Tara and I walked along the path in Central Park. Both of us tired, contemplating a quick nap at our hotel (seriously!). We paused, to watch the skaters in Wollman rink. So beautiful! (So New York!)
The two of us looked around, admiring the sights, Tara explaining the history of a local building in the park. She also pointed out a Broadway actor that was just walking by, hot chocolate in hand. We turned, to head back since it was nearly dark, and we had dinner reservations to make it to later on.
We stopped on the bridge, to take a few photographs of each other. I took a photo of Tara on this bridge, and before she could snap one of me she felt a tap on her shoulder.
A smiley faced woman with a clipboard in her hand asked a favour of us. Would we kindly witness a wedding, and be willing to sign on the documents, seeing as she had asked a couple and they had refused when they learned they were expected to sign something? We looked at each other, and in an instant decided that we would do this. (Despite being bone tired.)
Listening to the service, we heard the tale of these two English (Oxford!) lovebirds, who had met 25 years previously to the day. Wiping a tear, Tara and I exchanged incredulous looks before turning our attention back to the happy couple. All the while snapping away with our cameras, to capture what every newlywed couple wants, memories! A few moments later, they were married. (And Tara and I were indeed WIDE awake!)
A quick signing of the documents by the four of us, and Barbara and Barry were now Mr. and Mrs.
A woman approaches the scene, and states that she is from NASA. She tells us she has witnessed this whole thing and had to stop over to tell us that this particular day is very auspicious. That there is a planetary alignment that is quite favourable. (We couldn't have agreed more!)
"Thank you-whoever you are!" Barry yells after her, as she departs from us. It was like something out of a Frank Capra film, I swear! :)
The newlyweds generously invited us to champagne at the Park Plaza. Tara and I accepted and met them for the first toast of their new lives together. It was an honour. We shared a few laughs, some chocolate covered strawberries, got to know each other a little better, and then as if the clock had struck midnight, a black car was waiting out front to take us to our separate destinations. Barbara and Barry to a romantic dinner, and Tara and I to a fantastic restaurant in SoHo.
This dreamy tale ends with Tara and I supping and drinking more champagne...but that is a story for another day.
P.S. Barbara and Barry if you are reading this, your wedding album is enroute. Congratulations to the both of you!! xo
get out.
seriously.
this
AND Divine Designs!
you made this up,
staged the entire thing....
get out.
:-)
i so love it.
{{ this speaks well
for other weddings in your future,
don't you think? }}
Posted by: Account Deleted | January 16, 2009 at 11:00 PM
SPF
For realsies! It happened!!!
Divine Design airs February 19th at 8pm on W Network. The episode featuring Steven the design assistant. If that changes I'll let you know. Cause you'll want to see my one minute of fame, right? ;)
xo
Yoli
I double posted. I know you commented but for some reason this entry posted twice, I had to delete one. Thanks for commenting shugs! xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 16, 2009 at 11:37 PM
I just want to say, that you two are just beautiful, inside and out.
Posted by: Yoli | January 17, 2009 at 12:54 AM
What a wonderful post. It made me so happy. What a day you had
Posted by: Elisa Day | January 17, 2009 at 05:45 AM
Gillian, just what I needed to read today...thank you!
You have been on my mind lately, for obvious reasons. Much love to you for the helpful comment.
xxoo
Posted by: Graciel @ Evenstar Art | January 17, 2009 at 06:26 AM
Oh you've described it perfectly! It was the most wonderful New York story for your first visit to the Big Apple! That's one of the things I love about New York - you never know what's going to happen next. And sometimes, it's something wonderful, as witnessing Barbara and Barry's wedding! (It is hoped I'll get to see the happy couple in May in Oxford). It was the BEST day and evening; thanks for this wonderful post about a magical city and a magical day. I will link to your post. Miss you! Lots of love, Tara xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | January 17, 2009 at 08:08 AM
Oh, but about the being tired issue - you forgot to say neither of us got much sleep the night before. You were kept awake by New York traffic noises and I from jetlag, getting little sleep, then taking an early morning train to NYC from Philadelphia. :) xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | January 17, 2009 at 08:11 AM
What a MAGICAL MARVELOUS story! One you will retell and revisit for many years. I love the serendipity of the Universe, we never know what's around the corner:)
Cheers, Shelagh
Posted by: Shelagh | January 17, 2009 at 08:19 AM
My Barry and I got married in Las Vegas. For some reason we though it would be easy to find witnesses. We arrived at the marriage commissioner's office and no one was there. Finally we found an elderly lady who made our day even more magical ... I really felt the universe had sent me an angel to be our witness.
Kath
Posted by: soeurs du jour | January 17, 2009 at 10:46 AM
Oh wow, Gillian! What a gift - for the couple and for you and Tara! This post has me smiling today. Thank you. :)
Posted by: susanna's sketchbook | January 17, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Clap ClAp cLaP))) See how rich you are already! What a wonderful and groovy tale of the unexpected! sometimes life is incredibly amazing !
Posted by: pam aries | January 17, 2009 at 01:45 PM
What, wait, what???? Oh my OH MY!!!!!!!!!!! Only in New York, and only to you two!!! marvelous xoxoox
Posted by: A Fanciful Twist | January 17, 2009 at 08:29 PM
wow!!! How awesome.... This truly is somethin out of a movie...you're the best Gill...
