by A Lewis

Created on: May 27, 2008   Last Updated: June 09, 2008

As an Indian Bride, custom prevented me from getting married under my own roof, as I was meant to be leaving my home for that of my new husband - so the next best thing was to be married in a marque in the garden. My father had suffered a massive heart attack and had survived against all odds not only to live out the twelve months of life expectancy he was given as the maximum he would survive without transplant surgery, but five years that I went back home to live with him and my mother. A doctor by profession but originally a Botanist, he set about recreating the whole garden from start to finish, to give me the most wonderful wedding present of all - a garden he had planted that we could see grow and mature over the coming years. It was and is the most touching and sentimental place I know now, especially as my father has since gone blind - but still enjoys the scents of the plants and knows the layout of the garden, hears the water from the fountain and can catch the heady scent of the circle of 'fragrant cloud' roses planted for that special day - nearly ten years ago.

This growing, changing beautiful living gift has been a deep source of comfort and joy over the past years and holds so many memories - poignant ones of my grandparents who attended the wedding and were themselves together for 75years when they died within two months of each other last year; and funny ones that make me smile - like when my fiance saw the state of the 'garden' in progress with only 3 weeks to go until our big day, covered in truckloads of mushroom manure that did not smell or look very pretty!

He was so alarmed that he wanted to book an 'alternative' venue - but I was adamant that I would marry in the garden after my father had defied death, not once but on three occasions after his heart attack, when his heart stopped for two minutes, he had a stroke and a further heart attack that he managed to recover from and always stayed in good spirits - the garden became a testament to his enduring strength and love and good nature; and even if we had to get married in wellington boots - that was the only place I wanted to take my vows.

As things turned out - the design came together perfectly in the end - the rockery and stone steps, the curving lawn, the low box hedge protecting blooming scented roses, two classical statues, a fountain playing and two archways covered in roses and jasmine leading up to a patio with a marquee where we married, with just our parents and grandparents and our best friends present, before a priest and God. I will always remember that day for the setting - the plants, the life-giving breeze and the warmth of the sunshine. It will always be the most special garden in the world to me - a garden planted for me, by a loving father who was given the gift of these extra years to enjoy it too - it was the best present we could have had.

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