Shane & Maxine's Wedding

How We Met
Sunday, 18 October, 2015. That is when it happened, when they met for the first time and incidentally also fell in love. Maxi was searching for her brother, who she was worried about, and realised the only place that he could be drinking at was a place called Jo's Pool Bar. Over the years Maxi has now come to love this place called Jo's but at the time she quite despised going there. One word we can describe Jo's as is dodgy (no offense to Jo's, it has previously been recorded that Maxi now loves the place). She went in but couldn't find her brother, even though his bakkie was parked in the parking lot. She did find someone else though. She walked in and made eye contact with the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life. She looked away searching for her brother and when she looked back she realised this gorgeous man was staring straight at her! She was so taken aback that she actually looked behind her to see if he was smiling at someone else. Thankfully, this wasn't the case and he continued to smile. She left in a fluster, not knowing WHAT to do, oh yes, find her brother, that was the mission for the night. When she returned she found her brother sitting at the bar. Not only was he sitting at the bar, but he was talking to this beautiful human being who had been smiling at her! She greeted Charles, him getting the fright of his life seeing her standing in Jo's, and said, "Maxi! I want you to meet my new friends! This is Shane (gorgeous man puts out his hand to shake Maxi's, oh the thrill!), and this is his roommate Paul (roommate puts out his hand to shake Maxi's, ok cool, whatever, gorgeous guys name is SHANE!). Shane moves away to continue playing the game of pool that he was in the middle of. Maxi felt slightly disappointed that he didn't stay just a little longer but understood he was busy. He won. Another game. During this time they kept on making eye contact and giving each other small cutesy smiles. After the initial, incredibly intense first sighting, Shane felt slightly distant and Maxi didn't understand why.

Sunday, 18 October, 2015. Shane was sitting at home feeling EXTREMELY bored. His roommate Paul, who he had only met that week, was holed up in his room. Shane came up with a great idea.
"Hey Paul, you wanna go play a game of pool with me?"
Paul, not very interested, "Where?"
"Jo's Pools Bar on Umhlanga Rocks Drive."
Slight shrug from Paul, "Ja, Ok."
Shane was on a roll at the pool table, winning game after game, until he saw the most beautiful woman he had ever seen walk into the bar. It looked like she was looking for something and after smiling at her, she promptly left. Odd. Five minutes later she came back and coming up to the guy Shane was engaging with in useless conversation. She walked up behind Charles, who had just introduced himself, and she put her finger up to her mouth signalling to Shane that he must be quiet and that she was about to do something. She walked up behind him, slid her arms around his waist and said, "Hey sexy!" Charles nearly fell off his bar stool and Maxine and Shane thought this was the funniest thing ever. Charles didn't quite feel the same way. Charles then introduced Maxine to Shane and Paul and Shane's heart dropped a little, thinking, "This is one lucky guy to have a woman like this." He carried on playing his pool, sad that they had shared such an incredible moment earlier only to learn now that she was with someone. The song that was running through his head was James Blunt's 'You're Beautiful.' A beautiful woman he'd just seen but will never be with because of this other guy. Pity. He went to the bar about half an hour later to get another drink when Charles, quite on, shouted at Shane, "Hey! Shane! Have you met my sister!?"
SISTER!? The Gods ARE good after all! Immediately Shane walked over to Maxine and reintroduced himself by saying, "Hello sister! My name is Shane!"

And that was that. The night continued in a wave of excitement and feelings they had both never experienced. There were a few cheesy pick up lines from Shane including, "Did it hurt?" The whole falling from heaven one that we all know. He also produced, "Are you tired?" Maxine being quite defensive answering, "No! Why do I looked tired!?" To which Shane sheepishly replied, "Not at all, it's just that you've been running through my mind the whole night." Maxine liked his sense of humour and naivety, among many other things.

They danced.
They laughed.
They kissed.
They agreed they wouldn't hurt each other.
They both knew what was happening.
They both knew this was it.

Two planets collided that night and they continue to collide, and will do so forever.

 

