On this day of days, my heart is full…
A few days ago I shared the most beautiful day, as my gorgeous Goddaughter Jasmine, married the love of her life – Sam.
It was emotional…
I’ve known her mother – Pinda, since we were tiny… We grew up, yards apart, coming from very different backgrounds, yet lived and played together on the same street.
So, time went on and we grew up…
And even though we both left that street, years later I was a bridesmaid at Pinda’s wedding to her man, Mark…
When I saw Mark and Pinda together back then, I knew, even before they told me, that they would marry. After more than 30 years, they are still together…
And then they had 3 babies, James, Jasmine and Tristan…
Whilst I waited for her second child – Jasmine, to be born, I sewed a patchwork quilt to keep the baby warm and safe. It was crafted out of scraps of favourite old clothes and newly discovered swatches of fabric in blue, red and white, all stitched together into a new entity.
Jasmine came into this world early and tiny, and over the years I’ve watched her grow into herself, becoming such a wise, warm and creative woman. Jasmine is also caring, funny, adored and so much more…
Years back, on the evening of her Prom, I waved her off, and cried at how beautiful and grown-up she looked… So I stood NO chance on her wedding day – the tears flowed freely the minute I saw her, leaning on the arm of her proud father, as he escorted her down the aisle.
She met her man Sam at the Altar. He’s a family man and works as a Gardener, tending beautiful, historical properties. It’s always been easy to see and feel how much he loves Jasmine. And just as with their parents, I knew, long before they told the world, that they would marry…
The ceremony and celebration was so them – all them. It was emotional, informal and so, so loving. It was full of laughter and many happy tears.

The celebrant, a friend of Sam’s grandparents, came out of retirement specially, to officiate.

The beautiful flowers the bride carried and which decorated the venue, were created by Sam’s mother – a Florist by trade.
During the ceremony I was called on to give a reading, and so the tears dried for a few minutes as I spoke, standing next to this darling girl and her husband to be, at the altar.
And then they were married and it was time to celebrate…
The sun shone…
Family / friends mingled and chattered…
We posed for photos…
Raised toasts…
Ate delicious food…
Cried and cheered at speeches…
Sampled slices of the 3 yummy wedding cakes made and decorated by the bride’s mother…
Talked and hugged…
Danced and laughed…
Shared old memories and made new ones, too…
There were people there I see all the time, as well as those I had known for so long, but hadn’t seen in years…
And I met many people new to me.
We were all part of an extended tribe – family, old friends and new, all who are, in some sense family, including my own man (also named) Mark and my (other, equally) lifelong friend Sue, all come together in celebration.
So it was that we were all stitched together, just like the patchwork quilt I made for Jasmine, all those years ago – now created in new colours and patterns, joined together as a new entity, all around the newly married Mr and Mrs Gillett-O’Hagan.
Together we were the many shades of love and joy, created from their union.
Along with my love and warmest wishes, I’ll share the reading they choose and I gave at the ceremony:

Hand in Hand
No partnership can be as close
As that which two who care
Will form the day they wow to love
To honour and to share.

From that day on, their hearts will find
As one year meets another
All trials and problems, cares and woes.
Each bout of stormy weather,
Are visited not just on one
But two who stand together.

And happily, life’s nicest things
Bestowed in ample measure
Will hold a double share of joy,
Find memories and pleasure.

As time goes by, new bonds will grow,
New dreams will all come true,
And looking back, this happy pair
Will see that, each year through,
Their love has brought reality
To all they’ve hoped and planned
For nothing is impossible
When love goes ‘hand in hand’.

~ Author Unknown.