Monthly Archives: July 2006

It’s just gone 3am, and about 4 hours ago I was just leaving County hall at the end of a long and very exciting day.

At 9am my alarm woke me and I got up, grabbed some breakfast and prepared myself for the day. An hour and a half later Gaz (Ross’ best man) picked me up and we went to Ross’ house. When there, me Gaz and Ben (the drummer) prayed for Ross before Ben left for practice at about 11. Then we chilled out for an hour or so, generally chatting and amusing ourselves, and making sure that Ross was nice and relaxed.

At 12 we started to get ready, at which point Ross cut himself shaving. It wasn’t a small cut either, it was something of a gash which bled lots and left a nice mark. Gaz then drove to a nearby boots to try and get some stuff to cover it up, none of which worked. In the end Ross’ sister in law applied some of her makeup to it at Vineyard before the service started.

By 1pm the three of us were suited up and ready to go, minus waistcoats and jackets. We decided to leave them off until just before the service, as it was going to be a long and rather warm day. We did have some minor issues getting the cravats, but they were solved with the aid of safety pins. Once at the church there were a few organisational things to be done, including talking to the photographer and getting some Grooms party photos done before the service began.

The service itself was wonderful, it was a worship service and it really reflected on Ross and Sarah’s faith, which was just brilliant! As the mere Groomsman, I didn’t have a lot to do during the service itself, although I got the honour of being a witness and signing the register (in an attempt to share out the duties of the Best man between me and Gaz to make his life easier.), and then after the service I was supposedly in charge of bossing people around for the photos, although I didn’t really know anyone and don’t particularly like raising my voice in public, so that didn’t really happen.

At 4ish we all filtered off in cars to the reception venue, County hall. There were a few more photos outside, some of the car and some of more people groups. With a few of the bridesmaids with Ross and Sarah by the river trent, which makes for rather a nice backdrop for photos. Then we made our way inside and had the obligatory lineup, then sat down to eat. Me and Gaz were on a table with the four bridesmaids plus two other girls, so we were feeling rather outnumbered, and Gaz was clearly extremely nervous about his speech so I’m not sure quite how much he enjoyed the meal, which is a real shame. The speeches were all rather good, and Gaz had nothing to worry about, he managed to sum Ross up very well considering they haven’t known each other for very long, and it was generally an excellent speech.

Once the meal was over and done with there was a relaxed period where nothing much seemed to happen. The staff cleared the tables away to make room for the dancing, but the meal finished at about 6-6:30, and the evening do was scheduled to begin at 7:30 (and started a little later than that). So most of this time was spent milling around and chatting with people, which was rather fun for me as I went there knowing very few people aside from Ross.

Then the evening do began with the first dance, which was suitably romantic, then we had a little live entertainment from a singer (I didn’t catch her name unfortunately), who had a beautiful voice. Then it was disco time, with the DJ playing a range of classics mostly from the 70s and 80s. By this time my parents were here, along with a few other familiar faces, which was nice, and since the music was just too loud for everyones fragile ears we found a quiet corner to sit and chat away in.

The night continued until about 11 as I said, then I came home and have completely failed to sleep. I suspect it’s got something to do with the fact that one of my best friends has just gotten married. It may well be that on top of that certain female friends of mine simply refuse to leave my head (again, a result of having been to a marriage I believe). I suspect I’m also still buzzing somewhat from the excitement of the day. I had originally planned on going to church in the morning but I really won’t be up in time, so I think I’ll have to stick with the afternoon baptist service instead. Thankfully it’s at 2:30, so I can have a nice lie in!

I actually came downstairs to try and relax, and write a short entry. This is a very long entry and I still don’t feel very sleepy. Nevermind…

Last year there was just one couple in CU, and they got married last summer! As much as CU’s often have a reputation for being dating agencies, Leicester just wasn’t like that.

However, over the course of a year (and I suppose beginning right at the end of last year), we have had 4 people (thats two couples) get together and break up, and another three couples who are still together, on top of that my housemate got together with a girl from Warwick (they met on a summer mission).

I have also spent a fair bit of time this year getting to know some of the students at DeMontford who are in CU there, through Church mostly, and there are a whole lot of couples there, and at Ross’ stag/hen do yesterday there were three couples (obviously including Ross and Sarah).

Not to mention a few choice comments from certain parties aimed in my general direction (you know who you are!). All in all this amounts to me feeling more and more surrounded by couples who are my age. The really weird thing is that I don’t mind. Last year this would have been killing me, and whilst I still look forward to the day when I meet someone, I don’t really feel like I’m longing for it anymore. Heck, I don’t feel like I want it at the moment let alone long for it. Once again I’m content with being single, which is an altogether excellent situation to be in!

This story goes back quite a few years, I’m afraid I don’t remember how long exactly but it was pre-2002. I went away for the weekend to a Baptist union youth conference, if memory serves correctly it was in Blackpool and I went with my sister. It was the first time I’d really gone away from home without my parents, so it was quite exciting!

Whilst there, I met a girl called Lorna, she was suitably lovely and as a parting gift she gave me (and a few other people who were there) a bracelet thing. We kept in touch by e-mail for a little while, but I have always been a bit rubbish at that, so it didn’t last long.

Then a few months ago Ross, who is a friend from back home, informed me that he had met a girl called Lorna whilst he was working for viz-a-viz, and that she knew me. Suffice to say I was a little surprised, and also quite excited, but as far as I knew that was the end of it.

Now Ross is getting married next weekend, which is very exciting! And today is the stag/hen do (hag do if you will). I just checked the e-mail about it to make sure I knew what was going on, and I wondered whether Ross knew what was going on or not so I checked the list of recipients, and to my great surprise, Lorna’s e-mail address was on the list. The very same address she had over 4 years ago.

So now not only am I excited to be going to a stag do for one of my very close friends (I even get to be his grooms man at the wedding!), but I will also get to see Lorna again after such a long time. I wonder if I’ll recognise her… or if she’ll recognise me!