05/09/2025
Today marks a very special milestone.
I have just completed my 100th ceremony.
100 moments of sadness, grief, thanks, faith, nostalgia and love.
100 beautiful families who allowed me to hold them in their most difficult times.
100 collaborations with the greatest people on earth.
100 times I’ve put on my heels, picked up my folder, and thought: “I am so grateful.”
This past year has brought me some truly amazing people:
Darren and Alan, who gave me that very first shot and now treat me like family.
The wonderful FDs and FAs who have been so kind and welcoming — Becky, Louise, Carly, Mary, Goldie, Aaron, Dave, Lydia and Alison, and more recently the team at RFS.
The incredible team at Arun — Adam, Jose, Sam and Laura.
The drivers and bearers who never fail to make me belly laugh.
My special friends from CCL — Alison, Sarah, Gill, Tom, Amanda and Anne Marie — without whom I would surely have gone completely mad. Thank you for the advice, camaraderie, and shared moments of chaos and joy.
The brilliant teachers at CCL, especially Nikki, Anne and James, for preparing us for just about everything.
My wonderful family, for believing in me.
My dear husband Cai, for cheering me on every step of the way, and keeping me fed and watered when I was still writing past midnight.
And my beautiful friends who have shared every high and low with me — especially Jess, Adam, Bobby and Emma.
And finally, most importantly, my clients. The dear, sweet and precious families who have allowed me to be there for them, shared stories about their loved ones, and shown me just how vast we are in every aspect of our humanity: sacrifice, love, pain, triumph, war, art, survival.
I can’t quite believe the year I have had, but I know I’m going into year two completely overjoyed at the prospect of what is to come.
I have learned so much about myself, and about other people. I cannot express how deeply thankful I am — for the perspective, for the opportunity to use my voice for good, to feel respected at work, to achieve real results, to be truly happy.
No, I’m still not going to do weddings, and yes, I still blow everyone’s ears off when there’s a hymn. Some things never change, even when everything else does.
Love, Peace. 🙏🏼
