A Dream Come True

Therese and Alex

A Tale of Love….

I had a dream man in my mind: he should accept me for who I am, respect me and love me lots. He should be intelligent …and challenge my mind [in order to] make me grow as a person. He should have a great sense of humour and bring many laughs into my life! He should be successful and joyful in life! In June 2006, you called me and asked if I wanted to work for you, I went down to Copenhagen and I found my dream man….”

These were the first few words of the vows that Therese wrote to honour her commitment in marriage to Alex.

It seemed that Fate played its hand in the wedding destination for this couple. Word of mouth from friends, and endless internet searches kept pointing the couple to Tobago . When Therese spoke to Pia at Afro Caribbean Travel in Sweden, she knew that Tobago was it! Tobago Weddings began the planning.

When I first met Therese and Alex at Kariwak Village, the day after they arrived on the island, they came appeared to be a very dynamic and successful couple who seemed to be experiencing some stress. With busy work lives, a tiring journey and an early morning start, I knew I’d need Tobago to work its magic and let them gradually acclimate to the Tobago pace. We chatted about the wedding details and looked at a few possible locations for their wedding. They are an intriguing couple – Therese is Swedish, Alex is Dutch and, as neither speak the other’s language, communicate in English… lucky for me!

Later in the trip, as we sat to go over the legal work, I could sense a difference in the couple: their shoulders had relaxed, wristwatches removed, and island life had taken hold.

By the day of the wedding, although nerves were evident, it was an excited, tanned and exuberant Therese who arrived to meet her fiancé at the wedding location. She looked absolutely stunning in her elegant, ivory beaded dress. Alex was overcome with love as she walked towards him.

Smiles soon took the place of nerves. As the steel pan musician played the “Wedding March”, Alex and Therese joined hands and stood by the side of Brent Hart, the Pastor performing the ceremony. Brent always meets the couples before the wedding and tailors his words to create the intimacy for their ceremony. His words centred on new beginnings. As the wedding took place on the eighth of February, Brent described that the number ‘8‘ actually indicates new beginnings. It seemed so fitting for the start of this couple’s new life together.

As Therese made her vows to Alex, we all cried. Then Alex turned to Therese, his vows cemented this perfect union:

By the Fort in Tobago

One and a half years ago you walked into my life, today exactly, you walked into my life. Like a little ray of sunshine breaking through a cloudy sky.

Every since that day the sun has shone brightly in my life.

And every day I wake up next to you. I look at you. Just lying next to me, or getting dressed. Waking me up. And I feel like the luckiest man in the world. And the sun shines a little brighter.

Loving you is so easy. So much fun. Every time I put a smile on your face, it’s like I give myself a small little birthday present. And that makes the sun shine a little brighter yet.

And every misunderstanding we have, that through our open communication with each other, flows into understanding each other better. Growing our love. That makes the sun shine a little brighter yet again.

And today the sun shines brightest yet. As I stand here with you, and have the privilege to you to commit to you:

That I will listen to you, to all your wishes and desires.

That I will communicate clearly to you, all my wishes and desires.

That we will grow, evolve, as we go through life together.

That I will support you in every decision you make, big and small.

That I will spoil you, every day, like the little princess of my heart that you are.

And that I will make all your fantasies come true.

And I hope, by that, I can make your sun shine a little brighter.

These words, this wedding and this couple resonated soundly in the hearts and minds of all who witnessed this incredible union. For some – our pan player, photographer and friends, it was the first time they had met the couple who would now always be remembered with great fondness.

Therese and Alex van der Kruit married on 8th February 2008.

The wedding was organized by Marie Dilworth, Tobago Weddings.

Therese and Alex van der Kruit married on 8th February 2008.

The wedding was organized by Marie Dilworth, Tobago Weddings.

(As seen in the Isle Do Bride Guide, 2008)

By: www.tobagoweddings.com