A few weeks back I was asked if I would consider photographing the Wedding of two very special friends of a past client.
Now, not being a Wedding Photographer my initial thoughts were to decline but having heard a brief story about the couple concerned, I found myself wanting to know more; that’s when I met up with Derek & Dorothy.
Being a Photographer I get to meet and work with all sorts of interesting people…all with a story to tell, but meeting up with Derek & Dorothy has stopped me dead in my tracks and moved me emotionally on more than one occasion; allow me to briefly explain why…
Derek & Dorothy met just under 3 years ago and have both been in long term married relationships before; Dorothy’s marriage ending in divorce after some 50 years and Derek’s wife Irene sadly passing away after some 55 years of wonderful, happy marriage. As well as being two of the sweetest people I have ever met, it’s sitting down and talking with them (something I could do for hours believe me) that has moved me so much. What I find ‘beautiful’ about their relationship is how they are so open and honest with each other and talk with fondness about their past.
Coming from a family where my parents got divorced when I was very young and seeing what holding on to ‘resentment’ can do to people, I initially found it a little uncomfortable how Derek spoke openly and with emotion about his wife Irene of 55 years, thinking how Dorothy may feel hearing it, but I needn’t have felt that way:
“We all have our past and if we hadn’t had the things happen in our lives that have,
then me and Derek may never have met and be together now”
Hearing Dorothy say that was so incredibly moving but more so was when Derek relayed to me what Dorothy had said to him some time before…
“If I could have met you all those years ago I would gladly swap places with Irene to have had the life with you that she had.”
I ask you…does it get any better than that? Generally I can deal with most things but hearing those words and thinking, really thinking what Dorothy means by saying that has nearly brought me to tears on several occasions and that I’m not afraid or embarrassed to admit.
I have a lot to thank Photography for but apart from the obvious, one ‘benefit’ I never considered at first was the people I would meet along the way. Ranking high in the people I feel privileged to have met are Derek & Dorothy; two people who to me, epitomise what relationships are all about: Dedication, Devotion and Love that knows no bounds.
Derek and Dorothy are to show to the world their devotion to each other and become husband and wife on the 26th June 2010 and I’m extremely honoured to be the one capturing this very special day, and rest assured I’ll be sharing some of the photographs here on the blog.
It would be wonderful if you could take a moment and leave a message for Derek and Dorothy here in the comments section, and should you wish to I’ll make sure that they get to see each and every one.
Thanks for looking in
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by Glyn
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