Much love, M
Posted by: Maithri | January 18, 2009 at 07:07 AM
Thanks Elisa!!! Oh, I just LOVE your photos of the Ice Hotel.
xoxo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 18, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Thanks Graciel, I hope your mom is doing well. Thank God she has you to speak up for her.
xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 18, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Tara,
Wasn't it magical? I couldn't have had a better first visit to NY. Thank you so much for inviting me to meet you there, the only thing we lacked was more time.
xoxo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 18, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Oh the city that never sleeps!!! I can't believe the level of noise. I was in the Upper West Side too, nowhere near Midtown, and it was still sirens blaring and taxis honking all night long.
Poor you, that jet lag wiped you out! Don't forget ruining your shoulder too!!!
xoxo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 18, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Serendipitous to the max. You are so right.
It was dreamy. I loved that city!
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 18, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Kath, yes...hard to get people to participate in these things. Personally, I consider it an honour.
xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 18, 2009 at 10:52 AM
It was a gift to us...we had almost lost half our day to a nap. Instead we ended up really milking our day for all it was worth.
xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 18, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Pammy, groovy is right. I kept telling Tara that our entire day was like something out of a movie.
Tara even lost her camera at one point, and we found it. Can you believe it?
xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 18, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Yes!! xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 18, 2009 at 10:54 AM
It was. We bought two "magic" Obama flags from a newsstand...and the day was like a fairytale from then on.
xox!
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 18, 2009 at 10:55 AM
You told this beautifully Gill.
Your photos made the day complete for the happy couple I'm sure. I'm waiting to hear you tell about the magic 'Obama' flags next..!
hugs
xxx
Posted by: Sheila | January 18, 2009 at 11:07 AM
oh man! What a fairy tale TALE...every bit of it!
x..x
Posted by: stephanie | January 18, 2009 at 11:43 AM
We nearly didn't buy the flags, they are quite cheesy! But! They had Obama on them and so we figured they would be a corny souvenir. Turns out they work well when one is pointing out Art Deco finishes on buildings, and other features of the city. LOL!
I think perhaps Tara will have a tale about the flags. Of course we love them now, they are far from cheesy to us! xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 18, 2009 at 02:40 PM
The best kind, a fairytale in NY!!!
Oh the tree sellers with each corner piled up with Christmas trees for sale, the skaters, the windows, and my fave, the roasted chestnut peddlers on the side of the road. It all made for a magical Christmas. To think, there was so much to see and do, I didn't even SHOP.
Not kidding.
xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 18, 2009 at 02:43 PM
m a g i c
you were the perfect girls to bless that
marriage:)
:)
Posted by: maddie | January 18, 2009 at 06:52 PM
Aloha Blue, oh gosh, I love a good tale of romance.. I believe you have one brewing for the ages!!
thanks so much for sharing,
peace, Kai xx
Posted by: kai | January 18, 2009 at 07:06 PM
what better word is there?
it was
pure
magic!
magique!
xo
p.s. we have over a foot of snow falling here. you would love to take pictures in it!
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 18, 2009 at 07:58 PM
aloha my Hawaiian Goddess;
Yes, been cooking mine in the cauldron for a while now...got a good scald going.
xo!
Kinda like someone I know...ahem... :)
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 18, 2009 at 07:58 PM
You were there for a reason. A beautiful, romantic reason. : )
I cannot believe you use the word for "realsies"! Me too! I love that! Very cool! : )
xxoo
Hugs to you.
Posted by: Christina | January 18, 2009 at 08:22 PM
Fortune favors the courageous, mon bleux.
Tink!
Posted by: somewherejoe | January 18, 2009 at 08:31 PM
I believe that too, the reason was for us to share in the history of a lovely couple. And they gave us memories in return. A sweet exchange of simple humanity.
xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 18, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Then you my friend, must be a rich man. Tink! Loving and missing you my beach bound friend. I pop in to the beach every now and then, just to hear the waves lapping on the shore.
Was that your iPod, towel and Boggle game I spied? LOL
xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | January 18, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Life is so good.
Posted by: gemma | January 19, 2009 at 08:21 PM
What a beautiful post.
I, too, love colored glass...and other things that radiate light from within. : )
Posted by: Greg | January 20, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Don't you just love it when something happens that you would SWEAR is fiction because it's just too perfect?
What an amazing story!
Your blog has made my day :)
Posted by: rhayne | February 05, 2009 at 01:35 PM
Thanks for all your beautiful and uplifting comments.I'm linking you!
xo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | February 05, 2009 at 05:12 PM
i haven't been here in so long! What a fantastic story.. a fantastic story teller i should say :)
i was smiling the entire time, sitting on the edge of my desk chair reading your description. what a great memory to share with one another, you and tara and B & B.
xo
Posted by: Robin Laws | February 07, 2009 at 11:11 PM
i am living vicariously through you both this week...wishing you more champaign days and nights...hugs, rebecca
Posted by: Cre8Tiva | February 09, 2009 at 05:52 PM
Wow, you really do capture it very well. New York moments are pretty amazing and unpredictable. No surprise the Big Apple gave you such a lovely welcome, at all.
Posted by: Greg | December 02, 2009 at 11:26 PM