Hope
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James
Hope
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James
DECEMBER 29, 2021 H A R P E R ’ S H O M E S T E A D, S WA N N A N O A , C H R I S T C H U R C H
From James’ Mum Dear James, I closed my eyes for a moment and suddenly a grown man stands where a boy used to be. I may not carr y you now in my arms but I will always carr y you in my hear t. I am so proud of all the things you have achieved-but my proudest moment will always be telling others that you are my son. Have fun today & love you forever… Mum xx
From Hope’s Dad My dearest daughter Hope. The 29th December will now be forever etched in the memor y of all those who love you, especially me, your poppa. The miles will simply not operate the deep and steadfast love I have for both of you. Young ‘Kiwi Jimmy’ is brave beyond reason in taking on the role of your much beloved’ beau’ but I know with no fear of being wrong that you should embrace with full hear ts the fantasy of growing old together as for sure the best is yet to come! Step forward this day and forever hand in hand into your incredible adventure together. With all the love I have for the both of you, Poppa Pugh xox
Our love story James and Hope met 4 years ago under ver y lucky circumstances. James had travelled through Hope’s bumble radius to attend a meeting when a couple of well timed swipe rights resulted in a match. James’ first impression was, that Hope was absolutely gorgeous. James and Hope messaged back and for th ever y day for a month and Hope was struck by the genuine conversation, James was always keen to chat. Hope was eventually satisfied that James wasn’t a weirdo and they agreed on a dinner date. James made the 2.5 hour trip one Friday after work; they ate Italian food, drank Kiwi wine and listened to live music and before they knew it, it was Sunday. From here, James and Hope took turns making the 2.5 hour trip ever y weekend to be together and soon, the ‘weekend girl’ became a more permanent arrangement. Hope also began to learn the definition of a cricket widow. Hope loved that James showed so much interest, that he wanted to spend time doing things together and he was always keen for an adventure. Their relationship grew from strength to strength and after a few shor t months James was confident he wasn’t moving back to New Zealand without Hope. Hope and James love adventures, so it made perfect sense for James to propose during their camper van trip in the Nor th Island. They were on a walk to the Huka Falls when Hope had stopped to admire the flowers. She was joking that if she sur vived the camper van trip with James that she would deser ve a rock, just as James pulled said rock out of his pocket and asked Hope to be his wife. Hope screamed like she was being abducted but once calm, she said YES and here we are making their marriage official. James admires Hope’s work ethic and her passion for making a difference in people’s lives. She is driven, gorgeous and knows how to have fun. James is grateful for Hope’s endless love and suppor t and quite frankly, he thinks she’s absolutely perfect. Similarly, Hope described James as the hardest working person she knows. He is patient, caring and loyal and makes Hope feel safe and loved. She loves that James is strong and solid, yet warm and loving and is a calming presence to return to at the end of the day. We won’t pretend that things are always easy and ignore the hardwork and dedication it has taken to build a loving, trusting relationship full of compromise and putting each other first ever y day. Of course there will be ups and downs and disagreements; Hope is forever playing games with James - she takes his stuff and hides it all around the house. Most of us just call it tidying up. James is too needy for back scratches and he has yet to learn how to arrange the couch cushions when he’s done lounging around. Hope and James are proud of the life they have built together, overcoming challenges, growing and being there for each other ever y step of the way. Leaving the UK and star ting their life together in NZ has been a true highlight and a testament to their relationship - despite the challenges, the love, respect and suppor t for each other made this all possible. There is, of course, so much more to look forward to! More adventures, more memories, more laughter and perhaps a little family of their own. Forever has never looked better!
love is patient 1 CO R I N T H I A N S 1 3 :4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
James’ vows I, James Mark Watson, take you Hope Zaneta Pugh to be my wife. I promise to love, suppor t and respect you. And above all continue to cook so we don’t star ve to death. I promise to be honest, patient and continue to suppor t your happiness as we grow old together. I promise to pretend im interested in crossfit, as long as you promise to pretend you’re interested in cricket. I vow to love all of you. Sleep talking included. You make me the best version of myself, and I promise to suppor t you during your weakest hours and during your shining moments, and always with a smile. I will cherish and love you for as long as we both live.
