Donagh and Maria got hitched!!!

I am so excited about this blog post.

I know that when I sign off at the end I will be beaming.

This blog is about a wedding that I went back to Ireland for this week.

It was a very brief return to the Emerald isle but a wonderful one.

Let me tell you a bit about the stunning couple. 

I met Donagh and Maria about 12 years ago, maybe even a bit longer.

We met through various people, and even back then you could tell they were the perfect couple.

The house they lived in (No. 5) was like the Mecca of wanderers.

Inevitably after a night out we would end up back there having some beers, playing video games or having an old sing-song. 

If the house was the centre of that universe, Maria and Donagh were the home planet with the moons of Kev, Pete and Steve orbiting around it. The sun of the universe was of course Kev jnr. The cat.

When my sister passed away, Donagh and Maria were two of the biggest pillars of support I had. 

So were the others in that group, I was so lucky in hindsight that they were so wonderful.

I have since marvelled about how good they were to me and how above and beyond they went for me when I was really having a shit time. When I was being a moaning bastard, they (mostly Donagh to be fair) were the first to tell me to wind my neck in but when I needed a hug their arms were always there to give one. The reality check is honestly what I think made me realise that the world didn't revolve around me and helped me move on.

Anyway, the wedding. 

The wedding was amazing. 

There were so many faces there that had slipped from my memories.

So many stories told that I had forgotten.

So many hugs, twirls, and affection shared among old friends brought together by these two people.

The day was so personal.

Friends sang at the church (though I must admit that I missed the ceremony)

Friends sang the first dance.

Friends made the cake.

Guests were treated to star wars chocolates and lovehearts.

The day was filled with love and laughter, music and song.

It was in my opinion the perfect way to celebrate the love of this wonderful couple.

One revelation that I had on the day had a really profound impact on me. 

As I sat at my table and looked at all of the lovely people that have enriched my life through my friendship with Donagh and Maria, I realised that my time being a visitor at No.5 was probably the best time of my life.

I was struggling with a few of life's hurdles at the time, but I look back at my early twenties, not as a time of sorrow but as a time of laughter and fun and true honest to god true friendship.

I don't recall ever walking into a room with such anticipation as I did last Friday.

I was naturally overjoyed to see our pal Pete, who had flown back from Australia for the wedding. 

I hugged that poor man into an inch of his life at one stage! But the others who I hadn't seen in years, who have had such wonderful stories to share of the time since we last saw each other also filled my heart with delight. I was so happy to see so many lovely people that I don't really have reason to meet a decade on from when we knew each other.

The excitement I felt when I heard Donagh turn to Maria in surprise and say 'Oh god, there is Louise O'Dwyer, lets go up to her to say hi.' I am actually getting quite emotional writing this! Seriously I am crying now. I need to make a cup of tea before I can continue.

Tea made, nose blown I am back to finish this wee piece.

I will it with a few thankfuls.

1. I am thankful that Donagh and Maria remembered to invite to their wedding even if it was a little bit last minute!! It was in my opinion the best way I could have been invited to your wedding.

2. I am thankful that Donagh and Maria got see how willing people are to travel to see them celebrate their love for each other. Donagh said to me at one stage that it was overwhelming having everyone there. I think the word 'telling' is more apt to the situation. People were literally willing to come from the other side of the world.

3. I am thankful that I got to meet Glasgow Steve. The Scotsman who is my opposite. He allegedly sounds Irish now in the same way that I now sound Scottish. Our plan to send parcels is genius and I am astounded that we haven't come up with this before.

4. I am thankful that I got to see everyone. I am not eloquent enough to describe how much it meant to see everyone again after so long. It was wonderful.

5. I am thankful that Donagh sang the song 'Asshole' at the end of the night. I know that it pained you but it was fabulous. Thank you! 

Maria, Donagh..... thank you for a great day. Let's try not to leave it so long til we catch up again xx