How It Happened Saturday, 5 October, 2019.
Shane's Birthday! We had been given a two night stay at the snazzy Protea Edward Hotel on the beach front by a friend of ours. We decided to use it to celebrate Shane's birthday and make a special weekend out of it. The night before, Friday night, we had had a gig where we were performing with a friend of ours in the the band we had formed. After our first set Shane was looking a little bit antsy. He asked me if I wanted a beer. I declined and said that, as he knows, I don't drink during a gig. His reply was, "Ok, well I NEED a beer. I'm going to find one." I thought this was very strange. Sure, Shane enjoys his Black Label, but not once has he ever told me that he NEEDS a beer. Feel like a beer, sure. Would like to have a beer, normal! But NEED a beer!? I found that very odd. After Shane completed his crusade for beer he returned with three of them and handed one to me. I looked at him and said, "I don't want a beer my love, I already told you that."
He looked down at what he was doing and said, "Alright, I'll just have all three then."
Ok angel, have all three then, it seems like you DO need it, I thought to myself. I studied him quizzically and wondered why he was so on edge. I would speak to him but he'd barely register what I was saying. I began to think about it and realised that he had been like this for quite some time now, at least two weeks. I remembered that he was so distant that I was asking him quite a few times in a day if he was ok. Or even what he was thinking about. He always assured me he was just fine but I didn't quite believe him. I started to worry slightly, but didn't put anymore thought to it. After the gig we went to have some dinner at one of our favourite restaurants. We were enjoying sharing a few quartz of beers and it seemed like Shane had finally calmed down. For some reason I was in a naughty mood and started teasing him. As soon as we finished a bottle I would tease Shane buy pouring the last drop into his glass and say, "You know the tradition Angel! Whoever gets the last drop of the bottle is going to be married next year!" He laughed, if not a bit nervously but he still laughed. This had been a running joke of ours from the beginning of our relationship so it was nothing new. Shane decided he wanted to get back to the hotel room and took our food as a take away and the waiter managed to smuggle us a few more beers, seeing as all the bottle stores were closed by that time. Once at the hotel I continued with my cheeky antics of pouring the last drop into his glass. He kept on smiling, I thought I was being funny. Out of nowhere I looked at my ring finger and said to him, "Do you know what love? I've been thinking my finger has been looking a little bare lately, what do you think?"
Bad idea. He tensed up like he had just seen the biggest spider in the world (he hates those things) and just sat there staring at me. I realised I had done something wrong and QUICKLY said, "Um, love, I was joking. Sorry, maybe I took it too far, I'm really sorry I was just teasing you like I have been the whole night. You know I'd never put pressure on you, right? I never have?"
A nervous, "Uh-huh," was his answer.
I stopped my nonsense and we went to bed.

The next day we woke up to celebrate Shane's birthday. I kept on asking him what he'd like to do, we had dinner plans for the evening but nothing during the day. He kept evading the question until he said, "I know! Let's go for sundowners on Moyo Pier before dinner! We can watch the sunset." I loved the idea! That didn't stop me though and I kept on asking if he'd like to go for a walk, or watch a movie, all to which he refused. Next minute, he pulls a beer from last night out of the fridge and asks me if I want to share it with him. I look at the clock and say, "Uh, it's 11 o'clock in the morning, no thanks love." His reply was, "Ok, it's my birthday, so I'm going to have one." Once again, Shane has NEVER had a beer this early before, now I was really beginning to get concerned. I thought maybe he was struggling with turning a year older, but that had never bothered him before, so why should it now?

Saturday, 5 October, 2019. My birthday! How old am I again? 37? 38? How can I never remember how old I am? Probably because I don't care. What on earth was Maxi going on like that for last night!? I wonder if she knows I'm going to propose? My goodness I almost lost it when she said that thing about her finger being bare. Was she teasing me, hoping me to propose then and there? I almost did, but no, that's not the way I want it to happen. I need a beer. I offered one to Maxi but she says it's too early, I agree with her, jeepers it's only 11 o'clock in the morning, but I NEED a beer. The ring has been safe in my pocket since yesterday afternoon, that was insanely stressful. Playing bass, sitting down, wondering if it was going to fall out of my pocket. Wondering if Maxi was going to touch my bum, like she always does, and feel it in there! I can't do this for much longer, it's too stressful. Now Maxi is trying to make my day special by doing something, going for a walk or movie or something. I just want us to sit in our room until it's time to go to Moyo.
"Love, my mom is asking what time can we be there."
Maxi's mom is asking what time we can be where? Why is Maxi telling me this?
"Babe why are you looking at me like I'm speaking Greek? Remember? My mom invited us for snacks for your birthday and you said great."
Yes I did say that. I had completely forgotten. That's nice of Kim, she's always so good to us, she was the one that helped me with the ring and everything. I still just wanted to fast forward to sunset though.
"Umm, how about 15h? Ask your mom if that's ok." Why is Maxi giving me a sidelong glance with a weird smile? Does she know!? DOES SHE KNOW!? I have my shower first. Now she's having hers. Great, this is my chance to move the ring from yesterdays pants into the pants pocket I'm wearing tonight. Done. Safe. Pulling smart pants on for dinner tonight. These are hot. I'm overheating. I'm not going to last the next four hours in these, I'm already sweating. Maxi walks out of the bathroom, looks at me and says, "Love, aren't you going to get too hot in those pants? They're really nice but it's still going to be hot for quite a while, I don't want you to overheat. Just saying," and she returns to the bathroom. She knows me so well. She's doing her make-up. Perfect! I have a few minutes to change pants AND transport the goods.
"Love," oh my goodness why does it sound like she's in the room? I turn around, she is in the room and my new pants are half on but the ring is still in the other pair, lying on the bed begging to be discovered.
"Are you alright? You keep on just staring at me without saying anything? Are you ok ange?"
She's onto me, I HAVE GOT TO GET IT TOGETHER. I assure her I'm fine. She gives me a searching look, she doesn't believe me, she can read my mind. Dammit.

