…And so it began…
I had just started Sixth Form and was enjoying having a bit more freedom with my friends now we were all super grown up. We had become friendly with a group of boys a few years older, and after a few awkward meetings where he came to watch me sing at an open mic night, and helped me get into the local night club as I was under age (!), Mike and I finally went on a date, a double date, but a date none the less. The other couple were his best friend M (said friend was to go onto to be best man) and my best friend at the time, H. They had been flirting for months, and we were pleased to finally see them get together. The next couple of weeks were made up of endless texting and walks along the seafront, until he very sweetly asked me if I would be his girlfriend. I of course said yes, and that was the start of us. Unfortunately, shortly after was the end of M and H, but they soon got over it!
The proposal…
After 6 years, 2 house moves and 4 new jobs between us, we had grown into a very strong couple. For a little while I had wondered if Mike might propose, but was determined not to be disappointed. I had imagined where he might do it. At the end of the seafront in our town, you can walk up to the top of the cliff and it is the most amazing view. We used to walk up there a lot, so it was sort of ‘our spot’. Time after time we would go for a walk up there, and it never happened, so I eventually put it out of my mind. On the 1st Dec 2012, We had spent the morning together, and as we got home Mike got a phone call to go and help his friend with his PC (Mike is an IT Tech). He was out for a couple of hours, in the meantime I was arranging going to our friends (the same friend) for dinner. She had asked me to pick up a bottle of wine (my top priority for the evening!)Mike came back and suggested going for a drink before going for dinner. We sat in the pub on the seafront and had a glass of wine in the warm, and then Mike suggested going for a walk to our spot. At this point it was starting to rain (although Mike was insisting it was snow!) so I really didn’t fancy it, plus I had to go and pick up this precious bottle of wine!! After reminding me that I had my new expensive coat on, so I had no excuse, I was persuaded. We marched along the seafront and up the scary steps to our spot. It had stopped raining so the view was perfect. Each of the street lights lit up the town beautifully, and the moon was so bright across the sea. After a couple of minutes, I turned to Mike and he was down on one knee. He said some lovely things as he presented me the most beautiful diamond ring, and asked me to marry him. I was totally overwhelmed and after saying yes, I burst out laughing at the irony of the ONE time he had planned to propose, I was trying everything to wiggle out of having to go for a walk!! We spent a little more time there before I said we better get a move on otherwise we would be late for dinner (and getting the wine!!) but it turns out Mike had been at his friend’s house that afternoon, not to fix their PC, but to collect the ring as he had been hiding it there. I phoned my sister on the walk back and she was very excited. On our way to my parent’s house I suddenly wondered if Mike had asked my Dad. It turns out he had been there the previous night while I was at a work Christmas do, and asked both Mum and Dad. They were thrilled when we turned up as Mike had not told them when he was going to do it, so they didn’t expect it to be the next day. We walked in and I announced I had something to tell them, and after mum’s initial reaction of excitement that I was showing her my new coat, I told them the actual news, and they we very happy. Dad had been and bought a bottle of bubbly that day in anticipation, so that was a real treat. After going to see his parents who had no idea at all, and were equally as happy, we made our way to our friends for dinner. As soon as we arrived I realised I had forgotten the wine!! Never fear, his lovely girlfriend had prepared a gorgeous meal and had stocked up on bubbly. It was a lovely way to celebrate our engagement.
Thursday afternoon was spent tidying the house and packing the car with everything we needed for the venue. I also needed to pack my overnight bag for Friday night, as we were staying at a house kindly donated by one of my company’s clients. It was on Thursday afternoon it hit me that it was my last night with Mike before we were married, so I sat on the stairs and had a little cry. Mike had a good laugh at me. Our rehearsal was at 7pm (around the same time that our second best man A and one of my bridesmaids J would be getting on the train from London). My Dad met us at the church, along with my 2 friends doing a reading, the other best man, and Mike’s parents, sister and her family. Mike’s best man M whispered to me as we started that he was on call (he is a retained fireman) so was very sorry if he had to run. Luckily, there were no emergencies, and the rehearsal went very smoothly. I felt much less nervous about the ceremony after that. After the rehearsal we went home along with my 2 friends who helped me put fake tan on. Pampering complete!!
