GOING TO SINT MAARTEN AND WE'RE GONNA GET MARRIED!

Well we did it and it was amazing! On December 9th, after an amazing vacation, we got married. We checked back into our hotel in the morning and of course, our rooms were not ready. Kacy, Eddie, Wilson and I all decided to go and hang by the pool. Wilson had a nap, Kacy and I read a book and Eddie did Sudoku. At around 10:30 am, I looked up from my book and saw my future husband sleeping, Kacy was also taking a nap and Eddie was still doing his Sudoku and all of a sudden I realized that in 5 1/2 hours, I was going to be married. At 11:30 am we went and had some lunch - and got yelled at by a waitress. Sint Maarten is great for many, many things but wait service is NOT one of them. Kacy and I went and got a mani and pedi and just enjoyed the time together in a peaceful and quiet environment. If ever anyone needs a world class maid of honour, my beautiful friend Kacy is it!

I got back to our room and saw my handsome husband-to-be! Wilson got himself ready and was hanging out playing with the iPod while started to get myself ready. Kacy came to the room and quickly kicked Wilson out of the room. Kacy gave me the best bride-to-be experience a girl could ask for ever. We tried on jewellery, she advised on hair styles and was just the best friend a girl could ask for. At 3:45 p.m., we cracked a bottle of champagne and drank until we got the call from our wedding planner that the officiant was here (she was 20 minutes late). We came downstairs and got in a golf cart and went to the beach. A funny note - I stressed so much about my shoes for the wedding and we got married barefoot!

We pulled up to the beach, kick off our shoes and walk down to the beach. I cannot wait to get to Wilson and almost run Kacy down to get to him. He looked so handsome and all I wanted to do was hold his hand and say the words that would bind us together forever.






Our officiant started to speak and so much emotion began to well up inside of me. I was holding Wilson's hand and could barely breathe. I have never felt so much love for him ever in our relationship. Of course, I started to cry and I looked up at Wilson and his eyes were wet also. Hearing Wilson say the words that made him my husband, I could barely breathe and I never wanted to look away from his beautiful face.

After saying the words, we were married and I realized at that moment, we were bound together forever. Whatever happens to us in the future, we would always have this moment together. Wilson, being the sweet man that he is, went and made sure that there was champagne on ice for us to share once we were married. We signed the register and 'pop' went the champagne corks. We had our pictures taken on the beach just before and during sunset and I have never felt more beautiful or that Wilson looked more handsome!






We shared a wonderful dinner with Kacy and Ed and as I look back on the day, I can't imagine us doing it any other way. We were so relaxed that we were able to be in the moment when we got married. We were able to laugh and enjoy each moment of the experience and that was why we ran away to get married. Our friends - Andre and Diane - from our cruise came and joined us that day which made the day so special for us. We had congratulations and best wishes from so many strangers and it added so much to the whole event for us. We could have done without Jabba the Hut watching us get married in a blue Speedo, but that is just part of the deal when you get married on a beach.

Not everyone would choose this as their option to get married but I am so glad that we did! We got to be together, say our vows our way in the catherdral of sun and sand and be married without fanfare. It was for us, perfection.






There is more to come on the vacation - which is the best vacation we have ever had together!






Must go wake up Wilson and walk Maggie! Happy New Year internet!





2006 kisses to all!





DiDi

A YEAR IN REVIEW

This was shared with me by a dear friend and I thought since 2006 was a year of change for me, that I complete this quiz.

1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before? Got married
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I usually don't make them, but since last year was a year of such change for me personally, that I decided my only resolution was to be true to myself.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Tiffany gave birth to Jonah and Krista gave birth to Pierce.
4. Did anyone close to you die? No - thank goodness
5. What places did you visit? Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal, St. Maarten, Anguilla, St. Barths, Tintamarre, Sandy Island, Grand Case
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? Financial security
7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? December 9, 2006 - my wedding day
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Becoming stronger about who I am and what I want. Also, realizing that I really wanted to be with Wilson and moving back in with him and then getting married to him
9. What was your biggest failure? No failures, only events to learn from
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing major - am a total klutz so am always bruised
11. What was the best thing you bought? Steve's wedding ring; my wedding dress
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Pulling my head out of the sand and dealing with my tax mess.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? no one comes to mind
14. Where did most of your money go? The government
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Getting married
16. What song will always remind you of 2006? Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? A c) richer or poorer? Happier - Wilson and I are married and making a life together; b) weight is about the same unfortunately c) poorer - but working on that
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? reading
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? worry
20. How did you spend Christmas last year? with my family
21. Did you fall in love in 2006? No, was already in love but reaffirmed my love for Wilson
22. How many one-night stands? nope
23. What was your favorite TV program? The OC
24. What did you do for your birthday in 2006? Had a kick ass party. Wilson made turning 40 so much fun!
25. What was the best book you read? Kite Runner
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Scissor Sisters
27. What did you want and get? To marry Wilson
28. What did you want and not get? nothing that is important
29. What was your favorite film of this year? The Devil Wears Prada
30. Did you make some new friends this year? If so, who? yes - Roger & Lynne and Diane and Andre from our cruise, Krista from work
31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? this year, nothing
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? Casual and classic with some funk thrown in for good measure
33. What kept you sane? walking Maggie and red wine
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? George Clooney - good looks and brains all in one package
35. What political issue stirred you the most? The war in Iraq and the troops in Afghanistan
36. Who did you miss? Kacy
37. Who was the best new person you met? can't think of one person right now
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006. be true to myself and also that I need to stop being afraid of past mistakes. There is rarely anything that you can't fix by facing up to your fear.

Kisses to all!
DiDi

DIDI WENT AND GOT HERSELF HITCHED

Well at long last it happened - we are officially hitched! December 9th at 4:30 p.m. with sand between our toes and surf around our ankles we said our vows in a remarkably personal ceremony (especially since we NEVER met the officiant before). I didn't think that it was possible to love Wilson more than I already do but somehow I do.

It was a great 10 days and there is so much to say and so many pictures to share. I am trying to add in a Flickr link so share wedding pictures and honeymoon shots. Needless to say, this will take a while since Christmas is looming and time is running out.

If I don't get a chance to update until after Christmas - the merriest of Christmases to you all and to all a good night!

Christmas Kisses!
DiDi