22nd Anniversary!

22 years ago today, myself and Darrell started on our journey through life together and oh boy what a life it has been. I have talked about how we met many times before, so today wanted to talk about our Wedding, which took place this time two years ago. 

As Weddings go, it was as unconventional as it could be; the signs were there, especially after asking Darrell to marry me on  facebook, in January of the same year. I had arranged with the Registry Office for the ceremony to take place, on our 20th Anniversary together, getting married in front of forty of our closest and dearest friends at the Golden Jubilee Room in Southampton.

A friend, Natalee Michelle escorted me up the aisle, in the absence of a member of my family doing the honours. Natalee had been there for me at a difficult time in my life; she was the ideal candidate for the job. Darrell and I are lucky enough to have Natalee living in Spain with us today; we certainly are not going to get rid of that girl easily.

My best man Jay, had also been there during a punishing period, whilst working for Oxfam. Jay was employed by the same charity, living with us and coping with the tribulations myself and Darrell were going through; something I will always be truly grateful for. Not only did Jay support me throughout the Wedding, but he also stayed up the night before, helping make a Wedding cake, after the original baker pulled out last minute! He was a rock before and during our big day! Although we are no longer in contact, he is well aware of what I think of him; I'll stop before I get a little too emotional! 

The Wedding went without a hitch; breaking down during the ceremony was a small hiccup, in an otherwise perfect day. It had been a long road, acquiring legal recognition; 20 years of battling and fighting, no least during the last year and the terrible circumstances behind our future departure from Britain. Everything came to pass, thanks to the hard work of all those involved; so many memories came flooding back; emotions played a large part for many who attended; it marked the end of adversity and the beginning of our new life together.

With rings exchanged, vows expressed and the register signed we were married. Finally after copious amounts of photographs outside, the throwing of the bouquet, caught by Aunty Danae and good wishes from friends and family, we all departed to the London Hotel, where Darrell and myself had arranged a buffet for our guests. We had very little money at the time and surprisingly arranged the whole day for just over three thousand pounds, a bargain by today's standards and a sign of things to come as we moved to Spain.

The London Hotel, 'Southamptons premier gay venue' put on a lovely spread, enjoyed by all of us there; it was a fantastic day to remember for all our guests and of course the beginning of the end for our life in the UK. I would like to thank everyone for making that day so special and being with us. We have taken those memories with us and will remember you all on this day each year.

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'Remember, when our time on Earth is done, when we experience our final moments, as we gently close our eyes and the light slowly fades to dark, we won't remember the bad times.

Whether surrounded by family and friends, or alone with our final thoughts, the  outcome is the same for all of us.  Our eyes will close, the darkness will descend and suddenly a lifetime of memories, laughter, faces and joy will flow back like the river of blood that pulsed through our veins!

Don't dwell on the worst that life has thrown your way.  On this, your final day, it doesn't matter any more, it never did.  Just remember the love you had, the person you held close, the warmth they gave and the memories, you both made together!

Darren Vranjes 9 October 2015

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