My Princess..

My little Princess..

Yes this is my baby girl Amanda on her wedding day 12th February 2011. - In light of the recent Royal wedding I was reminded how slack I've been in not posting to here the speech I had prepared and delivered to her and her husband Nathan at their wedding, as I had promised I would.

Being so nervous I had intended for my 'Mother of the Bride speech' to be of course heartfelt, but brief. Mayhaps I should've ran through it a couple of times before the big day, but, well at least it was straight from the heart.

After thanking everyone involved in helping to make the day so incredibly special including the gorgeous Bridesmaids Leah, Megs and Fiona, and the Groomsmen Matt, Sonny and Michael I was pleased to see so many warmly celebrating together this occassion. My youngest son Michael came with me to the podium for support, knowing how nervous I was, or mayhaps he was there to ensure I didn't escape, lol. ->

Always dressing up in fancy clothes, wanting her hair this way or that, posing in front of the camera, and singing and dancing till she dropped. Stylishly strutting her way up and down the catwalk, and being the Princess in the family was simply natural for her. Her personality was, well, in one word .. exhausting. She was a huge ball of energy that was impossible to keep up with.

- You could be forgiven for thinking that I was describing little Chelsea, however, the similarities are just crazy. I often have to stop myself calling Chelsea Mandy all the time.

- She was always one extreme or the other growing up. When not playing the princess she was more than happy to muck it out with the boys too. Especially when her Dad would often take Tony fishing, and she, being Daddy's little girl, knew just how to wrap him around her little finger to get invited along too and he never could resist that cute little expectant sparkle in her eyes.

- She loved to slather on the sunscreen and have Dad paste zinc on her little face and nose. Memories of one occassion, of them all perched on the Burleigh Walkway Bridge, Tony aged about 6, Mandy 4, - her cap pulled down, arms crossed and her white zinc lips pouting, after losing the usual argument when she wanted to put the bait on the hook like the boys did and not being allowed to. - Her cheeky brother sniggering at her and calling out to Dad that he had another bite, every few minutes, thinking he'd landed a big one every time. All she wanted to do was catch a bigger fish than him and it was frustrating her terribly. - She did catch a few, however, most not much bigger than her bait.

- She and Tony were always close, even through the normal sibling rivalries, and were brought even closer in many ways when their baby brother Michael arrived. Michael grew fast and soon worked out how to play them both when he wanted to, and it amused him to no end to get them at each others throats when it suited him. Ah kids..

- Always passionate with everything she tried her hand at, from her modelling, (winning too many titles to recount just now), from Miss Tweed Heads, to Spring Garden Princess, Cowboy Queen to Warwick Showgirl. Not to mention the constant fundraising for various charities over the years, she was also a Warwick Youth Ambassador. From her schoolwork to her music, (yes she plays the Sax), and to her various jobs, often working two jobs at a time, she's always been an active, somewhat hectic, yet very responsible young lady, always giving 100%, but with her energy she thrived on it all. - All of these things and much more have helped to shape the strong young woman she's become and one that her Dad without doubt would be so incredibly proud of. Though he sadly isn't with us today, he is certainly right here..<3

- Being such a beautiful young lady she was never short of admirers, though she never really made time for anyone in her busy life, until of course Chelsea came along. The moment that sweet little cherub arrived her life completely changed, as did her priorities. Being a single mum was tough, but she'd grown strong from so many more events in her life; and true to her passionate nature she gave her everything to nurture and provide for her the best that she could. With her familys support she was so content, just the two of them, as if they were taking on the world together and there was just no room for anybody else.

- I always knew it would take a special kind of man to ever see Mandy let down her guard long enough to allow him into their world. There wasn't just her to think of, she was a package deal, for lack of better words, and Chelseas' innocent heart was not to be toyed with either.

- Mandy and I have always been very close, and I could tell in her voice from the very moment she even mentioned Nathans name to me, I knew then and there that he must have that special something. Not that I ever doubted my daughters judgement, but of course being the ever protective Mother and Grandmother, I was eager to meet him to ensure that he was sincere.

- On meeting Nathan, I could tell instantly just from his eyes why Mandy was so drawn to him. He was not only handsome but his manner was very charismatic. It was easy to see from the start the something special that he had, he held it so gently, and that something special was my daughters heart, and visibly she his. Along with Chelsea's loving approval it was clear this young man was truly pure of heart with my girls.

- To date, their loving journey together has already seen their family grow to include a very handsome young son Oliver, whom no doubt has stolen all your hearts along with his sister. When you find a love that exists just as Mandy and Nathan have found, it's just so beautiful. Hopefully they will of course be blessed with even more children yet.

- I would also like to express my highest praise for Nathans parents, Mark and Kim, for raising such a wonderful young gentleman. Their love and kindness that they have also extended to my girls and embracing them as family sincerely warms my heart. I know that we have long ago adopted Nathan as part of our family too, and one simply couldn't wish for a better son in law.

- I couldn't be more proud to formally welcome Nathan and all of his family into our family, and of course last but not least cheers to the newlyweds Mr and Mrs Lum.

~ Love Mum <3