We're getting married on Saturday! Actually my girlfriend is on the plane right now...just left JFK. She must have asked me a million times to marry her since we met 3 years ago, but I didn't want something rushed. It's bad enough not to actually have any one recognize our marriage as "real" , so I wanted to do it properly to show that I meant it. I decided to plan it for before I left England. What a mistake that was! I have nightmares this week trying to organize emigrating and the wedding but I'm so looking forward to it. It's an official ceremony introduced by Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, and we're both grateful to him for giving us this chance to experience something that has until now been denied to us.

We met online...a total fluke, but that one chance meeting changed my life forever, and now here I am about to move to the US. We bought our rings 2 years ago in Massachusetts, and have been wearing them ever since, although we will exchange them properly on Saturday. We didn't want to keep them and not wear them because as we couldn't be together it was the only thing we had to remind us of why we're doing this. We're both very romantic and that's what's held us together this last 3 years. So glad we made it this far.

Wow, I know you had mentioned it before, but I didn't realise you two were getting married this soon. I really do hope you have a lovely day and many, many happy years together.
Ken doesn't actually perform the ceremony himself does he?

Thank you! LOL...no he's far too important for that! We have a gay celebrant minister who is wonderful and has worked very hard on the ceremony. We did see Ken when we went in to register though. I was going to go and shake his hand but then I remember the congestion charge!

Congestion charge? Paying to drive into London - is that what you mean? Oh, man I've probably lost the plot again!

No you haven't lost the plot...it is the scheme that makes you pay to drive into London, and it was introduced by old Ken. I'm having issues with it today as I have to drive through London to go and pick up my girlfriend and of course the page on the website where you pay is not working! Aargh! Typical England!

But looking on the bright side of things, you are going to see your girlfriend when you eventually do get to the airport

I jolly well hope so! It would be so cruel if immigration didn't let her in on this last trip.

It was a number of coincidences i suppose. I at the last minute decided to take a part time masters degree at my local Uni. My wife had come from the USA to do one semster at the uni as her overseas component. We had a class when we both agreed with each other on something and thats when she noticed me. We started dating and then knowing she was due to return to the USA in January i got the diamond ring wrapped it up inside another gift and on christmas morning gave it to her and got down on one knee. We hadnt know each other that long, around 3 months but i was just sure she was the 'ONE' so i had to ask. Amazingly she said yes and we sorted out a longer visa for her, she transferred onto the course proper and got the whole masters on top of her USA masters. I did it in one year instead of the normal 2 for a part timer and when we finished our dissertations we moved to the USA.

I hate it here so far and i am unhappy about my life and my career prospects here but i love my wife something crazy so even when i am unhappy i know its is worth it to be with her as she is the best thing to ever happen to me.

god i hope she doesnt read this,

regards,

Duncan

Sweet story Duncs. I'm sorry you're hating it in the US. What is it that you don't like?

OMG! I didn't realise it was so soon - or that it was here!! If I had known, I would have attended, (uninvited or not!! LOL ) - seriously I would have asked if you needed another witness! We are having a big Family thing on Saturday so totally tied up.. it's the thought that counts though I guess.
How exciting - bet you're nerve's are all over the place!
Is the ceremony actually at the GLA helmet building or somewhere else?

Now she's actually here and safely through immigration, I'm starting to realize it's going to happen! Not really nervous, but very much looking forward to it. Just trying to think of a way to explain to the chauffeur why I'm wearing black leather and there's another woman with me! LOL. Yep...it's in the helmet thingy. Actually I think it looks like an Armadillo with its bum in the air!

I'm very happy to hear that the two of you are officially getting "hitched" in the UK.

I just wish the US was more tolerant/understanding about same sex relationships...




NC Penguin

I have the perfect wedding song for you RG... send me a blank e-mail to Brigie and I'll send it back!

You can play it for romance tonight!

...and of a woman's right to choose....see Bush is turning back the clock on abortion without any real view of the consequences of his actions (hey what's new), illegal and dangerous back street abortions here we go again...

Congratulations Rockgurl...good on you!

Talking of Bush, on the news last night it stated the troops that are dying in Iraq their familys are now getting a whooping $12000 instead of $6000. so if I get this correctly, you go over to Iraq get blown away and your wife and kids get $12,000 in compenstation, is that total or a lump sum plus some sort of benefits for lost of income?