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I first met Ashwin on a Saturday morning matric on our way to physics tutoring session. While we were waiting for the tutor, together with the rest of the class, we got talking and making jokes.
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It was the first time I paid him any attention in two years of being in the same class together. As the weeks went by, we saw each other at school more often than before. We became friendly with each other and often shared glances and homework.
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On a sunny Friday afternoon, May 28, 2004, after writing the best physics test ever, he offered to walk me home. We walked and talked, until we reached my house and somewhere in the conversation, he said something that sounded like he was asking me to be his girlfriend. I said YES!
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On our 6 year dating anniversary, 28 May 2010, the day started with me going to the salon for mani and pedi. I was told we have a big date ahead the evening, but the details were unknown to me. While at the salon, a stranger appears with a bouquet of 6 roses with a note: “This is just the first of many surprises”.
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In the afternoon we had a “day date” and later that evening, he picks me up and we are chauffeur driven to a secret destination. As we approach the destination, I realize where we are and immediately started crying!
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So we arrive at THE SPIER and our chauffeur calls for the manager. The manager then proceeds to takes us to our private table in the reserved patio area, and leading us to our table, is a trail of rose petals with two hearts made of candles intertwined (which I was later told represents the two of us coming together) at the end of the trail.
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At this point, my make up already started running and I looked like a mess.
After a delicious supper, the waitress brings over a plate with a silver lid, saying “THIS IS ESPECIALLY FOR YOU” and me, already completely deurmekaar by the previous events, thought that it was a special dessert. When I lifted the lid, there is a note that read: WILL YOU MARRY ME?
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When I eventually stopped crying, I opened my eyes, and there he is, on his knees with a ring in hand. Needless to say, I said YES and we got married on the 15 October 2011 at Picardie Guest Farm in Paarl.
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The wedding planning process was fairly painless as I knew what I wanted. Soon after getting engaged, we attended a bridal expo at our local shopping center.
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At the time, I didn’t realize how helpful it would be. After careful (financial) consideration, we ended up choosing our venue, photographer and dressmaker from that expo.
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The photographer in turn introduced us to the videographer. Ashwin was very involved in the big decisions like venue etc, but all the little things, like types of flowers, he left to me.
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I basically planned the whole thing myself because I am very fussy and since I knew what I wanted, it would just be easier to do things myself. We opted to go DIY with all stationery, roping in our sisters to help.
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Getting my dress done in time was a nightmare! I went for the first fitting two weeks prior and only received my dress the night before the wedding, after waiting in her office for three hours! But it turned out lovely.
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The mother of an old from high school made the cake and Ashwin’s uncle had a friend who DJs for weddings in his free time, so we saved big time on those things.
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And thanks to my brilliant planning and excellent help, the day turned out perfectly, except when the ring fell in the pond. Luckily, the ring had just fallen onto a rock and we were able to retrieve it after the ceremony.
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