“What is the color of love?” my friend Julia in Berlin had asked. Rather wittily, or so I thought, I responded that, “Love is color-blind.”
But no it isn’t. It is indeed that rosy glow in the photo above, one that I have been saving for a special occasion.
And I have one.
My dear friends and readers, I am delighted beyond all belief to announce the engagement of my Mom, Linda, to her incredibly charming companion, Leonard.
Love rules.
Love conquers all.
It shines a bright light into our darkest corners.
It banishes fear. And doubt.
Love proves that we never, ever know what is in store for us.
My most profound Congratulations to a couple that inspires me, that reminds me constantly to believe in the power of True Love. I wish them nothing but happiness ahead…
Congratulations to your Mum & Leonard! Such wonderful news!
Clare x
Heather this is such wonderful news! How nice to hear about love the second time around.
Congratulations to the happy couple and to you!
I hope the pups are well!
and now: good morning!!! it's another bright and sunshiny day.
bisous xx
What a remarkable post, for so many reasons, Heather. Such happy and hopeful news! (And I love david terry's mention of scandal… how delicious… and poetic.)
A mirthful congrats to your mother and Leonard (and like a few others, I'll be curious to know what you plan to wear), but I have other questions, should you care to share. For example, I'd be interested to know how long they've been together, and why they've chosen to actually tie the knot.
As a "femme d'un certain âge" (il faut avouer que c'est plus joli en français…), and one with a paramour (not quite a POSSLQ), I'm on the receiving end of questions as is he about when we'll get married. (The US is very big on marriage.)
Personally, I feel no need, but I am fascinated by the willingness of those who wish to make that very special commitment a second time around, and later in life than we typically expect.
Any stories you'd like to share?
Oh gosh Julia, there were too many typos in my last reply! That can happen in my just before sleepy state. But three times yes? Thank you, tu es formidable et tres sympa en plus…!Sending love right back to Berlin, not so far finally…Bonne Nuit…
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heather <3
i have a tear in my eye!
what a beautiful post!!!! wonderful photos!! and yes yes yes; love conquers all!!!
i raise my glass of lemonade just now and drink to this and to your mum's engagement with leonard. so happy!!!!
the best is yet to come.
sending LOVE (what else?) and waving from berlin,
julia
Ms W, thank you, thank you for all of your wonderful comments here–and for following to boot! I can't stop thinking about your last post.
Really absolutely thrilled to have you here and hooray to the amazing force behind tg for making the introduction…
Everyone, this is my Mom! She really appreciated your kindness…And she is right!
Congratulations! That is wonderful news indeed. x MsW
My most joyful gratitude for eveyone's wishes. Heather's readers are the most articulate and charming clan ever !
Merci, Vicki. No date has been set yet. They hadn't even discussed it before hand, nor what type of wedding it will be–I love that. But it seems as though they are aiming for September/October.
And yes, I have been pushing for a honeymoon in Provence!
Such wonderful things to say, joyful17–a perfect moniker! Thank you for the very kind words and for the perspective. I certainly know that neither of them take anything for granted when it comes to thier love.
That is lovely news for your mother and Leonard, Heather… how exciting for them and huge congratulations…
I know how fond you are of Leonard and how happy you will be for your mother… When is the big day?? xv
How magical..the news of your mother's new found happiness and your photographs…both glorious to behold. Thank you for sharing and making everyone who reads your blog…a happier,more thankful and oh so much more grateful a person!
Second time is a gift to cherish….not everyone gets that chance…then again…many a first time is and was and always will be…..wonderful!
Merci, copine.
I especially love Remi's French prononciation of Leh-oh-nar. It fits him so well–he is a man who loves to watch old movies.
And if I did wear combat boots and the fur stole my Mom certainly wouldn't bat an eyelash–she has seen it ALL before. She was so incredibly supportive always–even when whole families would slow down the car while passing and point at what I was wearing. I love her so much. She gave me the courage to be who I wanted to be.
