Celebrating 10 Years of Marriage

I can’t believe today is mine and my husband Peter’s, 10 year wedding anniversary. A whole decade. Wow!

2 weddings and 2 kids later, living in different cities-London, Bristol and then back to Leeds in Yorkshire, adventures, laughter, work projects and more, life is never boring here.

And yes 2 weddings (!) a stunning intimate candlelit ceremony in Port Elizabeth in South Africa overlooking the sea (the milestone we’re celebrating today) and a year later, once Peter had finished his Greek lessons (really) and had been christened Greek Orthodox, we had our Big Fat Greek Wedding (our lives did feel similar to the film that year)-although ours was a much classier affair it must be said (ha)!

It was wonderful to have 2 ceremonies (a girl’s dream), both were religious, the first being Methodist and also where we signed the register, and although we have wedding pictures framed from both weddings, our first was clearly so long ago, I couldn’t find the digital files to that one! Eek.

I was lucky to have two different wedding dresses for each too, the first by local designer Vicky Martin for a more simple, classic heart shaped bodice and tulle skirt, and my Greek wedding dress was by renowned French trio of sisters, designers Cymbeline with layers of lace and and a long romantic veil. Plus my Mum and I managed a few girly trips with 2 fittings in Paris at Galeries Lafayette and 1 in Nice. Ooh la la!

Our Greek wedding (below) was at the Greek church in Leeds followed by a reception for 200 with live Greek music, at the stunning Rudding Park Hotel in Harrogate.

I was 24, Peter 25 on our (first) wedding day, so young yet so sure we were meant for one another after meeting during university (I had just finished an MA, he was starting an MSc), and we were right too, we are absolutely each other’s yin and yang and as cheesy as it sounds, one another’s perfect match.

Peter is quieter than I am (pre-wine), I’m the louder, life and soul of the party girl (he likes to stand back and observe a bit, whereas I rush too much, making best friends everywhere I go-we balance one another out), both ambitious, we are the strongest team together, in life, and in work.

I push him forwards while he grounds me. Peter never worries (unlike me), he’s like a real life Buddha (he can, (although doesn’t) teach tai chi), confident, never arrogant, he’s the first person I go to with a problem and always offers me context, and relieves my silly concerns.

A rare breed of a man, he’s logical, scientific and creative too, an IT whizz by day, and also a huge part of my blog (mostly by night-sorry Peter), shooting me for official campaigns and modelling work, blog posts and of course our family days out and holidays.

He also helps keep the IT side of my blogs slick, and is my best friend, partner in crime, and gorgeous right hand man. We work so well together and never, ever argue on shoots, I always feel so relaxed and content knowing he’s behind the camera and life is always fun with Peter.

Talking of polar opposites, he, unlike me, hates being in front of the camera (poor guy, married to a blogger) and prefers to do the shooting, so shots of us together are rare but I’ve shared some of my favourites right here from golden oldies to more recent shots.

Back in the day-

More than anything, I love that man more each day, the best thing, and this weirdly happens a lot, perhaps if he heads off somewhere (case in point, he went to pay the parking ticket for the car last week) and returns, for an instant I think, ‘Wow who’s that hot guy?’ before realising it’s my husband! Aw!

I knew he’d make an amazing Dad too, his biggest and most important role, so hands on, everything is shared here as it should be, and it’s always has been that way, both up in the night with babies and toddlers, there when they’re ill or scared… he cooks like a dream I ust add (important in this foodie family) and really lives for those boys, and me.

Our beautiful sons are our biggest success, they’ve brought us closer together (despite the tougher parenting times) and despite bickering more than ever. Sleep deprivation can do that to a couple!

My family mean the world to me, and I love that Peter fitted right in with us from the start. My folks live just 15 minutes away from us, and my brother, Solos is nearby too. Peter’s family live far away in South Africa so I’m so glad he’s so close to my immediate family who are such a strong support to us both.

I feel so lucky to have Peter in my life.

Just so you don’t actually think he’s perfect reading this, unbeknown to most, he’s one stubborn dude too, sure of himself and what he wants, but I find that so attractive. I couldn’t be with someone where I’m ‘the boss’, relationships should be equal and ours really is (even if I’m the louder one)! He’s been known to put subtitles on when I talk over the TV!

That and separate bathrooms is the secret to a lasting, happy marriage. Oh and compromise. I will never forget the priest’s words on our wedding day, 10 years ago today who said, ‘Marriage is about learning to compromise’.

So, tonight we’ll be raising a glass to 10 years of marriage and celebrating properly over the bank holiday weekend (where we can recover with that extra day). We’re 10 years older after all!

Here’s to many more years of crazy adventures Mr Honest Mum, you rock my world.