Today is our 9th wedding anniversary! 9 years ago we got married in Athens, GA. It was a gorgeous day although the days leading up we had some severe tornadoes hitting the area. I'm not sure how Gary managed to get off in May to get married in the middle of pool openings ( I know he wouldn't have given anybody the time off!), but I'm glad because it was a great day.
I remember the caterer shaking his head at all the alcohol we had bought for the 130-140 guests, and said you bought way too much. Needless to say, we knew our friends and there was one case of beer left and one bottle of champagne! We had a great time and when the time came to cut the cake, we used the cutting knife to feed eachother and then the caterer proceeded to cut the rest of the cake with the same knife! After the reception we went downtown and continued partying all night in the local bars. It was fun!
Our "honeymoon" was spent on Fripp Island with 16 members of our familes and friends and this was when we first fell in love with Fripp. We always laughed talking about our honey moon because it wasn't the traditional way of honeymooning. We even brought our cats Norm and Elaine. And anybody who's ever heard of Norm must know that Gary loved me a lot to bring him on the honeymoon.
I'm grateful for all of our memories and just so sad that we didn't get longer together. The night before Gary died we were planning our 10 year anniversary trip. I had found this amazing little private island in the Carribean, and I was showing Gary all the pictures that I found and I was getting annoyed b/c he was watching the tornado that was hitting Atlanta during the SEC basketball tournament.
Thanks to all my girlfriends who are joinging me tonight for dinner. It will be fun!
4 comments:
Oh Annika, You made me cry again! You are so brave to let these feelings surface, and I know that this is exactly what will help you heal faster. Your wedding celebration and honeymoon sound so much like our family celebrations (We Europeans tend to do things differently don't we?)and it just saddens me so much to think that you missed out on such a beautiful 10 year anniversary trip. I hope you have a wonderful time tonight, and I am so glad you have such great friends surrounding you and helping you make it through this.
Always thinking of you (literally....your picture with Gary is on my desk!)
Dani Jordan
Been thinking about you all day - knew it was your anniversary - how could I forget - what a fabulous party - I have been fortunate to have some European influence in my life :)
Glad you are having an evening with the girls - they are cheaper and a lot more fun than therapy (i know all too well) - plus you can get away with including alcohol in the therapy session.
In my thoughts and on my mind everyday...
Beth
Hej Annika
Hoppas att du får en fin kväll, även om den inte firas på det sätt som den borde - med Gary. Vi tänker på dig och Hayden och Emmie och hoppas att ni har det så bra som det är möjligt. Sitter och tänker på ert bröllop och är så glad att jag fick vara där med er. Jag har många roliga och vackra minnen därifrån. Den "svenske" prästen minns man ju tydligt, precis som den fantastiska solosången och Garys löften på svenska (och dina "stödjande" fniss under tiden!).
Skål för dig och Gary och era fantastiska barn - pussa dem från mig.
Kram,
Elisabeth
Dear Annika,
I just heard yesterday about Gary through the City of Salford swimming website. I am so sorry for your loss. I used to swim at the same club as Gary in 1984 / 85. I was 10 years old and in a Junior group. Gary was in Clive's top elite squad. He was such an inspiration to us younger swimmers, and always had time to talk. I remember him being very calm, and placid, and folding his tracksuit up as he went up to the blocks when we went to swimming competitions. He was on the Great Britain squad at the time, along with John Davey, and I remember sitting with my dad, who was telling me to watch Gary carefully. He worked so hard. I actually live near London now, not far from a place called Binfield, and I always think of Gary whenever I pass the roadsigns. I was extremely sad when I found out yesterday, and just thought I'd send you a message to say how kind I'll always remember him being. I send you my best wishes for you and your children. Amanda Hynes
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