On Friday morning we woke up at 7am with a long list of things to get done. First stop was popping into my office to collect the keys for the house we were staying at. Predictably, the tradesmen working there had not put them back. Cue me frantically trying to call them to find out where they were. We ended up driving around town to pick them up, so already running a bit late, we were on our way. We popped into the house to drop off all of our stuff and hang dresses up. Job 1 done. We collected best man A on our way and then bridesmaid J, and then headed over to the venue with the car full to the brim.
The Wedding Day…
I woke up at 7am to my friend I was sharing a bed with jumping up and down! We got up and jumped on the other 2 girls so everyone was awake. I went downstairs to get breakfast bits out, while one of the girls went to Costa to get us all a proper coffee.
We were sitting in the lounge by 8am with a bagel and a coffee, and I felt totally calm. The hair/make-up lady wasn’t arriving until 9:30am, so we just sat and chatted! When ladies arrived, it all kicked in a little bit then. The TOG arrived at the same time (the hairdresser’s husband and good friend). As I sat having my hair and make-up done, I started to feel more and more nervous. My mum arrived, followed by my sister, and Mike’s sister and niece. The florist was supposed to arrive at 11am, which came and went. At 11:30am, the hairdresser sensing my anxiety took my phone and called her. As she did so she walked straight through the gate, which was a huge relief.
I phoned best man M and asked him to pop down to collect the button holes and then went to see my bouquet. It was so beautiful. I hadn’t been specific at all in what I wanted as I totally trusted her, and I am so glad. Best man M then arranged with TOG to meet them in 45 mins on the beach for some photos, and disappeared off to get dressed. The rest of the morning continued in a bit of a blur, and I was starting to feel more nervous at time went on. Normally, Mike and I do everything together, so to be preparing for this huge thing without him by my side was a bit scary. Eventually, everyone was ready to put their dresses on, so we spent the next 20 mins zipped each other in and tying ribbons into bows. My dad arrived shortly after, which put me at ease straight away. We had a few pictures outside the house, and then it was time to walk to the church.
I had imagined walking to the church with my dad and my girls for a very long time, and it was just as special as I had envisaged. People stopped to wish us well which was so lovely. My sister ran around the corner, and popped back to tell us there were quite a few people outside the church. I asked her to find an usher to get everyone in the church, but she explained that they were not guests, just people wanting to see us go in! As we walked around the corner we were greeted with a crowd of locals, some we knew, others we didn’t. At that moment all of my nerves vanished and I was just so excited to see my boy. The vicar came outside to meet us and have a quick chat. He said Mike was very calm. Then we heard our entrance song come on. The bridesmaids were lined up in front of me and Dad, with my sister right in front. Just as they were setting off, my sister looked backed at me and burst into tears. I was so determined not to cry at this point, but was starting to feel very emotional. As Dad and I walked down the aisle, I could finally see Mike. He was looking back and smiling at me, and I just grinned back. I practically ran to him and took his hand. From then on we were totally in our own bubble. My friend’s had written a reading for us which we had never heard. It was so beautiful. It really dawned on me at that moment how special it was to have all of the people that know us so very well, with us. I kept trying to catch their eyes to smile, but neither of them would look at us for fear of crying. The vicar had previously asked us to answer some Mr and Mrs type questions, and read such a lovely personalised sermon for us. He has everyone laughing and crying throughout. The ceremony flew by and before we knew it we were walking out to The Lumineers – Ho Hey, with everyone singing along.
After a few family photos, lots of hugs and the throwing of the confetti, Mike and I snuck off in the car he had organised to go for some photos in the spot we got engaged. It was lovely to have some time together on our own to take it all in.
