Father in Law

It has been a great week! First was young Michael and then on Saturday last, 15th July 2017, the wedding of my eldest son Alex to his beautiful Catherine.

Actually it has also been a party week as friends and relatives from all over came into Bermuda to help the celebrations which began on Wednesday last and ended only on Monday. I could not do this every week!

Looking through the lens of a parent, it is often difficult to differentiate the young man who, say, smeared dollops of vaseline into the carpet with a friend at age 2, lost one of his school shoes walking down some stairs (just one though) and so on with the handsome, articulate young man who effortlessly went through each of the events that constituted the full wedding. I know it's a parent's legacy to see things differently as we have known every step he ever took up until now -- which is why we remember him that way -- but to also know that we will most likely not be a major part of his future. That is something he will build with Cat.

That is entirely as it should be but it does leave you with a lingering sadness knowing that one of the happiest days of one's life is also the start of something else as well.

Mind you he did choose well with Cat -- or is it the other way around? Difficult to know these days of gender equality. Whatever, it turned out well. Cat is a planner and just loves spreadsheets. I hadn't realised just how much until Viv and I went with them both and Cat's parents to Japan when Cat produced a remarkable series of spreadsheets containing practical travel details as well as a daily itinerary for the near 3 weeks that we were in Japan... ahead of time. A phenomenal enterprise, but one that was dwarfed by the planning that went into the wedding.

On the day, the sun shone on the beach where it was held. The sea was calm for the boat trip to the island. And the evening was calm and starry when we made it to the island where the reception, dancing and general partying took place.

Cat and Alex won't be going off on their honeymoon until September so they got to enjoy each night of party as well. Not a bad idea actually!

Thanks and good luck to you both!

Love Dad

XXX