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 Tuesday, January 1st, 2019 is one day I will never forget.

 

It was the day that inspired me become a marriage celebrant.

 

Five minutes into a two-hour family train trip with my daughter, Amy and her fiancé, Connor, Amy excitedly opened her suitcase and presented me with a small box.

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Inside was a beautiful pink and white coffee mug.

 

On the front were the words "Father of the Bride", and on the back was a poem…

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 Dear Dad,

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I love you more than words can say,
and I need your help on my big day.
Please guide me then give me away,
Then bind us 'till we're old and grey,
and teach us to live with love always.

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Amy looked at me wide-eyed as she recited her poem. 'You know what that means don't you, Dad.'

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"Then bind us 'till we're old and grey..."

 

I hesitated. 'Um, you want me to perform some sort of handfasting ritual at your wedding?'

 

'No Dad... We want you to marry us.'

 

'What? Is that a even a thing?' This was unexpected and overwhelming. Amy could see my tears welling.

 

She pulled me close as the tears streamed down my cheeks.

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'It is now Dad Dad.’

 

I just melt when she calls me Dad Dad.

 

Amy took my hands into hers. Through my bleary eyes, I could make out she was teary, and Connor too,

I could even hear the lady in the seat behind us sobbing. 

Amy explained, 'You don't need to be a celebrant, as long as there's one there,

they can do all the legal stuff, you can still marry us’.

 

I wiped my cheeks with my sleeve and thought quietly for maybe a whole second,

'No, I don't want to do that.'

 

Amy's bottom lip quivered, 'Why Dad? Connor and I couldn't think of anyone else we'd rather have marry us'.

 

'If you want me to marry the two of you, I want to do this properly.

That's why I'll become a marriage celebrant, it'll be my wedding gift for you.'

 

And then the waterworks really started to pour.

 

Including the lady behind us.

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...

 

After 9 months of challenging course modules and exams,

in November 2019, I became a registered marriage celebrant. Phew! 

 

And I was privileged to marry Amy and Connor on Sunday, 5th of January 2020.

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​It was the most perfect of days.

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...

 

I love sharing love stories...

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and I’d love to play a part in yours.