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With this ring...

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When Michael and I decided, early in 2006, that we wanted to "tie the knot", we chose July 20 as the date for the ceremony – a logical decision as this is the date we’ve always marked as our anniversary anyway. Months later, when the day itself arrived, the UK was at the peak of some of the hottest weather since records began. The almost unbearable humidity made getting suited and booted in preparation for the ceremony particularly unpleasant; and, to cap it all, I’d been badly bitten on both ankles by an unidentified insect earlier in the week and my feet were painfully swollen.

Then we arrived at the register office to be greeted by the handful of close friends we’d invited to share the day with us... and suddenly my cares and woes were brushed aside and it became the perfect day we’d always planned it to be.

Michael and Phil After the introduction by the registrar, our friend Steve read these lines from a Native American ceremony:

Now you will feel no rain,
For each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
For each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness,
For each of you will be companion to the other.

Now you are two persons,
But there is only one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place,
To enter into the days of your togetherness.
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

May the sun bring you new energy by day,
May the moon softly restore you by night,
May the rain wash away your fears
And the breeze invigorate your being,

And all the days of your life may you walk
Gently through the world and know its beauty.

The rings Michael and I then made our promises to each other. The words we had chosen were these:

I pledge to you my love and trust. I promise to be ever honest and faithful to you and share all that I am with you. You are my best friend and I will always be beside you.

After the promises, we exchanged rings.

Signing the register Then it was time to sign the partnership register, along with our chosen witnesses, Ruth and Kenny. This is the legally binding part of the proceedings. Once this was over, we moved out into the gardens for champagne and photographs, before returning home for an evening of food, wine and friendship.

Champagne A much needed glass of bubbly!

With our friends A group shot with our friends. Left to right: John, Michael, Wendy, Steve, me, John, Michael, Kenny, Ruth, Richard, Treena and Andy.


This page last updated: 24 August 2009   Home | Performing | Travelling | Quizzing | Living  
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