“Christmas Eve a night of song
that wrapped itself about you like a shawl.
But it warms more than your body.
It warms your heart…fills it too,
with melody that will last forever.”

Christmas Eve is a magical day, full of excitement, a day like no other. It’s probably my favourite day of the year. For a child it’s full of excitement, hope and eagerness, as an adult it’s full of love and promise.
So when our friend James, the local priest, suggested Christmas Eve as the date to retake our vows, we knew instantly that the 24th December 2020 was the perfect date.

With the church booked for the most magical evening of the year, all that was left to do was to make the rest of the evening as special as the date.
We really didn’t have any idea what we wanted, apart from one thing and that was for our talented sister to write us a poem, for the service.
Rache being the wonderful, kind person she is, agreed and boy didn’t she do a grand job. 
Rache kept it a surprise and as our Mum (Mark’s Mum Janet) read it aloud, it brought tears to many including myself.
The poem couldn’t have been more perfect and we will be eternally grateful for her gift of Words wrapped in love.

❄️❄️❄️

Well, we have made it! What a year this has been!
Living through the worst pandemic since nineteen eighteen!
Its anyones guess as to what twenty twentyone will bring.
Thankfully for tonight though, we don’t have to sing!!

We know a great deal of time and effort has been put into today,
So you both can re-new your vows in your own special way!
Over 21 years of marriage, and still going strong
Mark, well done! you couldn’t have done THAT much wrong!

At the beginning you both met at Romsey Rapids park
Who knows what you got up to there in the dark!!
A simple ‘will you go out with me’ and a ‘yes okay’
Bonded a special love til this very day!

Childhood sweethearts who have been together since school
The era when perms were the fashion and ‘curtains’ were cool!!
Remember the famous camping trip that caused you such strife
Who would have thought back then, you would become ‘man and wife’!

You moved into your 1st home and gave birth to your cute little lad
And to be honest Connor, you haven’t turned out tooo bad!
That same year, you walked down the aisle to say ‘I do’
Unfortunately that day, there was an issue or two!!

Firstly the page boys would have tripped up for sure
If nan didn’t take up their trousers, 10 inches or more!!
Your wedding dress needed a nip and tuck too
Not what you’d planned we would end up having to do!

‘Cowpat’ I think was the phrase used for the cake
So a few frantic phone calls we needed to make!!
A cake shop in Shirley stepped up to the mark
So you didn’t end up cutting the cake in the dark!!

That being said, your wedding day was bliss.
Sealing your vows with a big loving kiss!!
That night, Beaulieu Hotel was your chosen venue.
And we’re pretty sure it wasn’t food on the menu!!

Another bundle of joy came along to make the family complete.
Calum was born, so tiny, so sweet!
Your boys have now grown, so handsome and tall
I’m sure you will agree, both are a credit to us all!

Of course not forgetting loved ones no longer here
Your Dad especially George, who I know you hold dear.
He is looking down on you, bursting with pride.
Seeing you happy, with Mark and your boys by your side.

‘Once in a while love gives us a fairy-tale’.
A vow you both gave, never destined to fail.
To say ‘I still do’ to your soulmate and bestfriend.
Cementing your love for each other until the very end.

❄️❄️❄️

Isn’t it beautiful. Rache is extremely talented. Her poems always have us in stitches. Maybe one day she will let me share a few with you.

We didn’t want the poem to be lost over time, that would be criminal. It deserves to be honoured and remembered. To be handed down throughout time as part of our history.
But what would be the best way to do so? 
Pop back tomorrow to see what we came up with.

Before I too-da-loo, I just want to say the biggest thank you to Rache.
Rache, you have given us not only a poem, you gave us something more than words can give. You gave us a  magical memory filled with love. Thank you. We love you loads. 😘

Until tomorrow, 
Too-da-loo

🦋🦋🦋