Spider finally catches Angel in his web

MOMENT: The eyes have it. Angel and Spider share a special moment at the end of their commitment ceremony.

A magical love story spanning nearly four decades had its sequel in Greytown this week when a Spider caught an Angel in his web and vowed never to let her go.

Bruce (Spider) Oppatt and Veronica (Angel) Butler exchanged vows and rings in a Commitment Ceremony held at Cobblestones Museum 36 years to the day from when they fell in love at first sight.

Fittingly, their ceremony was held in a building that - like their love - has endured for a very long time, being Greytown's first Methodist Church which opened in 1865.

For both, getting to the altar to commit themselves to each other had been a rocky road that began with an engagement in 1978 which was put asunder by the then Social Welfare Department.

To cut a long story short, Spider and Angel became estranged through no fault or desire of their own but never got over the loss of their young love and years later - having lived through four marriages between them - they met again.

The spark was not only still there, it ignited their passion and in 2012 the couple were reunited and living together in Carterton.

On Tuesday at Cobblestones, in front of their best mates, they - to all intents and purposes - tied the knot that had remained as single strands for years.

As celebrant Gaye Gough called on Spider and Angel to voice their declarations of commitment to each other Spider took a tissue and leaned forward to wipe a tear from Angel's cheek.

Soon after it was her turn to return the compliment as he too fell victim to the high emotion and charm of the occasion, as did the guests.

Mrs Gough described the ceremony as being the " end of your 36-year engagement ".

"In so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in harmony, and have given and received rings as a physical commitment to each other, it is my great pleasure to now send you forth into the happiest days of your lives," she said.

Addressing Angel at the altar Spider said cupid's arrow had struck 36 years ago followed by a long period in the wilderness until their dreams had come true.

" We are truly soulmates in every way," he said.

The nicknames Bruce and Veronica are known by arose through their belief that Bruce encases Veronica in a web that makes her feel safe and secure whereas Veronica is an Angel to Bruce as she gives him wings.