Friday, June 13, 2008

SS - Celebration of Love



Do you see the second rainbow?

I'm combining SS's prompt of "Guide" with Tink's June's Honeymoon Cruise. A celebration of love and weddings for June.


There once was a woman named Tammy who was very happy without a man in her life. She had sadly fell into the wrong man's arms one time too many. Marriage was a bitter word to her ears that thirteen years could not sweeten. Memories of a man's touch would invade her sleep but her solitude and intuition would guide her back to sanity.


Her intuitive guide had served her well in raising her daughter's and dealing with her ever changing disabilities. She enjoyed her own company and had the unconditional love of her animals to fill the gaps of time. There were her friend's, books and an old used computer but her knowledge of it could fill a tea cup. It was a challenge she knew she could master but it was frustrating. Her guide had warned her to tread lightly with this computer chit chat but old habits die hard when it came to men.


That's when she stumbled across Dave on the computer. Both were inept at IMing so their courtship swept them into a phone relationship. She had spent thirteen years learning to live without a man, thinking it selfish to love with als. He had spent thirteen years after rehab, healing, scared to date as himself. She tried scaring him away but instead he came back again and again. He was drawn to her strength, humor and connection to God. She was not as easily convinced due to her past and uncertain future. In the end his romantic, generous loving heart won her over.


Her head was spinning at the thought of being loved again, but when marriage was mentioned her past stood in front of her like a brick wall. They had each been down that road once before and had kids, but he was old fashioned in that way. He convinced her to scale that wall and trust that he would catch her on the other side. She said yes when he purposed on bended knee, at sunset, in an abandoned orchard on a hill. A table set for two, a picnic basket and Barbra Streisand serenading them from a boom box.


It was a beautiful sunset ceremony where they exchanged their vow's. She chose Tunnels Beach (Bali Hai) in Kauai for the wedding with just a singer, minister, four witnesses and a peeping sea turtle. She chose a wedding date she had always dreaded in those thirteen years of being single, Valentine's Day! She wrote the ceremony and they each wrote their own vows. It was intimate, romantic and surreal. After they stood at the water's edge giggling at their perfect day, a double rainbow had quietly appeared.


Their intuition guided them into taking a chance on love and each other. This is a story of hope, love and second chances. Here's to all the happy brides and grooms...cheers!



43 comments:

rel said...

Tammy.
This is a storybook tale and I'm glad it happened to you and dave.
rel

Kay Cooke said...

That double rainbow!!! What a promise! Isn't God good?!

GreenishLady said...

I just love your story, Tammy, and I thank you for sharing it with us so beautifully.

gautami tripathy said...

I am very happy for you both, Tammy! I wish you happiness forever!

This is such a beautiful post..

Giggles said...

A story of loves tenacity to survive amongst all odds! Poignant and well written it will be hard to top!
I do see the two rainbows! He looks ecstatically thrilled and you my darling look bea-U-TI-FUL!!!Tammy you never disappoint! Thank- you thank- you for this scribbling!

Hugs Giggles

Nancy said...

Stories just don't get told better than that. And a love story at that.
It warmed my heart and made me smile.

If we don't talk soon, I'm gonna freakin' freak the freak out.

We have one week, or else our friendship will self destruct.

Love you,
Nance

anthonynorth said...

What a beautiful, heart-warming piece. It gives hope for all who haven't been there yet. 'Cos while there's breath in you, it can come.

Anonymous said...

What an amazing love story and written perfectly. I do see the double rainbows, what a beautiful sign.
Here's to you and your love! I'm so very happy you found each other.

You look so beautiful in the pictures, glowing.

XOXOX

Anonymous said...

I LOVE reading about your and Dave's courtship and marriage in this way - like a fairytale come true!!! The photos - and the words - are just beautiful, Tammy!!!
Thank you so much my sweet friend, for sharing some of the lovely romance~XOXO

p.s. come visit some of the other June HoneyMoons!

Robbin said...

Just beautiful and I wish you all the happiness you deserve and I'm glad he didn't give up on you. I'm so glad you have each other. It can be lonely, no matter how strong you think you are traveling through life alone.

paisley said...

truth is often more romantic than fiction.. what a lovely story of surrender to romance...

gma said...

Beautiful...
A Hawaiian wedding.
Mahalo for a lovely post.

anno said...

Tammy, this is so beautiful -- reading this post gave me goosebumps (the good kind!). Thanks for sharing an amazing story, and those amazing pictures, too!

Geraldine said...

Soooooo....beautiful Tammy! Thanks for sharing it all with us. The photos are terrific too. Huggs to both of you lovely people. G

www.mypoeticpath.wordpress.com

danni said...

"... love believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things..." --- you two have been truly blessed to have come together - and a rainbow for each of you - what else can i say???