For the moment, if a gown is required, there is only one that I have even the remotest hope of still fitting into–and even that was meticulously tailored by Madame Carmen (oh! how I miss her!) before her retirement so we shall see…Gosh but as it will most likely be an autumn wedding, I do love the idea of a little fur…don't know what my Mom's Buddhist friends would think about that…Hmm…
PS.Compliments from you, one of the finest writers I know, are golden.
Merci, Debra! We are all thrilled to pieces, yes, you are right!!!
Up with Love all over, Aidan. You got that right. Up with friendship too…
I knew you would understand, Amelia. And I did have a wonderful weekend. I hope that you did too!
David, what would I do without you? But that is mighty high praise. And I don't think it has so much as to what is here rather that I simply have the finest internet friends and readers that a person could ask for (ending with a preposition–why can't I break that habit?). And that goes for not only all the brilliance in their heads but the kindness in their hearts.
As for your family scandals, it reminds me to beg you for the millionth time to pleeeease write your memoir. Just please do.
But yes, it does make me feel very good indeed, doing this–for the connections that I have made that I never would have otherwise. Remi and I were just talking about it yesterday afternoon–it all feels very real, very important to me.
How perfectly said, Nath (a name! I have a name and one I adore)–it is the whole gamut that counts, isn't it? Beauty is also worthwhile…and creativity…and thought! But maybe those just are little bamboo shoots of Love?
And thank you for your compliment, merci tellement. I think that I have maybe photographed one person ever for this blog and yet I do believe you are the first to notice it. I suppose it is my neutrality if you know what I mean by that.
My Mum and Leonard are both special ones who will feel that goodness coming towards them, it is not time wasted I can assure you as they will give in back ten-fold.
Bisous to you in Berlin–you would have loved to have been here today–a perfect Harley day if ever there was one,
h
Croatia! My goodness, that must have been absolutely one stunning wedding. I will pass on your suggestion to my Mom…
how glorious!
a paramour called Leonard.
we do approve.
congratulations to your dear mama.
(will you wear the combat boots and the fur stole to the occasion? do tell 😉 LOVED that piece on D's site that you wrote)
*wavingfromsundayinLA*
_tg xx
Your images due this announcement proud congratulations Heather and to your Mom and Leonard how very exciting for you all!
XXX
Debra~
Stunning photograph. It was worth saving for such a spectacular announcement. I'm so happy for the second chance at love that your mother and Leonard have found together. Up with love!
A xo
Heather, how wonderful it must be for you to be able to announce the engagement of your Mom to her fiancee, Leonard. Some may be blase about true love, but there's nothing like having someone to love and share a life with. Many many congratulations to your Mother and Leonard on their engagement. And the beautiful picture of the golden lights over the mountain top, a true metaphor of happiness and true love. I second your sentiments and poetry…Love rules, love conquers all, it shines a bright light into our darkest corners, it banishes fear, and doubt. Soooo true!
Have a wonderful weekend!
XO Amelia
Not entirely by the way, Heather?…..
I wonder if you've noticed (I certainly have) how many of your readers (me, among them) feel compelled to respond with a remembered-poem afer reading your postings?
Writing off the top of my head, so to speak, I'm recalling that you've gotten Yeats, Keats, Rilke, Millay, and a couple of others from your readers and friends.
Art makes more art.
That's a very fine thing…..and best wishes to your mother and the (soon-to-be) incumbent Mister-Heather's-Mother's Husband.
Do tell your mother (I think veryone appreciates being the source of SCANDAL at one pont or another, particularly after the age of forty)that the two biggest SCANDALS in my own family occurred when one great uncle (at age 74) and one great aunt (at age 62) got married to……someone "we" didn't "know".
Suffice it to say that, in my very old-line Southern family, these "late"-marriages between perfectly reasonable, compatible, and financially-self-sufficient adults were something one couldn't/didn't "talk about"…..which is to say that, as a teenager, all I DID, for about five years there, was to constantly hear my adult relatives talking non-stop about these marriages.
