One Month Later
February 10, 2008
On the 10th of January I signed my life, as I used to know it, away for the hope of having a fuller one with the man of my dreams.
Yes, I did all of this despite meeting his dad.
Of course eD and I didn’t do things the “normal” way, conforming has never been our thing . . .
We decided to get married in Hawaii for various reasons (which changes depending on the person asking). It was just to be the two of us. I had no idea where we were going to get married or where we were staying after. eD organised it all, what a man.
On this note, he also came all the way to Purdue University in Indiana (where I was on exchange for the fall semester) to help me pack everything I had gathered over the last 6 months. Sure, in his mind that wasn’t the real reason he was there, but even so the end result was still the same.
The day we got married was perfect. The weather was amazing, the sea was beautiful, butterflies were flying, the wind was softly blowing and whales were playing in the bay that the cliff we got married on overlooked.
It was quite ridiculous, if you ask me. eD and I looked groomed and happy. The ceremony was well conducted and nature was included in our vows, it was truly a magnificent location.
After the ceremony Frederick (the celebrant) gave as an awkwardly long hug and thanked us for adding “the beauty of our love to this sacred place”. In all fairness he was probably just getting us back for our awkwardly long (and somewhat inappropriate) kiss…
We set some doves free, which in the week following this event we almost run over a couple of times. This was because we stayed at the resort for our honeymoon as well, and the doves returned home to their feeding place and it was right next to the winding road that led to our cottage.
What would it mean if you ran over one of the doves you sat free on your wedding day?
After the kiss and hug eD revealed that he had packed a picnic for us. We found a nice spot nearby and arranged the picnic goods. He set up his flip camera to capture the moment.
So off we went, Mr Helmbold and Mrs Jansen van Vuuren, happily married. Oh, I didn’t change my last name . . .
As much as I would love to be able to fit my last name into the allocated blocks on forms, I knew that I would have no power left when my last name is “Helmbold”. I still want the white dress and bridesmaids, in the near future, when we have the money for it all…
And then, with that (and another diamond ring), I will change my last name. It’s all about how you play the game 
On a serious note, we have now been married for a month, and we’re enjoying every second of it. Married life is so much fun. Despite our fights about cutlery . . .
Comments
One Response to “One Month Later”
Got something to say?
Dear Eduard and Alida,
Congratulations! For some reason I was nor surprised at all that you got married in Hawai - somehow that fits the picture I have in my head of Eduard! However - you both looked lovely and very happy. Everything of the best for the future.
Oh yes, Alida, I am Eduard’s (in spite of) Dad’s sister. Good luck with him as a father in law….
Love,
Tannie Wanda