I was sitting at a table in the marquee at about 10.30pm chatting with some friends. We were all having a great laugh. The DJ was spinning some 80's tunes (Madonna, Cyndi Lauper etc) and the bride and groom were on the dance floor in a big circle with all their mates (all mid-twenties, sporty types) having a total blast.
There were people dotted all around the huge marquee, at tables with candles lit. Fairy lights were strung around the ceiling and there was a really happy buzz on. I was having a great time - it had been such a perfect, lovely, loving wedding right from the start, a real festival of love - and I suddenly thought, what do these people who are drinking have that I don't right now? And the answer? Nothing! There was nothing that they had that I didn't. What I mean is, I didn't feel left out, or that I was missing out, on anything.
Does this make sense? We were all at the same table at the same wedding having the same fun except they had wine and beer in their bellies and I didn't. And from where I was sitting I couldn't see that I was missing anything. We were all having a great time it was just that I happened to be sober and they weren't.
Daft Punk got us on the dance floor! Had a good boogie for about 5 songs then had lovely goodbye chats with the hosts and the bride and groom etc (everyone tired and a bit blurred and happy) and then it was midnight I drove us all home. I LOVE DRIVING HOME!!! (almost as much as I love waking up the morning after).
I'm helped now by the fact this is actually the 6th wedding I've done since giving up the booze and I keep getting better and better at it. Every time I do another thing sober, another party or wedding or dinner or function or whatever, it gets easier. So try it once. But don't give up. Try it again. Try it again. And try it again. It starts to get easier and easier and then more fun and more fun. Honest.
Love, Mrs D xxx
