Cupid Shoots His Arrow Twice | Helena Couture Designs

Melinda Needed A Tradie, But Little Did She Know, She Would Find Love Too.

Through Melinda’s Eyes

How did you first meet?

We’ve talked a lot about our story and where it all began for us. We are both believers in things happen for a reason, and we are testament to this.  When we met, it was a time where big decisions and changes had been made in our lives, and when we weren’t looking for love. Its as the cliché goes, when you stop looking for love, it finds you.

I was living in Auckland, New Zealand, and my landlord had arranged for some electrical work to be done. I’d popped home from work to meet with Electrician, and what I didn’t realise at the time, was that I opened the door to the love of my life, my sexy tradie, tool belt and his little red van.  Don’t get me wrong, there was no steamy movie scene, it was not love at first sight for either of us, but we did hit it off and enjoy some laughs and banter, and that was that, end of story, well so I thought.

It was some weeks later that I was out with friends, and I found myself standing next to a guy who looked familiar but it took a while for me to remember from where. Then it clicked, it was my sexy tradie in the flesh.  Clearly my good looks and dance moves were too good to refuse. Fast forward seven years and here we are. The years have passed by so quickly, and with every single day, he still gives me butterflies.

When did you first fall in love?

When I deleted my online dating profile!!  I fell quickly for Al, he is so unlike anyone else. He excites me, challenges me, calls me out on my bullshit, and makes me so happy. We just have an amazing connection, we want for the same things, have the same goals and wants out of life.  It was like I was alive for the first time in my life.

It was only after I’d already fallen in love with him that I discovered that he wasn’t really thirty eight.  Seems Al has he ability to always look younger that he actually is, and younger than me. He loves it when people tell him that, just ask him.

What are five things you love about your partner?

His thirty eight year old good looks.
Dance moves, we’ve spent so many nights over the years dancing till my feet hurt.
He makes me feel so loved, so in love, so beautiful, the looks, the smiles, the winks when know one is watching.
We share the same dreams, and work hard together in living these dreams
How we hold hands every night till we fall asleep.

Why did you decide to have a marriage ceremony? Do you have an interesting proposal story?

Neither of us wanted to get married again, we’d talked about it in the past and were happy as we were.  I don’t really know when this changed. We started talking about it, I started looking at the rings in the catalogues in the mail, and I guess it went from there, to buying an engagement ring together in a store one day. After we bought the ring, Al said he knew when he wanted to propose, and it was going to be the perfect moment.  I used to sneakily try the ring on at least once a week, and quietly put it back. When we went away anywhere, I’d make sure Al had packed it, just in case he found himself in that perfect moment he’d talked about.

And he did.

We went to Bombala, my home town for my Grandmothers birthday, it was Australia Day long weekend, so we decided to stay in Bombala for a couple of nights. Al hadn’t been back to Bombala since Dad’s funeral. It was such a beautiful weekend of reminiscing.  We stayed at my Uncle and Auntie’s home, that has been lovingly turned into an Air BnB, by my cousins Penny and Rachel.  I’d spent so many days and nights at this house growing up, it held such strong memories, and I felt surrounded with love, the minute we walked into the house, the wall we’d all sat in front of for family photos, the vanity mirror my brother Trent had restored with Uncle Bryan, everything held such wonderful memories.

We went up to the cemetery to spend time with Dad. As we were leaving Al wanted to just stay there a bit longer on his own, didn’t say why, so Jurelle and I headed back to the car.  The next morning, was the day we were heading home. We were just laying in bed talking about getting up and organised. Al rolled over and before I knew what was going on, he had the ring in his hands, was saying the most beautiful things, and asked me to marry him. He told me how he had asked Dad for his blessing when we were at the cemetery, and this is just a testament to the wonderful man Al is. He knew it meant so much.

What challenges have you overcome together? What adventures have you been through?

What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

I’m about to marry the man I never thought would find me, and we have already had the most wonderful life together and have a million more things we want to do together. I hope for longevity, health and happiness not only for us, but for all our friends and family. And to still find each other’s hands every night.

Candle Ceremony

Melinda and Alan lit a candle in memory of Melinda’s father Neil, Alan’s mother Ruki and his brothers Terry and Turi. This candle represents the memories and love for those who we have lost, who are in our hearts and minds. We miss them today more than ever.
Alan and Melinda selected a song for Nyssa to play for this moment, and ask that everyone pause in memory as they lit the candle.

Celebrant Authority

We have thousands of important moments in our lives, but this one is regarded as so special we acknowledge its status by sharing it with others.

But what is different about this moment?

It is different because despite all our differences love is what we all share. No matter who we are or where we come from, we know this one thing. Love is what we are doing right.

We have all loved in our lifetime, and in this moment, were reminded that the ability to love is the very best part of our humanity. All of us here have our own love stories. Some are short, others long. Some are yet to be written while others are just getting to the best part. I hope you are ready for your best part to begin, let’s get your stories most exciting chapter started and get this ceremony under way.

Alan’s Vows  

I ask everyone here, to witness that I, Alan, take you Melinda, to be my lawful wedded wife.

Today I give myself to you in marriage. Mel, I promise to love you each and every day. You are happy, funny, adventurous, strong and you make me smile.

You love your family and friends as much as I do mine. You are my best friend and I am so happy you feel the same.

I am so unbelievably proud of you, and I promise that I will make you proud as your husband.

I vow to listen, object, laugh and cry with you. I will always put you first and give you my absolute best for the rest of my days.

I am so lucky that you are mine and I will love you forever. I cannot wait to start the next part of our journey together.

Melinda’s Vows 

I ask everyone here, to witness that I, Melinda, take you Alan, to be my lawful wedded husband.

Alan, my Jewell. You and you alone make me feel that I am alive. From the moment you walked into my life, I haven’t been able to take my eyes off you.

You are the most sincere, selfless and genuine partner, a man that I never imagined would choose me.

You’ve put me up on a pedestal and make me feel strong and beautiful and like no one else ever has. You never falter, never hesitate and never let me down.

You thrive on my work stories, love getting in among the gossip so you can share my jokes or frustration, you tell me what I should do if I have a problem at work. You’ve supported my career from day 1, doing whatever it takes for it to work, and I thank you for that – I know it’s not always easy.

I love how you calmly keep driving, even with my ridiculous back seat driving, looking straight ahead, not saying a word. Your family are the most beautiful people, who’ve taken me in with open arms. You have allowed me to see a different perspective of what family is, and way of thinking and I love being a part of it and I thank you for sharing them with me.

Here is my promise to you:

I promise to make you laugh every day. To continue to support you, your family, our sons, whatever is needed, always. 

I promise I’ll continue to share my food with you, even when you say you’re not hungry and shouldn’t.  I promise to keep dropping you off at the club on Saturday afternoons to drink with John and the boys. Even though the league finishes tomorrow, apparently the rugby is just starting.

But above all else, I promise to be your wife in all that it implies, from now and for always.

Melinda’s review for Helena Couture Designs