first dance

I've just returned from a fab wedding - Dan & Sarah Marshall are now husband and wife...ahhhh. It was cool to be a part of it all. To see Sarah and her "maids" get ready. To watch Dan welcome guests as they arrived at the church. To see Dan's beautiful mum and nan with Dan - three generations!! It was just lovely to watch our gorgeous Indy walk up the aisle with Lauren, both in their great dresses (Indy's made by me!!!)

I love to hear the vows being made, to see a couple exchange rings and then....the kiss!!! But, none of it stirs my emotions like the first dance. I always watch and cry. It was the only part of my own wedding day that I cried at. After the first dance, I love to dance with Dave, my husband. I love to put my left hand on his shoulder and my right hand in his. I love the way his shirt smells. I love to put my head on his chest. I love to kiss him as we randomly turn round and round in circles like we're at a school disco!!

On our wedding day, we danced to the Moulin Rouge version of Elton John's "Your Song". I remember that it started too loud and had to be re-started as the CD seemed to jump. But when the song finally began and played, we stared at each other, chatted and kissed. I can't remember what we talked about, but I remember thinking that finally we were married. That never again would I be alone. Never would we be separated and that he would always be my dancing partner.

On the 13th August this year, it will be exactly one year since the death of my friend's husband. At his funeral, his coffin was brought in to the same song to which she walked in at their wedding only a few years before. I know that she misses the smell of his shirt. She longs to rest her head on his chest and to place her hand in his. She remembers how it feels to be held by him and she thinks about it all the time. Every day, she remembers him, their wedding, their first dance, their embraces.

When he died, she told Dave to hold me and never let me go. I will never forget this. Let's never take each other for granted. If you are reading this, tell those you love, that you love them. It's worth it, even if you feel vunerable and silly. Please just tell them. xxx

my tattoo

Okay, so yesterday I had a tattoo - my first!! It HURT!!! But I am now very pleased with it - it is along the side of my left foot and in black funky writing it says "fearfully and wonderfully made" followed by a little daisy.
Why would I put that on my body permanently? Well, I believe it! I know that I was created by God and that he put a lot of thought into my design and took time to make me. He made no mistakes...he wanted me to look the way I do...he chose green for my eye colour...5'3" for my height...size 4 for my feet...pale skin...dark reddy-browny hair....wonky teeth...jelly baby-shaped toes....skinny ankles...big bott!!! And yet I see fit to criticise God's workmanship. Who am I to do that? Who am I to treat it badly? Was I wrong to over-eat or starve myself? Was I wrong to have my ears pierced? Or my nose? Should I stay up late? Was a tattoo the wrong thing?
I don't know...but I do know that I want to honour my Jesus with my body. I want it to be a testimony to the greatness of my God and to his mercy and forgiveness. AND...I want to love God's creativity as much as I induldge my own...feeling the need to sew - a rag quilt, I think.
I quite like this blogging thing...cool.
Sal
xxx