Sixteen years ago today, 11.11.92 at 11 am we eloped.
I clearly recollect my wedding day. We awoke slowly, had breakfast and a leisurely talked. Then we realized we were running late and had to leave to Osgoode Hall, downtown Toronto where we were to be married by Alan's long time friend and judge, Roland (Roy) McMurtry QC.
We picked up Alan's mom on the way to City Hall. She had bought our boutonnieres. When we arrived our friends were already there.
Because it was Remembrance Day we had the beautiful historic building all to ourselves. The judge's brother Bill, Alan's partner at his law firm, found out about the wedding and crashed the festivities.
It was a completely stress-free ceremony, saying our vows which we had drafted a few days prior, went without a hitch. My face hurt from all the smiling as the photographer took pictures. Later, we went for lunch at Winsons's, an amazing restaurant where we ran into a few more of Alan's associates and the marriage was no longer a secret.
The courtship, and planning the wedding was a blast, the only people who knew our secret were our assistants Joanne and Roxy, who helped us with some of the details of the courtship and wedding. Mum was the word and they didn't let on to anyone. The eve of the wedding, Alan convinced me to call home, which I did. As expected, I got a lecture but by the end of the conversation got the blessings.
After lunch we drove to a resort, arriving as it was lightly snowing and very dark. We got lost at the golf course and finally made it to the main building as it was approaching 11 pm. Our room was not ready, and we had to sit in the lounge while we waited for the room. By this time I was hungry, tired, and getting grumpy. But the rest of the honeymoon was wonderful. Three days later, Alan drove us home, first dropping me off at my home, and then drove off to his home, in a different city. Our courtship had been brief and we had not discussed who would be moving leaving that discussion to after the wedding. Three months later, Alan moved to my city.
Whatever with a big splashy wedding, who needs the stress! I promised my husband our life would be simple, and non-complicated. By and large, that is how I am in this marriage. And to begin with, each year when we start seeing poppies, we know our anniversary is approaching it is on Remembrance Day after all. How easy is that?
Sixteen years later, among all the wonderful things this marriage has brought into my life includes a best friend forever (BFF). Sweet!
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