Four Years On

This day in 2015 was quite a memorable one for the Auld Reekie Ranter. Hearts defeated Livingston 1-0 at Tynecastle thanks to a Jamie Walker goal to go an astonishing 20 points clear in the Championship. Edinburgh was full of Welsh people about to descend on Murrayfield for their Six Nations rugby match with Scotland. And a couple of miles along the road I got married to the lovely Marion...

I have been accused of being a soppy old git at times so to prove this point I am truly a lucky guy to be married to such a beautiful, wonderful, generous and talented lady. Baby I Love You by The Ramones was the song we had our first dance to as Mr and Mrs Smith. Four years on and I love her more than ever.

So, Mrs Smith – can I go to the pub tonight or what…?

One Year On

One year ago today I married the lovely Marion. Stunningly attractive, highly intelligent, gifted....but enough about me...

The last few months have been something of a rollercoaster. But Marion has been by my side all the way. Thanks for making the past year one of the happiest of my life. Happy anniversary, darling.

5 Deadly Terms Used By Women

I like to think that people reading this blog - both of you - find it an education i.e. you'll learn never to look at this rubbish again. As Marion aka the guvn'r and I approach our first wedding anniversary (two weeks on Saturday Sunday apparently) I find the above statements are used by Mrs Smith on a regular basis.

Disclaimer: she's still the best thing that ever happened to me...

Long Lost Friend

The moment that we met
There was something so familiar
I felt like I'd known you for a thousand years
And there inside your eyes I saw a light that I'd been missing
Somewhere deep inside
All of the lonely disappeared
And, baby, now you're here I feel like I have found
A long lost friend that I've lived for all my life

A gentle hand
A part of me I've been trying to find
And now you're here
And the search comes to an end
I've found my long lost friend
Every move I make
Is to the rhythm of your heartbeat
Every single breath you take
You take with me
Oh, I ask myself
How did I ever live before you?

You came into my life
And put all the pieces into place
When I saw your face I knew that I had found
Like a storm out of the blue
Love rained down on me and you
So complete and so unexpectedly
Like a movie in my mind
I've seen a hundred times I feel like, I've loved you before...

Long Lost Friend
Now you're here
And the search comes to an end
I've found my long lost friend!

Dedicated to the one I love....

At the Museum

I spent Saturday afternoon at the National Museum in Edinburgh in the company of Marion, Laura and some of my favourite little people...

Even The Cake Was In Tiers - Part 94

Now, Mr Smith, as I'm your best man and have even less hair than you do, it's my duty to ensure you're not hungover from last night. 

Now, just lean against this tree and try not to fall over....

Don't you even think about trying to find out what the Hearts score is...

What a bunch of posers. The guy in the kilt is all right though....

Listen, Max, it's not my fault your Daddy wants to bring you up as a Hibby.

Great-Granny with those great grandchildren

I don't know why you're laughing, I haven't paid for the reception yet...

The clock indicates Marion and I have been married for an hour. Meanwhile, along the road, there's still 45 minutes to play at Tynecastle and Hearts are only 1-0 ahead.

An emotional Ranter and his lovely new bride. Even the cake was in tiers...

Radiant. Stunning. Beautiful. A picture of loveliness. But enough about me. Here's a snap of the lovely Mrs Smith.

Valentine's Day Wedding

Marion putting Hearts down for a home win in her fixed odds coupon

What do you mean he hasn't turned up yet? Try Ladbrokes...

   

Aye, Hearts won 1-0 and now have a 20 point lead at the top of the league

Right! Which one of you scoundrels has hidden Papa's glass of champagne?

Ah - so it was you, Jack the Lad....

Saturday 14th February 2015 saw me marry the lovely Marion in Edinburgh. A big thank you to those who came to share our special day. It was one of the happiest days of my life and I feel truly blessed to have married someone as wonderful as Marion.  

Wedding Day

Tomorrow - Valentine's Day - sees me marry the lovely Marion in a ceremony in Edinburgh.

Marion believes that looks are less important than personality – enter your own punchline here - which is just as well, otherwise she wouldn’t have agreed to marry me. Her unending generosity and kindness make me very humble and she has taught me the importance of patience and understanding. She has made me a better person and for that I am truly grateful.

Thank you to those who have already offered their best wishes - particular thanks to Graham Herriott for his lovely gift which touched both our hearts (and you thought I didn't have a heart!)

The nerves are jangling - but I can't wait for Saturday!

Happy Birthday, Girls

A very happy birthday to two special ladies in my life who both have their birthday on Sunday.

The lovely Marion, to whom I am getting married early in 2015, with my grandson Jack:

And daughter Michaela who is now a quarter of a century old. Pictured here with George Clooney her auld father and her baby son Max

Eight Months Today...

...I get married to The Guvn'r. Here's the cake I'm suggesting we have for the wedding.

 

I'm sure Marion will see the funny side. But, if she doesn't, does anyone know of a good lawyer...?

Happy Birthday, Jack

 

Nine years ago today my first grandchild Jack was born. I had him for a 'sleep-over' on Friday and he is turning into an impressive young fella. He told me how much I meant to him and I was like Chelsea FC's manager Jose Mourhino - the special one. Damn near brought a tear to my eye. He is pictured above with Marion aka The Guvn'r. I'm a lucky guy to have two such special people in my life.

Didn't stop me from thrashing the pair of them at ten-pin bowling though...