Hope’s vows I, Hope Zaneta Pugh, take you James Mark Watson, to be my husband. I vow to suppor t and encourage you in the good and hard times. I promise to adventure and laugh beside you through whatever life brings, filling our day with fun and back-scratches. You are my best friend. I love the way you make me laugh, even on the darkest of days. Thank you for suppor ting and accepting all of me. Loving and encouraging me to be the best version of myself. I promise to not yell to much when you leave your clothes on the floor and always encourage your love of cricket. I promise to laugh with you, laugh at you and be laughed at, and make you smile with my crazy ways. I promise to respect you and our differences to be as kind, honest and patient… as I possibly can. Above all, I promise to love you for who you are, and for who you are yet to become. I love you today, I will love you tomorrow and for the rest of our life together.
Bridal party BRIDE Hope Pugh G RO O M James Watson B E ST M A N Michael Davidson G RO O M S M A N Theo Van Woerkom BRIDESMAIDS Cour tenay McCulloch, Abigail Everitt, Ali Marwick MC Andrew Ferguson
James’ speech Welcome family friends &.... Mike Fransham on behalf of my wife and I. This will probably be the only time that my wife will let me talk on behalf of both of us. Thank you to ever yone for coming. It’s an honour to have you all here. A huge shout out to Hopes family overseas who couldn’t make it. Our friends struggling to keep their eyes open in the UK and also our Aussie mates. Regardless of where you are in the world, All of you have made us who we are today. Hope already had the wedding planned before I got down on one knee. I’ve also had a big input on todays wedding, I offered hundreds of suggestions before having them dismissed outright! In all seriousness you’ve done amazing. I want to star t with some thank you’s. Thank you Pheobe & John for producing such a kind, caring and gorgeous daughter and more impor tantly allowing me to marr y her. I was unsure if this would ever eventuate after I was greeted at the door for the first time by John shaking his hand as he glared at me like I had 1 eye saying, “oh you’re normal” then turned to walk inside. How could he have been so wrong! It can’t be easy letting a random New Zealander drag your daughter over the other side of the world to live, let alone marr y her here! We both cherish your suppor t & are looking forward to celebrating with you both at our second wedding in Italy .. thanks John! To my parents Kris and Mark thank you for putting up with me for the past 29 years and shaping who I am today. You’ve sacrificed a lot for me and I’m forever grateful for your love and suppor t. Even though you refused to let me have fizzy drink as a child and gave me a sibling called grubbing thistles. We truly appreciate ever ything you do for us and how tight knit the family still is. Lynda and Grant thank you for your care and wisdom especially towards Hope when she moved to NZ. Thank you for the suppor t you offer us both we are really grateful. Davo: The first time we met the day before high school at cricket trials I was unsure whether to shake your hand or ask for your autograph. The amount of Canterbur y Junior Cricket Association clothing you had on show was quite intimidating for a small kid out of the countr y but it turned out you were alright. There’s been a lot of tick offs over the years and the stories can wait until your big day. Although the question is.. has anyone ever met a bloke who plays electronic Yahtzee after a night out? In all seriousness, thank you for being by my side today as best man. You’re a great mate and the only person I could’ve chosen. To my wife Mrs Watson...How stunning does she look today! It’s amazing to think where we are after a few swipes whilst passing on a train. Yes, Hope and I did meet in the most traditional way in 2017.. on Bumble. I am so proud of ever ything you have achieved and the resilience you’ve shown since moving here from the UK. Especially today with only having Rachel here from your family. It really shows your character as a person and I truly admire that. We have created a special life back over and you have made some amazing friends and taken ever y oppor tunity with both hands. The last thing Hope said to me before jumping on the plane was, what if I don’t make friends and nobody likes me.... say no more! You look absolutely gorgeous today and its an honour to call you my wife. Thank you for marr ying me and making me the proudest man in the world. I’m so lucky to have you by my side. On that note have an awesome night, enjoy each other’s company and I’ll see you on the dance floor!
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