There is going to be a wedding.
This July, back on the island where I was born, my oldest, closest childhood friend will exchange Miss for Mrs, although in true Scottish fashion she already shares a surname with the man she is due to marry. She was my bridesmaid, almost seven years ago, and I’m honoured that she has asked me to do the same.
What a joyful celebration it will be. I can imagine already her shy smile, her graceful walk, the radiant light in her eyes. I know there will be giggles as she and her husband try to steady their shaking hands for long enough to ease on golden bands.
The plan is for a beach wedding – a quiet expanse of coral white, at the end of a winding road. We will all be praying for sunshine. Her fearless, bonnie daughter will be a flower girl, set free to gather shells and build sandcastles during the longer speeches. We’ll dine afterwards in the hotel that my family has owned for three generations – a place where we have both done dishwashing duty. There will be dancing, I’m sure, and much laughter.
My friend’s true love is a gentle giant from another island. Six foot something of Highland brawn, and the kindest smile you’ve ever seen. He works in the distillery, knows all the secrets of a perfect dram. I met him for the first time in a Paisley hospital ward, the day after their daughter was born; he cradled her like a tiny feather in the crook of his arm.
This will be the first time in over ten years that my friend and I have been back home together. We are calmer these days, more settled. I like to think there will be fewer Bacardi Breezers, and a little less late night dancing. I am hoping we can avoid bloodied knees from drunken stumbles. But I make no promises.
There is no substitute for someone who has known you forever, someone who has shared the saddle on your beloved rocking horse. When I moved away we wrote weekly letters, and over the years we progressed from dress-up to discos, from posters of bands to crushes on teachers, from douchebag boyfriends to inevitable broken hearts. And now there is this – true love, family life, continuing friendship.
It is odd. We are both solitary types; happy with our own company, a good book, maybe some hot, sweet tea and toast. But when we’re together we have that easy kind of friendship that is just as comfy with silence or chatter. For years we used to walk the quiet streets of our village, imagining the future. Where would we live? Who would we marry? What would we be? We’d pause for a while to sit on the steps, swigging contraband whisky from the bottle to keep ourselves warm. Then we’d walk and talk, and talk and walk, all the while watching the clear night sky. Who could have imagined all this?
There is going to be a wedding.
I can think of no better reason to fly across the world.
***
I am so grateful and surprised to make it to the finals of the Brilliance in Blogging Awards – all the more so because it’s in the Best Writer category that I have reached the final six. What an honour. Thank you so very much if you took the time to vote for me. I won’t make it to London for the ceremony, but I can’t wait to follow the event online and hope to see some of my own favourite bloggers recognised.
Dorkymum | Stories from Tasmania 
Ahh congrats to your friend and I hope it’s a very lovely day. And congrats to you on making it to the finals of the Bibs. Very well deserved xx
Thanks so much lovely, really appreciate it 🙂 xx
It will be wonderful to be there for her! We have everything crossed for good weather and a safe trip! (and maybe also for being able to se you whilst you/re back on this side of the world – well you never know!)
Thank you so much Mary 🙂 I wish we could stay longer and travel around a bit, but the trip falls outside of school holiday time so we can’t spend too long across. I’ll have to see if I can persuade you all up to Scotland 🙂 x
Good morning! I must tell you that today is my catch up day, so you can expect a slew of comments anon! I am so happy for you that you will be able to share in the wedding of your friends – there is nothing more beautiful then sending love on its way with a kiss and bouquet.
This is the first time I hae heard of your family’s hotel – how fun (or maybe not) to have grown up in that milieu.
Congrats on the Brilliance in Blogging finals! Bravo, you!
Lots of fun! It was Aunties and Uncles (and now cousins) who did the day to day running, but it was a huge part of my life too and remains so today. I may have a post brewing about that! xx
i love the formality you reinforce with the car and the chauffeur.
Thanks for your comment! That’s from my own wedding – the wonderful photographer was Gordon Jack. x
oh haha…I couldn’t see the text as i was on my iphone. What a beautiful picture to remember your special day!
Sounds like a lovely friendship – and such a good time for a visit back here x
Thanks! Yes, we’re timing it well – missing a week of Tassie winter and hopefully getting a week of warm Scottish summer! x
That sounds wonderful, I wasn’t brave enough to do a beach wedding but they always look wonderful, and probably more so in that corner of the world. Hope it’s an amazing day.
Thank you so much. Even if it pours with rain, it’s going to be a lovely day 🙂 x
aww how lovely – coming back to bonny scotland for a wedding. The last wedding I went to in Scotland had a ceilidh – it was fantastic fun – I do love a scottish wedding!!
Isn’t it amazing how everyone can ceilidh dance after a drink or two?! Sounds like you had a great time – dontcha love love? x
What a lovely post. I am glad your friend has met someone special and that you are able to come back to share it.
Well done on your BiBs finalist status
Thanks so much Joy, I really appreciate it xx
Lovely post, reminds me of the friendship shared between me and my oldest friend, so special. I hope the wedding is marvellous and congrats on your fully deserved finalist place! X
Thanks so much lovely 🙂 x
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Goosebumps. I have actual goosebumps.
And how amazing that you are able to make it back for the wedding. Though I know you would do all in your power to make sure you didn’t miss something like this.
I can’t wait to hear all about it. A beach wedding sounds just magical.
Keep your fingers crossed for sunshine! Thanks for the lovely comment T x
Oh I am sure it will be wonderful and I bet you can’t wait to be back home. Such a beautiful post.
Thanks Jenny! Can’t wait 🙂 x
You are coming back to Scotland? *Squeals*. Gimme a shout if you’re heading Edinburgh way xxx
Ahhh, I so wish we were – lots of people we’d like to see, but we’re flying through Glasgow and it’s only a quick trip. Next time for sure – unless you make it out to Tassie first! x
What a gorgeous post (as ever *swoons with your warm way with words*), and what a beautiful wedding it’s going to be ….. she sounds such a special friend to you! X
Thanks – yes, she’s definitely a keeper! x
Sounds like the perfect friendship, I love the memories of Bacardi Breezers, late night dancing and bloody knees. A beach wedding sounds perfect too. x
All true – along with plenty of other things that I left out 😉 x
Beautiful that sounds like a very special friendship.
I am a lucky lady x
This is just beautiful. I read it this morning and had to come back to comment.
I hope my best friend feels like this about my wedding!!
I bet she does Donna! x
I was feeling sad at the start thinking that you wouldn’t be there – so pleased you can make it. Friendship like that is hard to find.
Very true 🙂 thanks for commenting Rebecca x
Well done on your BiBs nomination. Give us a shout when you are home, if you have time with all the family friend catch ups. 🙂 When is it? I am heading away for a family wedding at the end of August.