As most people will be aware James and I were married on Friday 20th of June in a private ceremony at our Island, we were joined by our closest friends both RL and SL.I can honestly say it was the happiest day of my Secondlife (I can't say both lives as that was the day we met for real) but without certain people it would never have been the day it was and we would like to make special mention of a few people here:
Trinity Dechou, Trin is a my SL sis, many use that expression and usually I hate it but with Trin it means we think alike, we understand each other and we can talk about anything both SL and RL. She organised the hen night - with help from Pup witherspoon and Carter (plus the guys from JM models) and of course DJ Tangletwigs. For most SL weddings that's all that would have been done but of course Trin went further she organised the bridesmaids and made the day go like ,all the mechanics at the ceremony were down to Trins fantastic sense of timing and perfection.
I honestly would not have got down the aisle without her help. She was by my side through the whole
organisation and preparation for the wedding and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!Carter Giacobini - its pretty true to say Carter was instrumental in James and I realising our feelings for each other and we could think of no-one more apt to officiate over our wedding. Carter was definitely up to the challenge and went over and above to help James through the process, sorting out suits and vows and speeches and making sure James' English would pass muster (lol) and as already mentioned he went to huge lengths to make my Hen night one I will not forget in a hurry (pity I never got Boots' full name) Thank you Hun.
Dixie Barbosa - here I can do no better than use Dixie's own words:
'In a healthy relationship, we accept that each of us has unique thoughts, feelings, interests and viewpoints. We don't feel threatened by differences, because we trust, respect and honour each other. Our relationship doesn't depend on giving up ourselves.
We may share many activities, interests and beliefs. We may agree on many issues and decisions. But we are also free to disagree, to pursue separate interests, and to keep growing and changing in unique ways. Our personal growth contributes to the deepening and strengthening of the relationship.
Joining together is a beautiful human experience when it is shared by two whole people, complete in themselves. The space between is not a pit of lions, ready to devour us. It is a free-flowing river, over which we can build a bridge of trust, respect and love.
I have known both James and Dana for almost all of my Second Life, and I have had the honour and pleasure of meeting both in real life as well. It was actually during a weekend when they met for the first time, when they actually could look into each others eyes for real, for the first time. And there is one thing that struck me most when I saw them together, and that's the overwhelming love they feel for each other. They make a perfect team together and I think they have the perfect basis here to live a complete and very happy life together.
The road to happiness is not always a smooth one, and that definitely goes for these wonderful people. Both have their own lives and their own troubles. But I also know, trust and rely on the fact that they will resolve them, where possible together. Deep in my heart I know that at some point in time they will be together and enjoy a great life together.
When I talked to James a while ago, he described his Second Life relationship with Dana not as a virtual one. He said that it's not just a virtual thing, it's real love. The funny thing is that when I talked to Dana not long after that, she said exactly the same thing. Whether or not they have talked about this amongst themselves, or they both came to this conclusion individually, this was just an extra confirmation that they really mean it.
Even though there is a body of water dividing them that can be very stormy sometimes, Second Life to them is an outlet and a bridge, a way for them to be together. It's also a way for them to communicate.
I personally have a great deal of respect for both of them individually, but also as them as a couple. Today's ceremony confirmed that and I am very proud and moved to have witnessed this. Dana, James, I wish you a very happy life together. Keep up the good work, and even when things look grim, go back into your memories to that first weekend and remember how you felt then. Always be open and honest to each other. '
Thank you Dixie from both of us.
Breezes Babbi, Glitter and Aimee Trescothick - the rest of the family so to speak, Mommy everyone knows and they should by now know that without her in SL life would be very boring indeed and I was so happy that you and your RL daughter my Sis could join us on our special day - Aimee, has always been a quiet person but always there right through my secondlife and it was fitting she should also be there on the happiest day of it.
Intlibber brautigan was the name that came to my head as soon as i started thinking 'who would walk me down the aisle?' Most know that Caprona is within the BNT estate and also our head office and we have had a long business relationship with Int, but more than that it is a mutual respect. He has taught me a lot and I have the highest regard for his integrity - I could think of no-one more appropriate to have the honour of giving me away.
More Thank yous have to go to those that made things for the day and also went to a lot of trouble to fulfil requests that may have seemed
extreme at the time :)Chrissy Ambrose owner of Virtual Impressions shoes, she not only made my shoes with the fabric I provided, to perfectly match my dress, but went out of her way to tweak them when i changed the bridesmaids dresses. The shoes were perfection especially after trying about 100 pairs to find some to match - Thank you.
My Tiara came from Caliber, I must admit I had several tiaras but none seemed to fit as nicely as Nyres even then I couldn't decide between three different ones :) I am lucky she has so much choice.
James and Dixies suits were bought from Styles of Edo (who else would james go to for such a special occasion) Thank you Edo for the extra mile you went as always you created a wonderful design.
Also a special mention has to go to EmpressNever Rejected for the fantastic custom made flowers, she not only made my bouquet and the bridesmaids but buttonholes for the groom and bestman but manage to fulfil my last minute request for buttonholes for every wedding guest, white for the gents and maroon for the ladies. I can't say how impressed I was by her polite manner and quick service, especially at short notice and for someone on the opposite time zone to myself. She was just wonderful if you would like to see what she does go and visit her shop HERE.
Jean Munro I have to say is one the best singers in SL singing anything from Jazz to country and not only did she sing our theme song which is not on her normal playlist but she also continued to sing when our DJ let us down at the last minute. To hear Jean sing you can check out her Facebook.
We have a lot of friends in Secondlife, some have become real friends outside too, there is no way to measure what those friendships mean, there is no way to express our gratitude to those who we call real friends, whether in SL or out, they are there for both of us in good times and in bad. This was one of the best times and it means a lot that those friends were there to share it with us.
Thank you all
JamesT and Dana
