Say yes to the flesh!
I’d always dreamt of getting hitched in a puffy, white dress. Then I met Mr Right... Anca Arsene, 30
Smoothing down my jacket, I followed my friend Raluca, then 19, to our lane at the bowling alley.
It was October 2008, and she’d invited me to come along with her mates.
There, she introduced me to a tall lad.
‘This is Valentine,’ she beamed. ‘How about you guys go on the same team?’
She couldn’t have been more obvious if she’d tried.
This wasn’t just a friendly game.
It was a blind date!
Valentine and I smiled awkwardly at each other.
Soon, though, sparks were flying along with the bowling balls!
But when he dropped me off at my home, Valentine left without asking for my number.
‘His loss,’ I muttered, jamming my key in the door. Then... My friend called to say Valentine was interested in going out again. I was thrilled!
We spent the evening chatting and he kissed me goodnight at the end of it.
We started dating – and, soon, he invited me over to his.
Valentine answered the door to me in his dressing gown. Very casual! I thought. Then, when I followed him into the room and sat on the sofa next to him, he started to undo his robe.
My eyes snapped at once to his bare chest.
I’d been expecting things to get heated – but not as soon as I walked in!
‘You don’t mind, do you?’ he quizzed. ‘Mind?’ I asked, confused. ‘Me, being naked around the house,’ he explained. ‘It’s just more comfortable.’
I reckoned he was trying it on.
Then Valentine explained that he was a nudist.
‘I’m always nude at home,’ he told me.
Sitting there starkers, he grinned. I found myself smiling, too. Gorgeous fella, in the buff... What wasn’t to like?! I was tempted to join him. But a break-up months earlier had really knocked my confidence.
Valentine was so sweet and kind, though, I soon threw caution to the wind.
I shed my clothes – and my inhibitions, as well!
After that, we were naked at home all the time. Just like
Gorgeous fella in the buff… What wasn’t to like?!
any other couple, curled up together watching films – only without the PJS!
In 2009, Valentine asked if I’d consider trying it in public.
By now, I was as comfortable in my skin as he was in his.
‘Why not?’ I chirped.
I’ll try anything once...
We booked a summer camping trip to Croatia, planning our stay around a cluster of nudist beaches.
Packing my case, I flung my bikini to the side.
‘Won’t be needing you!’ I laughed out loud.
When we arrived, Valentine put the tent up, then stripped.
My heart was racing as I did the same.
I eyed the opening of the tent. If I dived, I could make it in before anyone caught a glimpse of my bare boobs.
Valentine had other ideas, though, stepping out in the buff to pinch my bum.
Soon, I was giggling so much that I didn’t even notice my lack of clothes.
I followed Valentine as he chatted to other naturists.
Then we walked hand in hand to the nearby beach. Nobody stared or pointed. It felt so wonderful. From that moment on, I never looked back.
And, when Valentine and I decided to get married in March 2018, I knew exactly the sort of wedding that I wanted.
Or, more specifically, the dress code.
‘What do you think about birthday suits only?’ I suggested to Valentine.
‘You read my mind,’ he grinned happily to me.
My friends and family wouldn’t be keen, so I decided to have two weddings.
One on a beach, just the two of us. In the buff! And a big, traditional affair with the fancy white dress and my dad walking me down the aisle.
My parents were supportive.
‘As long as I get to see you married at least once, I’m happy,’ my mum said.
That summer, two of our friends clambered down to a secluded beach in Sardinia with Valentine and me.
We’d kept the guest list small, inviting only my best friend Andrea, 29, and her boyfriend Vlad, 29.
They’d agreed to go nude for the special occasion.
As the sun started to set, the four of us dropped our clothes on the rocks.
Andrea fixed a silk veil I’d made at home into my hair.
It was the only scrap of clothing between us all!
I’d always imagined myself getting married in a princess-style dress.
But, with the sand squishing under my feet and the sun still warm on my bare skin, I knew I’d made the right choice.
Natural, comfortable...free from the restrictions of a traditional outfit. Valentine and I beamed as we took our vows.
Vlad, who’d been ordained on the Internet, officiated at the ceremony.
We took plenty of photos, but sent only the most tasteful ones to our parents.
We loved every square inch of each other, but I’m not sure my parents would feel the same!
Four months later, we travelled to our home city of Bucharest, where our families watched us confirm our vows at the local restaurant.
But, to Valentine and I, our naked kiss on the beach will always be our first as husband and wife.