotted around the dress to add a little sparkle. A truly gorgeous dress indeed!
While Emily was changing, I looked through the shoes. I found a pair that would really add to the effect. These too were pale blue with a satin like finish. I took hold of them and waited outside the cubicle...
Out she came and oh my! To say she looked like a princess would be a severe understatement! The assistant placed the tiara on Emily's head and let down her wavey Auburn hair, which draped beautifully around her shoulders.
' I think that this is the one! ' She squealed, jumping up and down on a trampoline of excitement. All I could think to say with my wide-eyed-motherly-pride was, ' me too! '
It was perfect! She thought the shoes were fabulous. Both of us were over the moon! Everything amounted to a price within our margin. We floated to a nearby café...
Once settled with our coffee and scones, I asked Emily what James' parents were like.
' I couldn't tell you mum. '
' Has he not taken you to meet them yet? '
' He can't. About a year after we met, James confided in me. His childhood was tragic. But please don't repeat what I am about to say. At least, not 'til James feels comfortable enough to tell you about it himself. '
' Emily, if it's confidential, I won't tell a soul. '
' Okay. ' She paused thoughtfully. ' When James was about seven or eight years old, his parents died in a terrible accident. He ended up in care. '
' Oh my goodness! The poor lad! But...could he not have stayed with his grandparents or other members of his family? '
' No. Both sets of grandparents decided to treat James' parents to a family holiday. His mum and dad were both the only child in their families. Anyway, James' mum was pregnant. So they they wanted them to have a break before the hard work started, having a baby in the house. They were on a coach trip. There was a collision. They were wiped out, along with most of the other passengers! ' Her eyes welled up. ' All his family...gone...just like that! '
' Oh my word! It's a wonder he's sane! '
' He said it made him a very angry boy. As a result, that made it difficult for him to be fostered, adopted and even to develop and sustain friendships. '
' But he's lovely now. Look how well he gets on with your dad and me. It's hard to imagine that he ever suffered such grief! '
' It shocked me too! But then he went on to relate a pivotal point in his life... His maths tutor showed a personal interest in him. He asked her one day why she was being so kind to him. For he felt unlikeable, unlovable and imagined that everyone around him mutually agreed with this opinion of his. The teacher took some time to think about this. At the end of term, she gave him a card. The message in which holds a higher value to him than anything you can think of. Take a look...'
' Am I okay to read this? ' She nodded. The card read,
"In maths, before we work hard to gain an accurate measure, we make an estimation of what we think it will be. Compare the estimation to a surface. You likely agree that the surface of an object is what we can see. You may think you have a negative surface. But beneath that, I see talent! You have the potential, ability and skills to rise above that surface and be truly great!"
' He went back to thank his maths tutor. He wanted to explain to somebody that his volcanic nature was triggered by the loneliness, jealousy and injustice he felt when he saw every other child around him enjoying what he too should have had - a family! '
' It's so hard to comprehend the trauma! '
' Yes. I know...'
' What an amazing teacher! '
' Even better. When he put his trust in her, she expressed this extraordinary faith she had in him. She also highlighted how privileged he was as she did not make a habit of revealing to her best pupils the confidence she had in them. However, she felt very strongly that James needed to hear it. '
'Awe wow! '
' When he told me about all of this, I knew that our relationship was real and that it was going to last. But what embedded this belief for me, was when he added that our bond seemed to compensate for the love he couldn't receive in the childhood that he remembers. He also confided that with my love and support, he no longer had a reason to feel insecure...'
Neither of us could hold back the tears!....
January 27th 1989... Dear Diary, It's Emily and James' big day!!
There's a buzz in the air and a spring in our steps as Emily and James embark on their new and biggest journey together.
At ten a.m. the assembly were sitting, waiting, whispering. James stood nervously, shuffling his feet. When I caught his glance, I winked at him and gestured for him to deeply inhale and slowly release. He coughed, gave it a try and the wedding march commenced.
Every head whipped round. The doors opened. Then there it was, the most enchanting vision! Chris, proud as punch, accompanied his little girl to the alter. It was as though his adrenaline kept Emily on balance. She was trembling but somehow managed to keep herself together through the vows.
Chris and I relived our memory. Our hands were fused together during the entire ceremony...
The reception took place in a local community centre. Everyone ate before the fun started. We had a buffet and everybody contributed. You name it and you can be certain it was there! The wedding cake was spectacular! One of the guests made it. It had different coloured layers in, so each slice was a rainbow! To add to the novelty of this marvel, they filled the middle of the cake with smarties. They all spilled put when the cake was cut. It was an avalanche of colour! The icing was white with silver, gold and red eatable decorations...
Prior to this special occasion, we asked Emily and James if our lifelong friends could host the evening. To which they agreed...
At approximately seven thirty, Emily and James took to the floor for their first dance. Emily was particularly looking forward to this as they had been taking lessons. They desired for it to be a special dance. Indeed it was! They performed a waltz to one of my favourite tunes - Moon River. The fluidity of their dance reminded me of a ballet. Remarkably graceful! I loved it!...
After a few dances, the best man called all to attention. The host then asked, ' Shall we interview some of our couples? '
' Yes! ' We all cheered.
' There is that one important question that we simply cannot resist asking when getting to know a couple, isn't there? And that question is, " How did you two meet? " And who better to start with than the parents of the bride? '
Chris and I told our story the way we related it to Emily several years ago, on that frosty night, in front of the fire place. Then Chris told me that he had a confession to make! In front of everybody, if you don't mind!...
' The friend you were waiting for in café was my best friend's girlfriend. I met up with them earlier that day and we happened to get talking about our school days. Your friend then told me that she was due to meet you later. So, I asked her to show me where you were. When she spotted you, she pointed you out to me and they left. '
' Do you mean...? ' I couldn't finish the question. My jaw hit the floor and everybody's sides were splitting. Once again, I was lost for words! ...
We listened to a few more fascinating experiences. It was so lovely! They didn't get away with it. Emily and James had the final turn!...
It transpires that Emily was sitting in a park watching the swans and ducks glide by...
' I was drifting off into the land of day dreams when a voice pulled me back to reality...'
' The swans are beautiful aren't they? '
' Yes. No other bird could match their grace. '
' Is this your favourite place to come? '
' I don't really have a favourite place. I was just walking through the park and thought that it would make a nice change to sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. '
' We don't always take time to appreciate nature...with such busy lives...'
' Before we parted, it didn't occur to me to obtain a contact from James. I went back at the same time each week for a couple of months, but I didn't see him again. A few months later, we met on the beach! I was skimming stones, aiming to make them leap over the mini waves. James approached me and... '
' And I said, 'excuse me, you look familiar.' '
' You do too! '
' I feel like we've met before. ' The penny dropped.
' James? Is that you?... It is you! ' She gave him a hug...
I must say Diary, they re-enacted it well.
' He must have thought I was desperate, but I had not stopped thinking about him since we met in the park. I told him how glad I was to see him again and this time, we did exchange contacts! '
' And the rest is history, as they say! '
' We told each other about our ambitions and have both successfully attained our goals. '
' Emily works for the local newspaper. '
' James is a maths tutor. '
' Marriage was the next clear step for us both. '
' And so here we are, Mr and Mrs Harrison! ' Emily grabbed James' hand and lifted it in the air. Everybody sighed...
The night ended with music, cheer and gifts. It truly has been for them, a perfect day....
Chris and I arrived home with a happy exhaustion and our daughter and son-in-law went on their honeymoon. This is the happiest we've ever felt for Emily. Her future is going to be epic!
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