A Nice Surprise

~ beetleypete

Yesterday afternoon, we had been asked to go to a family gathering. Julie has two sons, and identical twin daughters. One of her daughters wanted to celebrate being with her boyfriend for ten years, and had organised a meal in a restaurant in Thetford, 30 miles south of Beetley.

The couple had recently returned from a short holiday in Cyprus, having arranged the family meal before they left. So we set off to see everyone, and joined the large group seated around two extended tables in one section of the restaurant. We took some flowers and a card, as well as Easter gifts for Julie’s chidren and grandchildren. After everyone had ordered food, the couple stood up, and said they had something to tell us. Unveiling a large framed wedding photograph, they announced that they had got married in Cyprus on the 7th of April.

It was a surprise to everyone there, save for the twin sister and best friend who had flown out to Cyprus for two days to attend the wedding. They had also managed to keep everything secret for the five weeks of the planning before, and the period since the wedding too.

Naturally, we were delighted, and it also explained why we had all been asked to celebrate something as relatively ‘minor’ as them being together for ten years.

Later in the year, they are planning to have a more formal wedding reception, somewhere in Norfolk. But they had wanted to save everyone trying to arrange to take time off, and having to deal with the expense of a trip to Cyprus to attend.

Then a large cake was produced, and we all enjoyed a slice.

The biggest surprise for me was that all those involved managed to keep that secret!

75 thoughts on “A Nice Surprise”

  1. That’s so lovely! Best wishes to them ❤

    When my boyfriend EVENTUALLY proposes (😂) I would like to do something similar. I hate being centre of attention and don't have a close family to invite anyway. Just elope………..and then celebrate with your nearest and dearest the best way how – FOOD AND CAKE!

    Hope you're well Pete, and Julie and Ollie too! xxx

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    1. Thanks, Em. I think it was a good way for them to avoid stress and save a lot of money. They are eventually going to have a big party to celebrate, but probably not until next year. Tell your man that he needs to pop the question soon. He wouldn’t want to lose you! 🙂
      (Thanks for boosting my views today too honey.)
      As ever, Pete. XXX

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    1. My wife was happy for them. She realised that they had avoided all the stress of family ‘interference’, and it would have been difficult for everyone to travel to Cyprus. Only the groom’s father appeared to be very disappointed. I don’t understand why parents feel that they have to be involved, my mum was like that. Perhaps it comes from the time when the father of the bride paid for everything? That doesn’t happen so much now.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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    1. That was an even bigger surprise than the wedding, Jeanne. Those girls are not known for keeping anything secret. They even tell us what they have bought us for birthdays and Christmas long before the event. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  10. I’m not a fan of big expensive weddings and getting married in Cyprus is very romantic, but I can’t help wondering whether Julie feels a bit disappointed not to have shared the happy day.

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    1. She didn’t mind at all, Jude. The groom’s father was the only one who seemed a little put out. He didn’t really speak to anyone after the announcement. Julie is mainly emotional about one of her four children actually being married! 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete. x

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  16. Nice surprise indeed! Congratulations! 🎉🎊🎵🎶🍾🥂

    Cheers,

    CT

    P.S. hope this shows up. I’m afraid if I don’t post at least 500 characters, Word Press is suspicious and won’t post my comment. 🤔

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  18. I thought about getting married in a cypress swamp, but instead tied the knot in an 1880’s western town replica that has since been razed (Bonnie Springs, Nevada). The little wooden chapel, however, was salvaged and moved to a location in North Las Vegas.

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