Best wishes to your mother and your family (including the newest members; Leonard and Kipling seem to have found lucky berths in your and your mother's affections)
Don't bother to respond, but I hope that makes you feel awfully good about what you're doing; it dawned on me just this morning when I was looking over the comments you've had from readers.
—-david terry
http://www.davidterryart.com
Heather, I adore your photography, amazing nature and no people. like a day of holiday in each post.
It also links beautifully to the story you tell – and just imagine how much good thoughts are sent to your mum and her partner from people who don't even know them 🙂
Love is the only thing worthwhile under the moon; but not only the romantic love, but the vibe of love that you either tune in to or not.
Lovely inspiring, uplifting post. Wishing your mom and Leonard a wonderful new beginning together. We married in Croatia. It took some arranging…check with the embassy or French Consulate and recheck all papers required. How lovely that would be if they could marry in la belle France. If simpler, maybe renewing the vows after is a possibility as well? Bon weekend. 🙂
Claire–I see from your website that you are in La Provence Verte–we LOVE that area! Where are you? I have done some posts about our visits there…
And these photos were taken close to us both in front of and behind Les Baux de Provence on the same evening.
Will try my best but engagements of this importance don't happen every day, Jackie!
So beautifully put, as always, Ann–merci, mille fois merci!!!
Helen, with your wonderful spirit, it is of no surprise that you appreciated this great news. Thank you, dear friend for sharing your appreciation!
xo,
H
Elizabeth, my Mom saw your comment and the wheels started turning in her head!! I don't think it will work out but what an amazing idea!!!!
My Mom has been through so much and this story really is a promise of hope–more than you can know!
Bisous, Deborah–hope you are well and getting ready to head into autumn…
There has been some talk of just that but paper-work and extensive family on the grooms side will most likely forbid it…
Drat. I would have cooked up quite a meal. And asked you to help me. 🙂
Heather ! Very happy for your mum ! Just a question , where in Provence did you take these pictures ? Amazing, beautiful Claire from Provence Hand Made (www.provencehandmade.com)
Wonderful news – a real day brightener in this gloomy Pacific Northwest. Keep the sunshine coming . . .
Ahhh, wonderful news! May they share many beautiful, brilliantly colored days together. Congrats to your family, Heather!
Hello Heather
The image and the wonderful news of your mother's engagement is a joy to hear on this sunny morning.
I wish them years of joy and happiness.
Thank you for sharing this happy news
Helen xx
Ah, love. How sweet to declare it to the world. I think they should wed in one of your photos.
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YOu have a beautiful daughter you two!Now, will you marry in France or AMERICA?If in France the BOYS can be the ring bearers!I vote for FRANCE if the paper work can be done in a timely matter!HOW EXCITING!I'm very pleased for all of you!
XXX
That's very romantic and an affirmation that love and true companionship is waiting for us all. Wishing them continued happiness and contentment! I love the rosy glow in the clouds and on the hills. Happy news is always good to share! Cheers,Deborah from Melbourne.
Hooray! Thank you Nathalie! I am sure my Mom and Leonard will be happy to have your good wishes!
You are welcome my dear friend! And as you can imagine, I have been sporting a big smile since I heard the news…
Bisous,
H
Will do Trace. She will be happy to hear from you!
The images and news are equally FANTASTIC! That's the best way to celebrate the first day of spring. The beginnings, hopes…
My heartfelt congratulations and the best wishes!
Congratulations Linda and Leonard! And thank you, Heather, for starting my weekend with a smile!
How lovely! 2nd marriages are so awesome, each day is a blessing. Send her my love.
Thank you so much, dear friend. You would love them as I do.
How wonderful, I am thrilled for the happy couple and wish them joy and happiness for years to come.
Here's to Linda and Leonard.
X