In January 2008, I was introduced to Jan O'Connell from Sydney and enjoyed a new friendship, sharing a number of similar interest, but not expecting anything else.
Early in 2008, I began rediscovering our beautiful island of Tasmania in company of Jan and other friends from Sydney. I had not fully explored the north-east that includes the Bay of Fires - now an internationally recognised destination. The area is beautiful! About the same time, I revisited Bruny Island, also with Jan, and was knocked out by the outstanding beauty of this island (see previous chapters). We included a boat trip further south, enjoying the marine life of seals, albatross, dolphins, gannets, marlin plus the outstanding coastline, all in perfect weather.
Since then, we have enjoyed King Island (never been there before), Waratah, Wynyard, Cockle Creek and the Pieman River - all covered in previous blog chapters. The last of these destinations was the most moving of all my experiences this year. It is awesome!
It was at the Pieman that the realisation came to me that I could share a new and exciting chapter of my life with Jan by my side enjoying new love and companionship for whatever time God allows us. The rest is history!
And here we are! I won't bore you with the hectic events of the months from November to March, but believe me, selling houses/buying a house/consolidating and shifting two households into one, was exhausting! Our Wedding Day, Saturday 13 March 2010, was a lovely, sunny day, with a lot of promise for two very happy people.
The wedding was a quiet affair with Jan's brothers (Peter & Barry) and their wives (Narelle & Vickie) coming over from NSW. Most of my large family were present with the exception of Georgie who was in UK, Jess who was in Fiji, and the three grandchildren from Kiama with whom we caught up a week later. Mark just managed to get in on time from USA. Natasha & KaLoon made it all the way from USA. Cal, Sarah & Allie, James & Nigel made it from Adelaide. Vicki & Philip from Kiama. Amy & Richard from Melbourne. My cup was truly full and running over. Our friends Jim & Trish made it from Canberra with Fred & Gillian from Sydney. How we would have loved all our friends to share the occasion, but logistics did not make that possible.
The wedding and reception was at the new Providore in Sorell. Our Chef was Marlene who is truly a wonderful cook and we very much enjoyed her culinary creations.
Many have asked for photos and we apologise for our tardiness for not getting these to you. So let me give you a bit of a photographic summary. Special thanks to Jim & Natasha who kindly provided us with all the photos.
Quite different to our first walk down the aisle, we decided to check into our hotel (Wrest Point) before the wedding and leave from there direct to the wedding venue. Jim & Trish most kindly drove to Wrest Point to pick us up. It was a delightfully relaxing start that included having drinks along the waterfront with Jim & Trish.
Ready for the big occasion! 
Above: Leaving Wrest Point, hopefully looking the part. Below: Good to be driven in relaxed company.
At the wedding venue where we were welcomed by our 'wedding entourage', made up of Luke, Ellie & Joe.
With Ellie.
Bring it on! We are ready!
Brother Hank was our Celebrant. It was his first wedding as a Wedding Celebrant. It is something he would like to do more of when he retires (who knows when that will be!). So, it was also a big occasion for him. As is typical, he was thoroughly prepared though perhaps a little nervous - understandably so. We were delighted that Hank, who has been a wonderful encouragement and support to us both, was able to officiate.
Hank in charge and doing it well.I was very happy that all my family along with Jan's two brothers were able contribute to the ceremony as well as in other ways. As a family, it brought us close together and was a strong voice of support and love.
Daughter Ann, above, read from the Scriptures, and Vicki, below commended us to God, praying for His blessing on our lives together.
Then Jan was asked to do her bit. She turned to Hank and with a twinkle in her eyes asked him, "Can't I just say ditto?" Now I ask you, how should a Wedding Celebrant - especially at his first ceremony, respond to that? 
With that exchange, whatever nerves or tension there may have been, disappeared into thin air! All went smoothly, including the exchange of the wedding rings, though we were just a little concerned at Ring Bearer Joe who found it hard not to fiddle with the precious band.
Jan is all for keeping an eye on that ring. The kids loved their involvement and doesn't Joe look the part with those pants of his. What a character!
But, the ring was safely delivered to Grandpa to place it on Jan's finger.
Jan placing Siebrand's ring on his finger.
After those formalities, Celebrant Hank gave us permission (as though I needed one) to embrace my bride, obviously much to his pleasure and sanction.
That just left the signing of the Register:
It was with considerable happiness that brother Hank handed us our Certificate and proudly presented us as
"Mr Siebrand Petrusma & Mrs Jeanette Elizabeth Petrusma-Delacour!"
We did it!!!
Just a few shots of ourselves:
And with the Delacour contingent:
And these beautiful people are all part of the family:
Daughters Brenda & Ann
Daughter Vicki with Philip
Mark looks chirpy after flying in from USA
Tim
Daughter Heather with Brent
Sister Iemke from Brisbane with Brenda
Brother Henk & Gail
Brother Dirk & Beth
Trish with Jan
Fred & Gillian
Heather on the other hand wrote her own song and composed the music for it. This was special and expressed her love and deep feelings. Thanks Heather! 
