Patriotic couple celebrate St George's Day anniversary

Apr 23 2008 By James Cartledge

PATRIOTIC lovebirds Mark and Rachel Bruerton were marking their third wedding anniversary today - with a slap-up breakfast in true St George's Day fashion.

The lovebirds were painting Birmingham red and white as they tucked into a traditional English fry-up three years after tying the knot on April 23, 2005.

The couple waited three years to marry because they were so determined to have their red and white themed wedding when St George's Day fell on a Saturday.

And unemployed Mark said only the fact that they had two daughters stopped them calling either of their children George.

"We are loving married life," said the 28-year-old. "It does my head in when people say getting married changes things because everything is just as good for us as it ever was.

"Every St George's Day, we celebrate our anniversary by heading down to the Full English cafe in Kingstanding for a traditional breakfast.

"We are as patriotic as ever and I'm even involved with two eight-a-side football teams called St George."

Mark and Rachel, a 22-year-old housewife, were married at Birmingham Register Office.

The bride wore a white dress teamed with red roses and Mark donned a tie covered in cross of St George flags.

Mark also surprised Rachel on their big day by having her driven to the ceremony in a luxury Mercedes bedecked with red and white ribbons.

Now living at Faulkner's Farm Road, Erdington, the couple's two children are four-year-old Shannon and Jodie, aged 23 months.

"If we ever have a son, he will definitely be called George," Mark said.

They will also celebrate their third anniversary by watching comedy duo French and Saunders at the Birmingham Hippodrome.