Introducing Laura and Andrew...

Laura and Andrew have given me their kind permission to tell you their story, so without further ado, I'll let them tell it....


Once upon a time...

Well to be precise it was 1st September 2006. I had just started a new job away from home, away from friends, away from family. I was nervous and a little scared but I knew I needed the space.

You see, the summer of 2005 had changed my life completely. My best friend in the whole world and the man I thought I would marry was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident. It completely threw me. Matthew and I were so close. I knew he loved me and I never had the courage to tell him that I felt the same. I just assumed we would get there in the end. Suddenly he was gone. For a year I studied to complete my finals at uni and grieved and cried and didn't sleep. It was a hard time but with the help of my friends and family and some very understanding tutors I managed to graduate with a 2:1 and land a job that sounded incredible.

In my first week in the job I met Andrew. He was such a lovely, genuine, helpful guy and I instantly liked him. What I didn't know, until he confessed over a year later, was that he immediately had this sense that we would end up together! It scared the life out of him! Bless him! We gradually got to know one another and all of a sudden I realised I liked him! In fact when we spent a week a part over Halloween we missed each other like crazy! And so, on my return we met at my cottage for some hot chocolate and a game of monopoly by the fire. Simple, but beautiful.

We had such fun together and loved loads of the same things...from competitive games to winter walks on the beach, from picnics to malteasers and minstrels! We just clicked...

As we spent more time together, I realised that I needed to tell him about Matthew. It had influenced so much of who I had become and I couldn't get closer to Andrew without explaining what I had been through. I was terrified - convinced that it would scare or intimidate him. I didn't want him to feel that he had to live up to anyone else or that my heart wasn't ready to love him. I already felt so close to him. Telling him had to come next.

I remember vividly how I felt sitting on the couch, choosing my words, explaining my story and praying he'd understand. He didn't say anything, just let me talk and cry. I'd never been listened to more intently. When I stopped speaking I put my head down waiting for his reaction. And then I heard the most unexpected phrase...'You are amazing.' I was confused, to say the least. I had just explained how I'd fallen apart completely! Then Andrew told me a story I will never forget.

'At the bottom of the ocean is an oyster, happily living it's life, doing oyster-y things. Suddenly one day a piece of dirt enters the oyster shell. It iritates and grates on the poor oyster. After a time, the oyster opens and when it does, the most beautiful pearl appears. Your heart, Laura, is that pearl,' he said. 'You've been through the toughest time, but just like the oyster's irritation turned into a gorgeous pearl, your story makes you all the more beautiful.'

And that was the moment I knew I could love again. In fact, that was the moment I knew WHO I could love again. And I hope to find the perfect pearls to wear on my wedding day to prove it!

Not all stories start with once upon a time. But I'm hoping for a happy ever after.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. It's not complicated or fancy, but it's true and it's love, and that is the most important thing in the whole world.

Laura and Andrew

I am so excited and delighted to spend your wedding day with you in November 2009! Can't wait! xo

P.S When I informed them of their news I got the funniest email. First one to say that they were at that moment in time, 'screaming with excitement!' ... the second one I got was when the news had had a bit of time to sink in, and with it I received a picture that they had just literally taken to show just how happy they were, and it was of the two them with huge smiles and their thumbs up! =) I have a feeling that these two are going to be lots of fun!!