Speeches were left to a minimum and I very much appreciated Jan's brother Barry, welcoming me into the Delacour family. Love this guy's humour. He ought to do some comedy writing!
Daughter Brenda welcomed Jan into the Petrusma Clan, and did it well with illustrations that were both humourous and serious. Both Jan and I feel very accepted in our extended family and appreciate expressions of loving support.
The final words came from both of us as we acknowledged our past, our new-found love and happiness, and the generosity of our families and many friends.
Our lovely Wedding Cake was made and decorated by Mark's creative wife Cal, who brought it with her as carry on luggage from Adelaide. Many thanks Cal. We know you will create many more of these as your cake business expands and people enjoy your excellent work.
To be surrounded by many of my grandchildren made the day all the more special. Here they are (well, at least some of them, with others mentioned earlier):
Sarah & James from Adelaide
Joe & Ellie from Hobart
Karina & Gemma from Hobart
Andrew from Devonport & Nigel from Adelaide 
Kathryn & Thomas from Hobart
With that exchange, whatever nerves or tension there may have been, disappeared into thin air! All went smoothly, including the exchange of the wedding rings, though we were just a little concerned at Ring Bearer Joe who found it hard not to fiddle with the precious band.
Jan is all for keeping an eye on that ring. The kids loved their involvement and doesn't Joe look the part with those pants of his. What a character!But, the ring was safely delivered to Grandpa to place it on Jan's finger.
Jan placing Siebrand's ring on his finger.After those formalities, Celebrant Hank gave us permission (as though I needed one) to embrace my bride, obviously much to his pleasure and sanction.
That just left the signing of the Register:
It was with considerable happiness that brother Hank handed us our Certificate and proudly presented us as"Mr Siebrand Petrusma & Mrs Jeanette Elizabeth Petrusma-Delacour!"
We did it!!!Just a few shots of ourselves:And with the Delacour contingent:
And these beautiful people are all part of the family:Daughters Brenda & AnnDaughter Vicki with PhilipMark looks chirpy after flying in from USATimDaughter Heather with BrentSister Iemke from Brisbane with BrendaBrother Henk & GailBrother Dirk & BethTrish with JanFred & GillianEntertainment was organised by Graeme, who always excels in organising something different, including a segment 'How well do you know Siebrand & Jan?'
Gillian thought long and hard over this question, while other questions delighted Jan & the family at my expense (of course!).
Oh no! Not another one! Obviously the above pic captured another dig at the groom! All of course enjoyed by the attentive audience:
Natasha, accompanied by her sister Amy sang a favourite 'As Time Goes By'. I miss her voice.
Gillian thought long and hard over this question, while other questions delighted Jan & the family at my expense (of course!).
Oh no! Not another one! Obviously the above pic captured another dig at the groom! All of course enjoyed by the attentive audience:
Natasha, accompanied by her sister Amy sang a favourite 'As Time Goes By'. I miss her voice.
Heather on the other hand wrote her own song and composed the music for it. This was special and expressed her love and deep feelings. Thanks Heather! 
Speeches were left to a minimum and I very much appreciated Jan's brother Barry, welcoming me into the Delacour family. Love this guy's humour. He ought to do some comedy writing!
Daughter Brenda welcomed Jan into the Petrusma Clan, and did it well with illustrations that were both humourous and serious. Both Jan and I feel very accepted in our extended family and appreciate expressions of loving support.
The final words came from both of us as we acknowledged our past, our new-found love and happiness, and the generosity of our families and many friends.
Our lovely Wedding Cake was made and decorated by Mark's creative wife Cal, who brought it with her as carry on luggage from Adelaide. Many thanks Cal. We know you will create many more of these as your cake business expands and people enjoy your excellent work.
To be surrounded by many of my grandchildren made the day all the more special. Here they are (well, at least some of them, with others mentioned earlier):Sarah & James from AdelaideJoe & Ellie from HobartKarina & Gemma from HobartAndrew from Devonport & Nigel from AdelaideWell, there we have it. Time flies and we have been married almost three months, busy settling into our new routines, enjoying our companionship, looking forward to quality time with family and friends, plus lots of travel. Our Tranmere home is a haven of beauty and peace, with the Derwent River just in front of us. The next blog chapter will probably be about our Tranmere abode.
2 comments:
Thank you for the story sorry we weren't there to share it in person but at least we have the treasured memory of being the one's who introduced you. We wish you all the very best and may our loving Lord greatly enrich your lives together. See you in July let us know the dates you will be up here. Love Heather & Geoff
Keep some time for us!!!!!!
We watched the romance grow and watched Jan fall in love from the house next door. We guessed that it would not be long before her house would be up for sale and that she longed to be in Tasmania with her Siebrand. We hope you enjoy many happy years together. Love always.
Geraldine & Vince xx
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