On my second night in Aitutaki, I’m snapping beach photos from my bungalow balcony when I notice my next door neighbors come out onto their deck. We exchange names (they’re Dave & Claudia) and they reveal they are getting married the next day on the shore in front of our rooms! We chat awhile longer and then go our separate ways for dinner.

Later that night we bump into each other again on the balcony (how very West Side Story) and they kindly invite me over for some wine. I toss my chair over and tote along a glass. We spend a good hour chatting and it’s clear that Dave and Claudia are absolutely lovely people. They kindly oblige when I ask if I can take a photo to remember the evening by:

And we are joined by a scrawny, flea-infested, adorable kitten whom they have named Jackson.

It turns out Claudia is a fan of Young & Restless! This is especially fun for me because Y&R has been on my mind all day, as it’s the show’s 40th anniversary (March 26th). In fact, while reading two back issues of Entertainment Weekly the night before, I stumbled across multiple references to Y&R (I’ve subscribed to EW for years and it’s rare for them to write about soaps, so this timing felt particularly apropos). Y&R is never far from my mind!

Dave & Claudia share with me some of the paperwork they were given about their wedding, including this curious list of forbidden marriages in the Cook Islands:

So in case you were planning to marry your daughter’s daughter’s husband, just know that they frown on that in the Cook Islands.

The next evening around 5pm, Dave and Claudia make it official after 18 years together. Here’s a few scenes from their ceremony as viewed from the balcony of a nearby bungalow. Several of us gather to watch the wedding from above, with Dave & Claudia’s permission.

The officiant waits with Dave at an archway constructed of palm branches and tropical flowers.

Here’s the hotel manager Joe walking Claudia down the aisle:

That’s Tom and Wendy acting as best man & maid of honor (and also taking on additional photographer / videographer duties with their iPads and iPhones). Funny story: Dave & Claudia met Tom & Wendy four days earlier on the flight from Rarotonga to Aitutaki! They realized they live near each other in Western Canada and even had some friends in common. Upon seeing them all interact, it appears like they’ve known each other for decades. How special that they share this bond now.

The island band is fantastic. We all enjoy their music.

After the ceremony we all dine together at the Paradise Cove BBQ. It’s a reception of sorts!

Thank you Dave & Claudia for letting us celebrate this momentous occasion with you!