Vox pop on Church Road

Just before the start of the school Summer holidays, we were heading along Church Road in Hove, with Katie and PIckle the dogs leading the way. We were politely stopped by two girls who told us they were carrying out a survey for a school project, and did we have a moment?

The main survey question was “What’s the key to a successful relationship?” Nice and simple! I confess, my very first reaction was to wonder why the girls had chosen us to take part in their survey. The kind of question one should not dwell on, perhaps… I’m going with the idea that it was the dogs that made us look approachable.

I came up with two answers for the survey. The first, inherited from my parents many years ago, was that old adage about not going to bed on an argument. Not very original, but still good advice. My second answer was prompted by a recent conversation with a friend about the delights - and otherwise - of online dating. She had been talking about a series of dates that hadn’t gone anywhere, despite having many shared interests. Our conversation had reminded me of my own experience that having very different tastes and enjoying different things was much less significant than two individuals wanting the same things out of a relationship. When I’m working with a couple to put together a wedding ceremony, for me there’s a great pleasure in being able to weave in elements that are inspired by each member of the couple, and to layer those with elements that reflect both individuals together as one united couple. The word-tapestry that emerges from this process has colours and textures that have been crafted with love, celebrating the couple’s individuality as well as their shared dreams.