Former national netball shooting ace/captain Vasiti Vugakoto married the love of her life Peni Setuata in Tubou Village in Lakeba , Lau last month.

And she was happy to finally marry the one she loves after 27 years.

“For me personally, I met my husband here in my mum’s village during our high school days,”she said.

“It was where we first laid eyes on each other.  And to spend our Christmas and New Year holidays and having our wedding here bring back those happy memories.

“We had our moments and we moved on with our lives and both got married but when my husband died, I moved on with life with my children. And after one year we met again I think destiny brought us together and rekindled that old relationship.

“Last year we had the traditional lakovi  (traditionally seeking her family’s consent) then last month we tied the knot.

“The happiest moment is for me is bringing my children to my mum’s village and also for them to witness a traditional wedding.  They were not here when I wedded their father but for them to witness it, it’s simply amazing.  Having a wedding in the village is totally different as it has its special, unique and significant moments.

“I missed having my friends because they were back in Suva but they wished us well.  This is also good for my children because they have travelled the world and to come back to the islands for the wedding and to witness all this traditional custom is something new for them and I’m glad they are happy,” Vugakoto said.

Originally from Batiki, Lomaiviti and maternal links to Tubou, Lakeba,  Lau, Vasiti says, this was  a long-time commitment.

Vasiti attended Suva Grammar School while Peni was a former student of Ratu Finau Secondary School in Lakeba and Natabua High School in Lautoka.

“What I love about him is trust, caring and love. He has the unconditional love towards me and the children and for me, my children are my first priority.

“When he came into my life he showed me what real and true love is all about and how he got along with the children which made me happy.  He is a new chapter in my life especially for the children now we will keep our relationship as a family strong and also to come to the village every year to help him develop the mataqali  (clan) and the village,” she said.

Her older daughter Perina Vocea in her Facebook posting showed how much she is proud of her mum.

“On Thursday 22nd December, 2016 my Mum tied the knot for the second time, and this time I was alive to witness it. Seeing her very happy on her big day made me really happy as her new beginning was officially starting.

“For two days I followed my Mum around the village as her relatives clothed her with traditional attire that was part of the build up to a traditional wedding.  Every attire represents a part of her identity and it was an amazing experience to not only be her photographer but also learn more about her maternal family history.

“In addition, it was amazing to witness my Mum and Tu Setu gets married in the place they first met & grew up in. This wedding was the start of a new beginning & I’m really excited to see what God has planned for us.”