Ian 16th April 2022

Our first date Easter Saturday 1987 - Extract from Roberto's Wedding Speech: "I was invited by another Italian friend to join her in Norwich for the Easter week end. Little did I know this is where today’s love story started. This is what you all came for! Let me take you back. The year was 1987 and like all good love stories, it didn’t start too promising – someone pinched my bum at a nightclub...A furtive kiss in the car park that prompted a rendez vous the following morning to which I was late! It wasn’t in the acceptable Italian style of being a few minutes late. It was an hour late!! As it turned out, of the three guys who I found behind me cheekily smiling, I remember as if it was today, the charming smile, broad shoulders and beautiful blue eyes of Ian. I even remember what he was wearing, the car he was driving! Back home with Flavia I spent the night telling her of my adventure and she told me hers...I don t think you want to know...The following morning I got up late and I was late... But as the saying goes, all good things come to those who wait…we can’t rush these things…and during the extremely romantic scenario of Norwich Ian and I met - not without any dramas – Ian was very upset I was late, didn’t t like the jeans I was wearing... and the rest is, as they say, is history. Ian , you look absolutely handsome today, I had tears in my eyes when I saw you earlier this morning getting ready and my heart was racing as this morning celebrations unfolded. I always felt safe with you and your reassuring smile melts my heart every time...I thank God for this day, and all the days we had together and the days we will enjoy as a married couple, because only few months ago I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’d like to say thank you for everything you’ve done to get me/us to today. The planning and sorting a wedding during a pandemic has not been easy, I really thought we were going to hold our reception in the little garden yard at the back of our house! Seriously though, they say don’t marry someone you can live with – marry the person you can’t live without. Ian, I love you now and always!