On Monday 2nd July 2012, Samia and myself had a delightful wedding at the Dru Centre in North Wales. Don’t worry if you missed it, you can see it all here.
Bridesmaids Past and Present
This is a picture of my grandmother’s bridesmaids in the 1930’s. A wedding is a great time to celebrate your past generations, and thank them for bringing you here. Often we try not to think about loved ones who have passed away because of the grief we feel, but in reality (mine anyway) love isn’t bound by time and space so don’t feel shy of sending love and gratitude to them, even if they died years ago!
![01062012749[1]](https://i0.wp.com/keithonfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/010620127491.jpg?resize=833%2C469&ssl=1)
Back two generations
Here are the same bridesmaids in 1959 at my parents wedding
![01062012759_1[1]](https://i0.wp.com/keithonfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/01062012759_11.jpg?resize=831%2C468&ssl=1)
The bridesmaids
Up to date with the amazing bridesmaids at our wedding.
![02072012923[1]](https://i0.wp.com/keithonfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/020720129231.jpg?resize=834%2C470)
Our amazing bridesmaids Petra, Julie, Radhika, Mouli, SAMIA, Joan, Vera, Ocean, Saraswati
My Parents
This picture from my parents wedding, totally captures the delight of the moment.
![01062012755[1]](https://i0.wp.com/keithonfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/010620127551.jpg?resize=841%2C474&ssl=1)
Mum and dad
![30052012741[1]](https://i0.wp.com/keithonfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/300520127411.jpg?resize=833%2C469)
The House that Mum and Dad Built
Uncle Paul
Didn’t want to miss this opportunity to embarrass Paul with this gorgeous photo. Paul is my Dad’s youngest brother, he was born late, and me early, meaning there are only a few years between us. Paul has been more like a big brother to me. This was him at my parent’s wedding.

Paul
Me
I was born in Aden, my Dad was in the RAF and had to leave, without my mother on his own, in a little plane, some months before I was born. It was a time of uncertainty, but mum did manage to join him there just 3 months before I was born. They had a great time there for 2 years, a bungalow on the beach, and a dream trip to Kenya, and best of all, me arriving!

Map of Aden

Aden in 1960’s
Because my grandparents didn’t see, me my dad made lots of cine films to send home. Here are some great clips!
Bathtime
First Steps
Getting the hang of it
David’s Dad getting me into bad habits
Raiding David’s Dad’s veg patch
Cycling with Stuart
Samia
This is the first photo we have of Samia, with her Mum, Dad and big brother Tufa. The rest of the gang, Sabia, Noorjahan, Thahera and Masum still to arrive.
![17062012812[1]](https://i0.wp.com/keithonfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/170620128121.jpg?resize=833%2C469&ssl=1)
Little Samia

Llandudno Day Out
Samia was like a mother to all of them, and there was time for lots of great days out and treats!

Still on the shelf
Later on with support from Sabia and Noorjahan looking after Mum and the youngest ones, Samia helped in the Dru Shop and studied Chemistry at Bangor University.
She also wrote and directed plays for the big Dru events, conferences and celebrations. A young, creative, intelligent, caring and beautiful woman.

camping with the kids
Mansukh
![28062012911[1]](https://i0.wp.com/keithonfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/280620129111.jpg?resize=838%2C472)
Special friendship
Together with Samia
As we have known each other for over twenty years, some people ask why has it taken so long! It’s because I first met Samia at one of our conferences. I was running the kitchen and she came to help. The first job was cutting peppers. She was slicing them a quarter of the way down and throwing away the tops!
![01072012917[1]](https://i0.wp.com/keithonfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/010720129171.jpg?resize=834%2C470)
Samia’s pepper on the right
But at the right time our love blossomed, and we have been delighted to have our celebration with everyone. We wanted to share our joy and happiness, and the cake!
Love Keith & Samia
See the speeches here
Categories: Keith on Life