16. And then I talked about our wedding.

I’ve been on a night out. Get me, socialising!

A group of people that I know on different levels, some are friends, some are good friends. A couple of newbies into the mix too. All of which made for a very fun and pleasant evening.

There was a big conversation about domestic violence. (No time for twittering smalltalk in Brixton!) It lead on to discussions on society’s expectations of women; whether marriage is still the standard for a relationship; and finally onto the event and traditions of a wedding itself.

Why is it that men still do all the speeches at a wedding? One of the men in the group said he regretted not managing the situation at his own wedding so that at least one woman gave a speech. We raged about wedding excesses, destination weddings, weekend, even week long, Hen and Stag doos, unreasonable costs and general over-the-top nature of many of todays nuptials.

And then I talked about our wedding. I was, and still am, proud and happy and touched by our wedding day. For a start we managed to pick the only sunny day in June that year – and thankfully so as we had our reception in our garden with very little option for a plan B. There were no fanfares, formalities or fineries, but a gathering of loved and cherished friends and family. My dearest and most precious girlfriend gave a speech – not because she was asked, but because she wanted to – and was very much the best woman for the job. The cake was a mountain of fairy cakes made for us by several baking enthusiasts among the guests, and placed on a large four teared cake stand I made a couple of days earlier. Our wedding car was our friend’s camper van. And the only dress requirement was that everyone wore a hat. Jeans and a t-shirt if they felt like it, but topped with a proper hat.

It was a joyful, warm and lovely day. Tears were shed, much laughter was heard and to be surrounded by those we cared about the most was very very special.

I shall always be proud of it. We haven’t lasted for ever. If I’m truthful some cracks were around even then. But it doesn’t mean it wasn’t a special day. Done the way we wanted it. Not for show, or to impress, but to have a rather splendid wedding, that people enjoyed, admired for it’s gentleness and calm.

If we can end half as well I will be proud of us all the more.