Oh my goodness this is so much food. Why is there so much food? Does Kim want us to stay for hours? She knows I'm going to propose tonight! There's even Swiss roll! I LOVE Swiss roll but I'm too nervous to have any. Why is there so much food!?
Maxi, "Ah Kit, I forgot to get you the paper you asked for. I'll just pop out now to get it."
Phew, now I can ask Kim why there is so much food. Kim's acting a little weird as well, I suppose she's as excited as I feel nervous.
"And!? How's it going!?"
"Terrible! I'm so on edge. Maxi wouldn't stop teasing me last night about getting married. Do you think she knows!?"
"No of course she doesn't know!"
"Kim this is really wonderful, thank you so much, but you know we have to get out of here, we can't stay long."
"Of course Shane! Leave whenever you need to. I'm SO excited!" You and me both, Kit.
After having a bit to eat, I think I actually had a sum total of two Lays chips, I ask Maxi if she wants to get going. Once again, that inquisitive, probing look she's been giving me lately.
"Love, it's only quarter past four. You said you wanted to be at Moyo by quarter to six. Angel, what's the rush? You could have another beer in that time."
I could have another beer in that time but I don't want another beer. I want to PROPOSE to you and ask you to spend the rest of our lives together and then calm down!
"Ok," I say, "You're right, no rush."

We finally get to Moyo, I think that was the longest hour and a half of my life. Where's Gavin? I don't see Gavin. Gavin is supposed to be here at quarter to six because that's when I'm going to propose and that's when he is going to come down the steps playing a song on guitar. Where is Gavin!?
"Shane?"
"Yup?"
"What would you like to drink? That's the third time I've asked you love. Are you SURE you're ok?"
"Huh? Yes! Fine! Just looking for a place for us to sit." No I'm not, I'm looking for Gavin, where is he!?
We take a walk onto the pier to watch the sunset. I can't stop hugging Maxi and telling her how much I love her, because I do, that's the whole point of this story. Ok, no Gavin, it doesn't matter, it will still be great even if there is no romantic music being played. Right. Now is the time.

Why is Shane being so weird!? We made it on time, we're watching the sunset, everything is utterly gorgeous, yet he's still behaving so strangely! That's like the seventh time he's hugged me and told me how much he loves me. I love him so much too and I keep on telling him that. Maybe he's just feeling a bit insecure about the whole one year older thing. He's suggesting we move inside. It's nice and cosy and fantastic that no-one else is sitting down here, everyone is at the upstairs bar. I put my hands on the table, like I always do, waiting for Shane to take my hands in his. That's how we sit at a table. Always. He's not taking my hands. Oh dear, there really is something wrong. He's just sitting there with one hand covering the other, his body language is so closed off. Ok, now I'm beginning to panic, why is he acting this way? I don't know him to be like this. Have I done something wrong? Jeezlike Max, you really shouldn't have teased him so much last night, what were you thinking?
I take his hands in mine, he obviously needs reassurance about something so let me try and give it to him. As soon as I take his hands he stares at me with that "shocked I've seen a spider look again."

This is it! She's holding my hands! Surely she can feel the ring that is on my fourth finger that I've turned upside down!? Surely she knows what it is!? Why is she still just staring at me with a worried smile on her face?

Nope, nothing, still nothing. I ask him if he's ok, once again it's a yes. I don't believe him.

Fine, this is going nowhere. Plan F, because that's how I feel how low down on the planning board I am. I touch the eternity ring I gave her when we first met and say to her, "I please need you to take this off for me."

Why is he asking me to take off my eternity ring!? What is going on!? I don't understand!
"No, It's mine, I'm not going to take it off!" It comes out a bit more aggressively than I thought it would.

She's just not getting it. This Maxi! There's no other way to do it so I say, "I please need you to take this ring off because I have another one I want to give to you." I open my hand to show her the ring, she glances at it and now she's crying uncontrollably. I hope this is a good thing.

Oh my goodness! He's got an engagement ring in his hand! That's why he asked me to take the other one off! Oh my goodness HE'S PROPOSING TO ME! I can't stop crying. I'm hugging him now and all my tears and snot is going all over his shirt. I don't care, he's proposing to me!

After hugging and kissing for a while, Shane looked at Maxi and said, "And!?"
She gathered her breath and replied laughing, "Well, technically you haven't asked me to marry you yet!"
"Shit!" was Shane's reply, "You're right. My darling angel, will you marry me?"
"YES! A thousand times over. YES!"

And that is how it happened.

We are holding the wedding at the luxurious Bellwood Estate Wedding Venue on Nottingham Road in the Midlands.

Suggested Accommodation: Bellwood Estate Cottages

Contact:
Phone +27-82-4955033 or +27-72- 2374021
Email cottages@bellwood.co.za

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