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