2025 has been a year of family weddings which has been a real privilege. Firstly, there was that of my Aunt to her partner in February, she being a cancer survivor. A real celebration followed on the South Coast.

August has seen the wedding of my nephew, George to Amber, in Hertfordshire after 6 years of engagement. Their son was the ringbearer and did an excellent job.

What a privilege these occasions are for families to get together and spend quality time. My husband, Angus and myself were fortunate to spend time with my sister, my neice, partner and children, along with catching up with several old friends we hadn’t seen in some years.

Just before the big occasion we found the church where we were married – 38 years next month – was open and so we went in and took a selfie of ourselves back at the same altar. The same people but a little older and dressed more casually!

The memories flooded in, both good and sad. Good memories of the happy years following, but sadness for those who had shared the day with us all those years ago and are now no longer with us. We pray to be reunited with them again one day. We thank God for marriage and for family and friends, both old and new.