That is a picture of my messer of a little sister and equal of a messer fiancé off on a weekend trip somewhere in the outter wilderness of Toronto.

They took that picture during a weekend away trying to make up their minds on the hardest decision any newly engaged couple has to make.... location of venue. As an emmigrated couple that question was doubley compounded by whether to come home for their wedding to the lush green lands of Ireland, or stay where that have built a life and a future for themselves in Toronto. As you have guessed from the competition entry they have chosen the latter... early August this year.

My sister Rachel and her fiancé Derek have been together for 9 years. After Dereks mother was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time he began to worry if he waited any longer he might not get to see her face on his wedding day. So he popped the questions on their anniversary in Toronto at their favourite restaurant. Dereks mothernis making another amazing recovery as only a woman of her calibre could. They are both nuts and have the intrinsic irish ability for banter that is in all irish blood. They are perfectly matched fault for flare for fault.

We are hoping to all make it for the day that's in it and stand up beside them in celebration, but as Dereks brother is also getting married next year as am I there are rumblings that the guests might be thinner on the ground than we would hoped.

So I hope that you take this entry in the spirit it was intended as a gift to my sister who I love so dearly that no distance in geography can diminish.