Double knot

By Rebecca Codey
Volume 48, No. 15, August 24, 2006

CPL David Toms and wife Michele renewed their vows in a ceremony on Picnic Bay headland in Townsville last month. With the couple are Felicity Walker, Amanda Wilmott, Bradley Toms, Michael Arnold and Adam Wilmott. Photo by SGT Belinda Tottle

WHEN CPL David Toms returned home to his wife and children after a tour of duty in Iraq he was looking forward to being best man at his stepson’s wedding.

However, David received the surprise of his life as he waited by his stepson’s side on Townsville’s Picnic Bay headland on July 9 — he was the groom.

Michele, his wife of almost 10 years, wanted to show the devoted family man just how much she loves him, by saying “I do” again.

While David was deployed to the Middle East, Michele, a family daycare mum, enlisted the help of their family, friends and many people within the Townsville community to plan the service to renew their vows. And despite a few close calls, David was none-the-wiser until moments before his bride walked down the aisle.

“I was gobsmacked,” David said. “All of my family was in on it — my three wonderful sons and my beautiful daughter — and so many people gave so much of themselves to make this day special. It is a testament to Shelly’s wonderful, generous and giving nature that they did this so freely.”

Michele’s elaborate plan gave her focus during David’s six-month deployment and was inspired in part by her desire to “get him back” for years of surprises.

“David is the master of surprises, so this was my chance — and I did it in style,” Michele said.

Emotions ran high as Michele was escorted by her father along a red-carpet aisle. David wiped away a small tear as he waited for her, then whispered a few choice words for only Michele to hear.

“You couldn’t get the smile off his face, it was wonderful,” said Michele, who wrote her vows and took David’s from a Mother’s Day card he had sent her. “It was a perfect day.”

David is based at 322CSS, RAAF Base Tindal, and his wife and children live in Townsville, which is extremely difficult for the close family.

“All of my kids, including the daycare kids, can’t understand why I have to be away for so long, but maybe I’ll be posted back to them soon.

“I am fortunate that Shelly and I have such a belief and trust in each other that enables our relationship to stay strong and stand up to the distance.”

The supplier is not shy in talking about the love he has for his wife.

“To have found my best friend, life partner and soulmate in one perfect package humbles me beyond words,” he said. “I have been truly blessed to marry Shelly not only once, but twice.”

An Air Force member of 17 years, David loves his job and finds it rewarding. Among the highlights of his career so far are deployments to East Timor in 2000 as part of the Air Load Team at Comoro Airfield, and his most recent duty in the Middle East. “It’s rewarding and challenging, and it is exciting to be able to put into action everything we train so hard for,” he said.

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