The Marriage of Miss Catherine Belinda Harper and Mr Florian Wolfgang Bernshausen

20:44:07 o'clock BST

I flew out to Cologne on 13th June 2006. The following afternoon Catherine was to go to hospital for a C section.

As we left their apartment a violent thunderstorm started. I have never seen drops of rain the size that were hitting the windscreen, each one seemed like a small cup of water.

We got there and Catherine was checked over and wired up to a monitor which showed she was having contractions. Catherine thought she just had a bit of indigestion but within minutes she was having strong contractions, it started to look as if she would have the baby on her own and after a little thought she decided she was pleased and would go for a natural delivery, her main thought had been to have me there in the country when her baby was born and this would mean she could return to her home so much sooner.

Sadly, it was not to be and after an hour the contractions had stopped. There had been an emergency in theatre that had prevented her from going until that time anyway. Suddenly she was whisked off and her mother in law, Vera and I were left to wait nervously.

Catherine had said she didn't want people waiting around for afterwards, as she didn't think she would want to see anyone. But it was all so quick, Vera and I didn't think we should go until we knew something and the next thing we knew there was this cot/trolley thing being pushed by the midwife we had spent the last couple of hours with. She was smiling and said " Here she is" I think Vera and I were both amazed that our grandaughter was with us so soon.

I knew she had been a very lively baby from when she was only a few weeks old and she was no different now. She was desperately trying to get her eyes open and lift her head for a look round.

We were invited to see her being weighed and bathed and all the other checks they do , then I was given her to hold, even before her own Mum, which was understandable, as Catherine was still being stitched up. I suppose it seemed right and Vera was happy for me to have the first hold as I was doing it 'by proxy' for Catherine.

Flo then joined us and I was so pleased we had stayed, as it meant I was able to photograph all these things that Catherine was missing, In fact, even with a normal delivery you don't get to see this bit. I have yet to see the mother that has jumped out of bed and been at close hand for the initial cleaning up of their baby. I slept for two hours before I got to hold Catherine.

Catherine was soon wheeled up to a huge room, where she was to spend the night. She seemed happy we were still there. Flo tried to show her Isabella but Catherine had to lie flat for six hours and it was difficult, as Flo couldn't get Isabella into a position where they were face to face.

Having already had a hold and being more experienced in babies, I took her and was able to get her lying on Catherine's arm, so that they could meet for the first time. I have to admit to a little weep at that time.

I hope you enjoy the pictures, which show, in intimate detail, the first meetings of Isabella with her family, also where they live and some of the beautiful surrounding areas.

I shall be back there on 9th August for a week and Catherine's 30th birthday, there will be more pictures after then.

 

  

 

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18:10:19 o'clock GMT

Despite numerous difficulties my daughter Catherine married her love, Florian on Friday 3rd March 2006, in Bad Laasphe, Germany.

In the end we managed to get Catherine's grandmother there, despite having broken her leg in three places  just two and a half weeks before the wedding.

Sadly Flo's brother, Sebastian and Catherine's brother, Simon could not be there as they are both in the Armed Forces and duties prevented them being present. 

I know both Vera and I held them in our hearts during the day, so they were present in our thoughts, if not in person. It is one of the hardships of their chosen careers.

This website is to show the many friends and family around the world a little of what the day was like.

What you can't know is that the snow made it seem like a fairytale wedding and the food was wonderful.

Please feel free to leave  a comment.

 

Written by lindaggeorge Link to this entry | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 4 comments: Show Recent | Add your own