Dear family and friends
I wanted a country wedding. I wanted to get married in a rough and simple ‘klipkerkie’ on a farm, and have a late Tuscan lunch outside at long tables under trees, with family and friends. I wanted buckets of flowers and rice instead of confetti. I wanted matching rings and a flowy dress and flowers in my hair. I wanted to be thinner. I wanted a donkey cart and lots of flower girls.
Every time I started to plan it, I realized that I didn’t have enough time, money and energy to arrange it all, so I kept postponing it. And before I knew it, it was 9 years later…
In the last few months, both Mike and I have been feeling God’s calling to do more of His work. And we have been feeling prompted by Him, to live a life of obedience. We were starting to feel an urgency to get ‘hitched’.
Recently, sick loved ones made me stop focusing on what I cannot have, and see what I DO have - a wonderful, kind, good, loving man, right beside me. After 9 years I know this: he makes me happy. He completes me. I want to be his wife.
And so we decided that we would no longer wait. I would stop worrying about a dress; we would get married in something I already had. I would not waste more time looking for the perfect rings and music and flowers. There would be no stress over whom to invite. No donkey-cart and no honeymoon. I would stand in the local chapel, in front of God and our immediate family, and say YES to marry my best friend.
So here I am. No frills. No fuss. Just love. And commitment. Just US!
Thank you for your support.
Love, Jacki Hayter (finally!)
PS. Dad Ron: I am sorry we didn’t make it in time for you to be here. We miss you. But we know you are here in spirit. And in our hearts.
Romans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God
The English language has 2 small words, which have to convey so much meaning. The little words ‘Thank You’ are almost inadequate to convey the gratitude we feel towards the following people:
Our family: You have watched each of us get married before, and you were there to pick up the pieces when life became difficult. Thank you for all you have meant to us, and all the support you give us. Thank you for being here on a winter’s morning, at such short notice, for our happy day. To my parents, Jan and Lotty, thanks for letting us share your wedding anniversary. We have a lot of catching up to do!
Trevor Hudson: I know I am the first bride ever, and will probably always be the only one, who arranged the entire wedding service with you via Twitter. Thank you for being available at such short notice, and thank you for your ongoing guidance.
Hayley Malherbe: My dear friend, who took time off from her work to take the photos. Thank you for everything, and thank you especially for making me believe that a stripped-down, low-budget, short-notice wedding can also be special.
Thank you so much!
Mike and Jacki
3 July 2012