the surprise

Okay, so maybe not a surprise to you lovely readers out there, due to me already blurting it out, but I thought I would take you through it anyway, just imagine if you will......

Three nights before the highly anticipated 'Woo's 40th birthday extravaganza', we had a smallish curry night at our house, just to stretch our tummies a bit for the curry feast that was to come as part of 'Woo's birthday extravaganza' . Eno, Scott and Ben were chatting, chatting about how on Eno's 30th (6 years ago), Woo proposed to him, and how wonderful it was but since that time nothing had really been done about the whole getting hitched thing and they progressed to having two more children and barely a sideways glance at the matrimony business. Anyway, the idea was hatched that they should get married at 'Woo's 40th birthday extravaganza', as a surprise to Woo and all her guests, and before they knew it the ball was rolling, the idea had been sparked and would quickly become reality. The next day Scott was calling up marriage celebrants and finding out details; you need one month advanced notice to be legally married, so the wedding wouldn't be official, but a commitment ceremony could happen,which would then make it all legally minding in one month, great, wonderful, lock it in. 

The next couple of days, Scott and I chatted to, a sometimes teary, Eno (filled with love, excitement and heightened emotions) and experienced the uncontainable joy and delight in the anticipation of this wonderful surprise. I whipped up a few decorations and some doily ring cushions for Ziggy and Sidney to hold, whilst Poe and Scott gathered flower petals in baskets. Ben and Victoria, some dear friends of Woo and Eno's also shared in this secret, so there were lots of chats with them, as we were all experiencing butterflies in our stomachs and the desire for the day to be amazing and the secret to be held close. 

And it was wonderful. Briefield Hall, where the party/wedding was, is amazing, an old hall surrounded by bush with a beautiful deep verandah that sweeps around it (it is the hall of my dreams), that provides shade, beauty and a great place to hang the mandatory bunting. The guests started arriving bearing their offerings of curries, picnic rugs and a variety of cold beverages. The tables were soon heaving under the weight of pots filled with deliciousness, the feast was ready. So we feasted and we marvelled at the day, the space, we chatted, and those of us who knew tried to stifle the rising nerves. 

Woo was beaming, she was surrounded by friends and family that she loved so dearly, eating food that made her happy, looking totally hot in her favourite dress and marvelling at the perfection of the day, little did she know what was in store. 

And then it was time, Eno, finished playing in his band and called up Woo's sister, a dear friend of his and Catherine Campbell, the marriage celebrant. Woo stared, she held her hand to her mouth and cried and laughed, she could not move and then finally, still crying and laughing she made her way. Needless to say everybody else were quick to tears too. 

As you can see, she was beside herself with joy, delight, utter astonishment and love, it was literally bubbling over and pouring out of her. The ceremony was wonderful, funny, simple and all about the love that these two share. Eno, did an amazing (and quite a risky) job, but all was beautifully confirmed by Woo declaring that she would not have done anything different, if she had organised it herself. 

And then they were 'married', and even though I didn't think it possible, Woo, beamed even more, Eno couldn't keep his eyes of her and there was a magic around these two. Friends and family stared, smiled and enjoyed the feeling of basking in such a glow. 

Ahh, the love.