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

Your story is what songs are written about! It's really something and quite strange but every time I read about the two of you....and see that blissful photo of your wedding and others, I SWEAR I can see your eyes sparkle!!!!
I posted my wedding story too!
XOXOXO

Caroline said...

You look wonderful in your wedding photos and having read your story I can see why you are both so happy. Sometimes having obstacles to overcome provides the tests we need...

And what a blessing that double rainbow is!

Anonymous said...

Dear Tammy,
You made me cry! Happy tears. It brings me such joy that you found your partner. May you continue to support one another and bring each other strength and JOY!
May God continue to give you peace and bless you in every way!

xo
Constance

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

What a gorgeous story, Tammy. And the pictures?? Amazing. Wow.

It's always worth that second chance, I think.

artbrat said...

You are a wonderful storyteller. I really enjoyed your tale. Its so wonderful that you two found each other.

The double rainbow picture is incredible. Your hearts must have been overflowing when that occurred. Talk about nature voicing its opinion!

LA Nickers said...

So hopeful!

Blessings,
Linda

IN MY FATHER’S FIELD, at Nickers and Ink

Anonymous said...

You gave me goosebumps with your wonderful story and pictures. Hope you stop in to my place again.

Miss Robyn said...

what a fantastic love story! And yes, I can see the double rainbow...
thanks for visiting my blog xo

Steve said...

a beautiful post

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post, beautiful pictures, beautiful story! Gives me hope that fairytale love stories really do happen!

Tammie Lee said...

Ah, yours is such a lovely story. Such an enchanting wedding, I feel happy for you! Wishing you love always.

Jennifer Hicks said...

lovely! blessings to you and may you always find your guide in life...

Christy Woolum said...

I love being retold this amazing story. Congratulations again.

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful story -- I hope that there will continue to always be great stories like this one. So romantic...

Becca said...

I love your story, Tammy. I think they should make a movie out of it!
And you could write the script and pick the actress to play you! Wouldn't that be fun? Or maybe you could play yourself and get George Clooney for Dave ????

Seriously, this is a beautiful tale of love and hope. It warms my heart.

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

A true fairy tale, this. So beautiful, Tammy.

Now for the BAD news. I accidentally LOST your address and phone number you emailed to me. Please, please, would you send me that information again???

(BTW, I think Dave's better than George...and I REALLY LIKE George!)

emmapeelDallas said...

Tammy, you give me goosebumps with that story (and HOPE).

Beautiful.

Judi

Granny Smith said...

A wedding with such courage and hope should last forever. A beautiful story!

Mary Timme said...

Earlier this month on our 44 1/2 anniversary, I rode in an ambulance to Hospice with my husband on the worst day of our lives. The next I thought he would be gone. Instead he made it through West Nile Virus of the worst sort, especially for someone over 50. He is 79 and pushing 80. The Lord has chosen to let him live and to bring back most of his memory. A good match is indeed made in heaven. I'm so grateful to read your story on my first day back commenting in blogland. May you have many more.

Amber said...

Congratulations. You two look so beautiful... :)

(love the song, btw)

:)

Tammy said...

Tammy - your story is amazing!! I love hearing it! My wedding is coming up and it will be a small affair hopefully much like yours! Near waterfalls not oceans, but wonderful nonetheless! I think I have in Mike what you have in Dave!

trailbee said...

There is nothing like love to make the heart sing. I love this story. Photos are very special. Hugs.

JP/deb said...

What a beautiful story of love and trust. xx, JP/deb

rebecca said...

oh, tammy, you just brought me to tears. this was so tender and lovely...to hear that trust and love resurface again after the heart having gone through so much. you wrote this so beautifully, expressing yourself so openly from the heart. i cannot express how happy i am for you for finally finding the one whom you can share a life with. you looked gorgeous my friend on that wedding day...you both did. and a double rainbow to symbolize the different, beautiful and vibrant colors of the life you two would now share.

much love and hugs to you always,
rebecca

p.s. - i just created another blog The Physical Heart that you might find of interest. Like you, i have my own set of disabilities and it was only through your strength that I found the courage to reveal this part of myself as well. I hope to do good things with it. We'll see in time how it will progress.

Annie Jeffries said...

It was so wonderful to read this, Tammy. Having met Dave, there is no question in my mind that you two were fated. Don't you just love it when God's plan comes together. Love, Annie

bella said...

Oh my.
I loved, loved, loved reading this.
How you write is a story.
How there is such honesty and humor and compassion in your voice.
How you took a change and took a risk and opened to what was coming to you.
Happy love fest. :)

AscenderRisesAbove said...

the double rainbow... double goodness for you. lovely

Lippy said...

I think if I hadn't seen the rainbow in the picture the first time, after reading the story, I'd have been blind not to. This was a nice treat :)