Memories of our wedding…

Be completely humble and gentle, be patient,⁸ bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:2

It makes me shudder to write what I got done in the week before our wedding. My parents arrived the day before my graduation weekend to get ready for our wedding the following weekend. I graduated from my primary teaching diploma and then wrote three UNISA (University of South Africa) third year exams. (Education III, English literature III and Biblical studies.) My new in-laws arrived from England too…

The wedding morning arrived. Romantic Mum had a migraine. Stress played havoc with Mum. A kind friend brought a tray of food. I curled my hair with electric curlers and didn’t go to have it done with Shelly and Mum. I wanted to be the same girl I always was. I remember being very happy that the week was over.

Mum’s cousin, Veronica had organised the reception. These cousins had been in the same class through school and in the first year had to be separated by the nuns as they sat with their arms around each other chatting. It was lovely that Mum had this cousin to help with her daughter’s important day.

I remember feeling totally at ease that morning knowing that Roy would be waiting at the front of the church, someone who had proved to be a good friend. He had asked me to marry him in the Helderberg Nature Reserve looking out towards Gordon’s Bay. I was confident in my answer:

“Yes”.

My dress was easy to bring out from the pillowcase. Not a single crinkle, soft and simple. I got dressed with Mum and Shelly in Veronica’s home. The service and reception included people we loved and knew. It went by in whirl of sunshine, confetti, laughter, speeches and food.

Roy and I then went to the Van Reebeck Hotel in Gordon’s Bay right on the beach. It was a perfect place, we were in love but I was very tired. The week had been full, too full and I do remember it was wonderful to come back to the hotel a few years later as an experienced couple and not exhausted. The hotel no longer exists. It was demolished.

A happy marriage is a long conversation.

Andre Maurois (1885 – 1967 French author)

… true love is never blind but brings an added light.

Phoebe Cary (American Poet 1824-1871)

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.

Mignon McLaughlin (American journalist and author 1913- 1983)

Thank you for reading this memory of 44 years ago. I hope to stay kind and patient as an individual everyday .

Sandy 🤔