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Did someone say romance is dead? Certainly NOT in the hills of Kalamunda. Stan was definitely up to something. "Hmmm.....what's that boy doing behind his computer???" Since we work from home, we're blessed to spend all day, every day together. It builds a special bond where we can instantly share good news or give support when needed. But it also makes arranging surprises more difficult especially when they require a lot of planning, phone calls and attention to detail. Some months before, Stan had shared about his friends, "King" Keith and "Queen" Joyce of Kryal Castle in Ballarat, Victoria, where Stan had once lectured on prophetic events in the news. It piqued my interest, fitting-in nicely to our long-standing affinity for the great, legendary romance of Sir Lancelot and Lady Guinevere. It was easy to be swept back to a time where chivalry was the code of life and handsome, strong knights rushed to battle the dragons of the day wearing their lady's colours. I knew we would be taking a trip to their castle some 3,000 kilometres away; but I did not know all the details. In a neighboring town about 15 minutes from home, we'd once seen a mighty sword; but we didn't buy it because it did not reflect the knight's theme. Regardless, I wondered if I could order one for Stan as a surprise and have it engraved as a memory of our trip to the castle without him detecting the project. Silly woman! Of course not. He was onto me like white on rice! Little did I know that he'd already planned the same idea for a gift except he'd already ordered his from Spain: a special 48-inch sword complete with "Excalibur * King Arthur" in raised lettering on the gold and leather hilt. On the blade in Olde English he'd had a personal message engraved. By the time I had thought to buy the other sword, his was already at the castle and waiting for us to arrive. It was like that well-known Christmas story, "The Gift of the Magi." But, the surprises didn't stop there. Whether it's her own wedding, a renewal of vows or simply someone else's storybook wedding, there's nothing like a mediaeval castle wedding to reach a woman's heart. Stan knew this when he began planning our trip to the castle. He quietly arranged the sword, the special wedding chamber, the plane tickets, the dinner, the ceremony, the music, the people and the costumes without telling me much of anything until the very last moment when he shared certain details to keep from 'surprising' me too much when I would be so far from home and any special clothes, shoes and so forth. Nothing can transport a woman to romance quicker than beautiful, feminine garments, a bit of pampering and knowing her special knight is waiting. When we arrived at their castle of enchantment, we were greeted by "Queen" Joyce whereupon more details of Stan's plan began to unfold for me. I found myself in her fitting room before I could blink. She had in mind the perfect gown of rich creamy satin, with set-in bodice and sleeves of burgundy velvet and lace. A matching veil, jewelry and tiara, as worn in the days of old completed the costume. Three-inch, cream-colored high heels were the only remnant of "today". Stan's attire consisted of tightly-fitting, black leggings, highly-polished brown boots, an elegant burgundy and gold brocade belted tunic, black plumed hat and Excalibur hanging at his side. Instead of appearing silly as he feared, he looked elegant, regal,... knightly. On the morning of the day Stan had set for the wedding to be held, when the importance of the day had finally set-in, I realised shoulder-length hair was not in keeping with the theme; so "Lady Guinevere" (that's me) was off to the beauty salon in Ballarat to be transformed. An hour and a half later, with hair swirled, combed and teased into a fashionable style, the "pearl and cabochon ruby" tiara was nestled amid "Lady Guinevere's" curls. The one detail my knight had left until the last minute was the flowers. So, next on the agenda was Jenny Burke, the Florist, who nearly had a stroke when asked if she could have a bridal bouquet ready in 4 hours! As this was a Monday, that week's fresh flowers hadn't even arrived. In typical Australian style, Jenny neatly organized everything and the huge arm-held bouquet of yellow Frisco roses (the first flowers Stan ever gave me), hisianthos, white larkspur, misty white, alstromaria and fern was ready in 3 hours. We calmly climbed into our 4-wheeled chariot and journeyed back from Ballarat to the castle while eagerly anticipating the afternoon's ceremony. By 3 PM we were dressed in separate quarters. Stan wandered off to wherever "knightly bridegrooms" go at this point and I was away to the first photo session. Many photographs later, it was time... time to meet my Knight in Shining Armour and to be joined with him for the length of our days in our own "they lived happily ever after" tale. With "Queen" Joyce and Jodi the young lady-in-waiting holding the dress and train, we walked to the castle's chapel on a lengthy red carpet rolled out over cobblestones. "Yeoman" Peter, the castle's Chief of Security, escorted the bride to the chapel followed by the attending women. Nothing could have prepared one for the beauty of our ceremony. I'll never forget the impact of seeing my Knight and "King" Keith waiting inside the chapel by the candelabra. I was mesmerised by the rich reds and golds of tapestries and draperies, the warm glow up candlelight, the soft afternoon sun filtering rainbows through stained glass and the heady scent of floral bouquets. At that same moment, music by the group, Cusco, swelled