Dearest Charlotte

Charly first came into our lives with a bang at the Arthur Andersen Summer Ball in 2000. We had heard a little about you from Chris (very little in fact), so we were looking forward to meeting you. I seem to remember a great evening was had and it was lovely to meet you. You certainly made an impression, Tim particularly remembers you borrowing the bucking bronco owners trousers so that you could ride his horse (Chris was not impressed) and also the moment that Chris accidently managed to pull down your dress whilst dancing with you (surely one of Chris’s finest moments).

As your relationship flourished with Chris we met up several times over those coming years and it was great to see you both move into your new home in Birmingham and we spent some great times with you both.

We shared several hilarious New Years Eve’s which seemed to always involve so much laughter and alcohol and normally a few fancy dress outfits. I particularly remember yours and Dave Whatley’s matching Scooby Doo outfits.

We will never forget the outcome of you and Tim conspiring to convince Chris that we where holding a tarts and vicars partly in reverse. Poor old Chris turns up to our house in a full on ladies outfit to be greeted by all of his friends dressed in casual outfits. To say he did not look amused was an understatement!!! You were always so much fun to be with and Tim and I both always looked forward to seeing you both.

It was with great pleasure when our youngest daughter Isabel was born that we asked you both to be god-parents to her. I know all three girls have loved spending time with you and will cherish their memories of you.

We both knew you would eventually get married and I know that Tim was very honoured to have the privilege to be Chris’s best man at your wedding. I remember seeing you in the Church and wow you looked so beautiful, your dress was gorgeous and you looked so happy. Chris also looked so proud that day to have you as his wife. Its funny we both remember the day so clearly still, it really was so very special to be part of your wedding day.

I remember meeting up with you and Chris and our tribe at a pub to see you before you gave birth for the first time. We sat in the garden and talked all afternoon about your excitement and apprehension about giving birth and being parents. So we were so excited to here not long after that lunch that you had given birth to a little boy named Seb. And what proud, fantastic parents you were when we next met up.

Then came your move to Bristol, we still remember coming to visit you in that freezing cold house, I am sure it was warmer outside, but it was great to see you both settled and to meet Seb again. You had started to do some Art and it was great to see you both so happy. I was always, and in fact still am, amazed at the wonderful paintings that you did. Tim particularly liked the one you did for our new home which sits proudly on our bathroom wall over our roll top bath, the girls used to call it the painting by Charly of the two mountains, which now the girls have realised weren’t mountains after all!

We kept in touch over the next two years, but never really seeing enough of you, life just always seemed so busy. Then came your move to Portishead. And we were pleased that you were to become a mummy again this time to a little girl Olivia. Tim and I remember the first time we saw you as a family at our house that summer and it was such a special memory to see you all together so happy.

We all enjoyed our weekend with you in your new home what a beautiful spot you found a gorgeous house, you both seemed so happy and Olivia and Seb were growing up fast. But it was great to catch up with you all. All your plans for Seb starting school and Olivia settling into nursery, Chris settled at work and you looking and being so content as a mummy.

Charly you are such a wonderful, kind, very beautiful friend, wife and mummy. We have so many happy memories which we have shared with you, Our wedding, your wedding, Christenings and some great New Years parties and weekends, the girls particularly remember Bristol Zoo and Kite flying as well as our lovely walk along the Pier in Portishead. I have so many memories another one that comes to mind was your hen weekend, which was such great fun.

You will always be our Queen of the Karaoke/microphone hogger. Many evenings were spent with several bottles of wine and particularly you and Tim singing on singstar. I even remember Tim going out to buy cordless microphones before you stayed one weekend so that you could dance and sing!!!

Seb and Olivia, if you would ever like to talk about all the memories we have of your mummy, we will always be here to talk to you and spend time with you as you grow up. We will also be here for your Daddy to help as friends in anyway we can along yours and his journey. We are both privileged to have had you Charly as very special friend.

With much love always,

Abby and Tim