Monday, November 23, 2009

November 23rd 1979

We deliberately made it a low key affair. My parents drove over from Lancashire and my sister arrived from the States. One of my sons and his girl friend came and one of MTL’s children with her husband; it took some of them a little longer to come to terms with our getting married. It was chilly but bright and as we left the house I nearly lost my nerve - all the stress of the last few months caught up with me and someone took a photo of the bride to be - head down, being coaxed along the path by MTL and my mother.


We drove to the Registry office in Macclesfield and parking was a problem; every time we found a space to back into Dad drove up close behind so we couldn’t reverse. I wasn’t keen on the idea of being married in a Registry Office and when I saw we were to be married by a woman – in a trouser suit my discomfiture was complete.


When we were all assembled in the room I looked at MRL’s white strained face and pulled myself together. I looked at the ones I loved and began to relax and holding tightly onto MTL’s hand gave myself permission to stop worrying about everybody else and concentrate on the two of us – at last – being together as man and wife.


Once the ceremony was over everybody relaxed and there were lots of hugs and a few tears. MTL had persuaded me it would be a good idea to have lunch at home (he’s made up for it since) but everybody helped and by mid afternoon we left them to it and escaped to our favourite Lake District for a few days. We decided however short or long our time together we weren’t going to waste any of it. And I don’t think we have.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

I take it that this post is an extract from your forthcoming book?

I didn't notice the date until I was half way through reading it, thinking 'this is very strange'. I thought it was in the present, silly old git that I am.

I'm looking forward to meeting you at the book-signing in W H Smith's !

Pat said...

Keith: at the moment I end the book earlier - when MTL and I are re- united, so this is exclusive to my loyal blog followers.
I look forward to it also Keith and hope we survive that long:)

Kim Ayres said...

Happy Anniversary Pat & MTL :)

DILLIGAF said...

left me with a warm glow did this...

...ang on...me ciggies set the newspaper on fire...;-)

Happy Anni babe x

lom said...

Oh Pat I cried when I read this, tears of joy that is, I always cry at weddings

Gia Fernandes said...

Happy Anniversary Pat. Wish you and your husband many many more years of love and happiness. Really looking forward to reading your story in book form!

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Pat, you know how much romance means to me, I'm always telling you. Yours and YTL is one of my favourite love stories.

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary to you and YTL. Better late, than never, as they say.

Cheers.

rashbre said...

Happy Anniversary. Spotted the dates straight away!

Kim Ayres said...

*cough*... Just don't tell Maggie

Kevin Musgrove said...

It would be indelicate of me to ask how he made up for the lunch. (-:

Happy anniversary!

Pat said...

Kim: deal:)

Kevin: well yes but what i meant was not taking us out for our wedding breakfast may have seemed tight-waddish but in 30 years he has taken me and all the family out for endless treats and meals - as you can see from the blog. He may be Scottish but he is the most generous of men.

Mage said...

You leave me smiling at this happy entry. Happy anniversary.

sablonneuse said...

Oh what a lovely post. Sorry I'm a day late to wish you Happy Aniversary but I'm sure the day was really special and here's wishing you many more years of happiness together.

savannah said...

happy anniversary, sugar! peace, joy and love be yours now and always.
xoxoxo from across the pond!

Anonymous said...

happy anniversary - and I'd love to see that pic of you being pushed/pulled down the front path!!

lucky you to have had so long together - only approaching 16 years with LOML!!

and what d'you mean abouaat him being Scottish - generous to a fault, we are! Even my family from Aberdeenshire!!

Pat said...

Maggie: smiling's good:)

Sasndy: it was a lovely day - apart from the weather and our real celebration is tomorrow - although champagne was quaffed:)

Savannah: thank you. who could ask for anything more?

Belleek: the deal is: he supports me in my blog as long as he retains anonymity - so no photo - sorry.
Sorry again - how could I have made such a boo boo about the Scots - everybody knows they are the most generous people on earth - with the odd exception:)

Kanani said...

Ah, well it seems that having the wedding you would have least expected to --the woman officiant, the registry office, was the right thing!

Pat said...

Kanani: you know I think you are right.

Leah said...

Very beautiful, and happy anniversary to you both!

xo

Charlie said...

What a wonderful last two sentences: they say it all about you and YTL.

Happy Anniversary, and a bunch more of them.

Pat said...

Leah: thank you.xox

Charlie: much appreciated - and the wishes.

kenju said...

I hope you had the perfect anniversary!

Pat said...

Judy: thank you:)

angryparsnip said...

What a lovely, sad, sweet story... and I too love your last two sentences.
Happy Anniversary.

cheers, parsnip

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Oh Pat, dear...How Sweet this is! And I don't think you wasted any of your time together either! And every day that you have had together and continue to have is such a gift, isn't it? HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, my dear friend...And many many many MANY More!

Pat said...

Parsnip: thank you:)

Naomi: you are right - it is a gift -much appreciated.

Z said...

There's something about 30 years that feels like a real achievement. I didn't know that until we got there ourselves, but since, and I can't explain it because there was nothing amiss before, things have got better and better.

I hope for many more years of true love and happiness for you and "Jamie", dearest Pat.

Pat said...

Z: thank you for your sweet comment which has only just come through. Two others were also days late. Very odd.