Friday 23 April 2010
Suzie from ItchtoStitch told the lovely story of how she and George met- so I thought I would tell you how MrP and I first met too.
We are going to be pitifully short of photos in this story unless I decide to pinch someone elses...
First a brief history- MrP is my "third time lucky" husband- my first left me after 17 years (and 3 children) for his boss because I had got fat! My second was a huge mistake! An alcoholic who was very controlling- fortunately, I got out fast from that and vowed to forever be on my own- if that was the cost of a relationship, it wasn't worth it and I would much rather be alone and happy...
And so I was- I had a good job, a pretty cottage looking over fields and woods, my kids, my gorgeous grandkids, my dogs, my horse Romeo, great friends, my Pekin bantams and my beloved allotment- life was very full and fabulous! "Who needs a man?" I would say.
The only little reality check to my little life was that a year or so earlier I had a huge heart operation which unfortunately left me with paralysed vocal cords- I could still speak (very quietly) - it was breathing that was the problem, so I had a trachyostomy. I had problems with it from the start- me and the plastic tube in my neck just didn't get along- anyway around this time I had been talking to the surgeon about taking the trachy out and cutting my vocal cords to allow me to breathe- this would mean a deteriation in my voice quality but I was okay with that- operation done I was tube free (hurray!) and the surgeon had made a compromise between voice and breathing- in other words breathing is restricted and talking is quiet and hoarse, but I can do both, sometimes even at the same time!!
I was still recovering from this op when a good friend of mine from work was getting married- "Please come to my hen night- please" I explained that I didn't feel great and that I couldn't get a dog sitter- "Oh Jaz- bring them- we are renting a caravan they will be fine- please come"
So, off I set for the North Yorkshire coast with my dogs and overnight bag. We had a great laugh- eating pizzas and drinking wine and generally being girls. Next day however when we all emerged at almost lunch time, we were all feeling our age and wondering just who had drunk all that wine- Coffee was the order of the day- coffee and toast! We took it in turns making toast and drinks and sitting on the veranda of the caravan in the sunshine.
While I was taking my turn I heard a scream from one of the other girls- I ran out- Saffi had seen a rabbit- cleared the veranda fence and taken off thataway after the rabbit.
The others safely indoors we all set off in search of Saffi- rows upon rows of caravans all looking pretty much the same, she would never find her way back! That awful pit of your stomach sicky feeling came over me and it wasn't hangover (in fact the hangover was completely gone! Not that I recommend losing your dog as a hangover cure you understand...) We spread out asking everyone we saw "Have you seen a black dog with a pink collar?" I could feel hot tears pricking at my eyes by the time I saw a guy sat on his veranda with a beer "Have you seen a black dog with a pink collar?" "Yes it went that way like a streak!- Do you want me to help look for it?"
The guy walked the length and breadth of Filey with me- stopping patiently every few yards for me to catch my breath - then took me in his car to the police station and the golf club house - we walked the golf course, the beach, the nature reserve... the light was fading, the girls had gone home (work in the morning) , the other dogs were in my car, then this guy who I had never set eyes on before that day said "Look I'm going to have to go too- but here are the keys to my caravan stay as long as you need to- here is my phone number- I hope you find her."
I sat in the strangers caravan and sobbed into my other dogs- with first light I phoned the police - no signs of her- I headed home feeling numb and heartbroken. As I walked through the door of my cottage the phone was ringing "Have you lost a dog?" Lucy - the kindest woman in the world- had found her exhausted, collapsed on the nature reserve, taken her home fed her, then taken her into work with her so I could go and pick her up- I never got around to thanking her properly I just managed "you're an angel thank you so much" when I picked Saffi up (so if you know someone called Lucy from Filey, thank her from the bottom of my heart)
Anyway that evening the phone rang- it was the caravan guy (who as you have already guessed turned out to be MrP) We talked for 4 hours (not recommended when you have just had a throat operation by the way) - then he phoned the next night and the next- "Well I'm afraid you will have to see me again I want my caravan keys back..."
It was my birthday that weekend - we had a beautiful weekend with fish and chips on the promenade and talking, lots of talking and laughing and eventually kissing... he took the throat thing in his stride.
4 weeks later I moved in with him (I know, fast mover...) and 18 months later we were married on a white sand beach in Africa (that was a whole 10 weeks ago now!)

I can't stand the word soulmate - but that is what he is- we love every minute we spend together- he dug up half of his immaculate garden so that I could still have my "allotment"- I bought him Riley for his birthday last year and he is learning to ride- we are loving life - together! My only regret is that I didn't meet him sooner so we could have had longer together...

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Hello! I have just popped over to read your story! I have got tears in my eyes, so I can hardly see the screen! What a lovely story, and just makes me belive even more how sometimes we get a helping hand! I could just imagine that awful sick to the stomach feeling about losing your dog, having 3 dogs myself.. so I was already crying about that, and by the end of your tale.. well! So many emotions, and turns in life leading you to Mr. P, isn't life strange and wonderful. That op, and everything since sounds like quite a journey too. Whay have I not 'met' you on here before, I shall follow you, so that I can keep track! Have a lovely weekend! Suzie xxx

Unknown said...

OOoh, spellings! ooops! x

BadPenny said...

I'm siting here silently smiling - how absolutley fantastic ! You are beautiful - what a stunning bride you made. There you go - happy stories do exist

dragonfly said...

Such a wonderful story! Thank you so much for sharing.

Hope you're having a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderfully sweet story ... :0)

Shirl x

BadPenny said...

Hi Mrs P - about the eggs ...I'd asked Sue- our new life in the country - do you know her Blog ? It's fab ! & she was answering & Abby - Mutteringsfromthemoor another fab one emailed me ( they're in my blogroll)

I didn't want my post to be prissy about marriage etc as I've read many stoies on Blogs about second / third time lucky.

Diane said...

2nd time lucky for me - I love a great love story. Beautiful. xxxxxxxx

flwrjane said...

Wow, I've spent 2 days digesting this. Quite a story of love lost and love found. How is your health now? Glad you have found Mr.Right and all dogs are safe and sound. I've had 3 marriages my own self, and have resolved to never marry again, love yes, promise too, no!

Karen Roderick said...

I've just discovered your blog, it's fantastic, look forward to catching up with it, K x

ooglebloops said...

Great story - gorgeous horses!! Any man who would go to all that to help find your dog is a keeper!!! Glad she found her way back home!!!

Tracey said...

Beautiful! A lovely story. xxx

Texan said...

Moving fast... we waited 6 weeks to move into together, tee hee, and we married 1.5 yrs later as well.. that was 26 yrs ago :O)...

Congratulations, many wonderful years to you both!

I found you by way of Going Gently blog, since I have a picture of my feet :O) in cowgirl boots on my blog, I saw your feet photo and thought okay I have to go see LOL...

Your horses are beautiful, I think horses are stunning animals that deserve a lot of respect. I am also scared to death of them. Ya I know I am from Texas, but well I am scared of them.

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