from the chapel. It was the theme music heard on Art Bell's radio program which resulted in my meeting Stan the first time when he was a guest on the show. I realised in a flash that's what Stan had been "up to" behind his computer a week or so before we had left home. He'd recorded and mixed excerpts of music that represented different facets of our meeting and, eventually, our courtship. Cusco's music represented both the Art Bell introduction and the million words or so of exchanged correspondence between us; Rachmaninoff's "Somewhere in Time" theme stood for our growing friendship and eventually an overpowering love that seemed to have stretched across a vast barier of time; Yanni illustrated our passion for each other; Tony O'Connor reminded me of a longing to travel to Australia to be with Stan; while Enya's music was used to represent our sadness at being apart; and, finally, as the Qantas theme song when I finally flew to Australia to be with my knight. As these sounds swamped our hearing, portions of our seemingly impossible relationship flashed vividly into my mind as emotional creations. While the music was evoking these many memories, "Queen" Joyce handed me a sheet of paper on which Stan had made notes explaining the music. His thoughtfulness and the familiar sounds brought tears to both of us, but these were tears of great happiness, of a fulfillment of two hearts' most fervent desire. When our special music of "Somewhere in Time" began, "King" Keith escorted "Lady Guinevere" to her waiting "Lancelot." My "Lancelot" had written the most beautiful of ceremonies which included special vows that had special meaning to us in these prophetic times. During the ceremony, he chose the Elizabethan Theme to set the mood of a knightly love story - one fulfilled and underscored by honour and commitment; his script called for the right hands being tied with ribbon as in ancient days symbolizing the mystical union of the two; the sipping of wine from a chalice brought from the Holy Lands by my knight sealed our covenant; the exchanging of Lancelot's and Lady Guinevere's vows symbolised by the exchange of rings represented a most ancient custom; the two lovers lighting separate candles later to be extinguished as they lit a single flame illustrated the uniting of two individuals into a new, unified being. He also chose the traditional reading of Ist Corinthians, Chapter 13 of "Love Is..." followed by a final act where Lancelot is knighted by his Lady and he formally offers her his protection from that day forward. This act required Sir Lancelot to offer on bended knee his sword as a symbol of his protection to the Lady Guinevere who accepts by kissing the blade thus, sealing their union. With that, the Knight kissed his Lady and brilliant smiles radiated from all at which time, the minister, Ken Robson, presented Sir Lancelot and his Lady Guinevere to the guests. Our wedding music swelled throughout the chapel signaling the completion the Knight's and Lady's wedding. Pausing in the chapel, the "royal" couple reflected on the meanings of life, the universe and that sort of thing. After more photographs, we were escorted to our private wedding suite made intimate with candlelight, tantalizing red wine and heady anticipation. The King's Yeoman served us a lovely steak dinner which was filled with unexpected delights for the palate. A traditional bouquet of lavender and bows had been hung over our curtain-draped four-poster bed by the Queen's ladies. The sunken spa, huge gilt mirrors, soft rose and pink colors surrounded by a secluded courtyard setting added to the romantic mood. It was truly like living in a romantic, mythical tale. Maybe putting a little romance into your own relationship is something you've considered. It does not need to be as extravagant as our romantic holiday; it can be doing simple things to let your partner know how much you care which could add much to any relationship. We do this not thinking it is something we HAVE to do, but something we like to do. Putting the other person first in your life naturally generates these acts. Whenever Stan has gone on errands, if we are not together, he'll always call to see if I need anything. If I'm on errands, sometimes I'll phone Stan from the grocery store just to say "I miss you." He might find a card on his desk or a book he'd like on his pillow. A shoulder rub for tired backs, a massage with scented cream or unexpected flowers picked from our garden are nice ways to say, "I care". Occasionally I will find the bed already made or Stan will have his e-mail downloaded before he's awake. One of the nicest things he does as part of his ingrained training as a former cadet (a modern knight) at the US Air Force Academy is to ALWAYS wait until I'm seated first at the dinner table, hold my chair and open all doors. He is nothing if not a gentleman. When he performs these courtesies, they are done whether alone in our home, at a friend's place or in public. These loving, thoughtful gestures, in turn, make me want to bake his favorite cherry pie like his grandma made in Texas even when I'm exhausted. It makes me want to do things that will please him most whether it's wearing a certain hair style or sexy lingerie. He is truly a remarkable man, my Sir Lancelot. It is our truest wish that all of you have found your Knight in Shining Armour or your Lady Guinevere. And thus it was for Lancelot and Guinevere in those days.... - the days of olde when knights were bolde and their ladies were too..... (smile)....
Lady Guinevere's guide to the Secrets of Romance.
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