inner pickle

on this day...

...seven years ago, I married the most excellent man I've ever met.

We'd already been together six years, moved to London together for two of those, backpacked for another eight months and bought an apartment back in Sydney together. And had actually decided not to get married. I'd even broken that news to my mother. Then there was an amazing dinner at Rockpool, and a surprise proposal, and a ring, and who knew the whole wedding palaver could be just so much fun?

Thirteen years and I still think he is the funniest most marvellous most easy to live with person on earth. 

If I hear a great story or read something interesting he's the first person I want to tell. 

I can't imagine enjoying children this much with anyone else.

I can't imagine being so pleased to see someone every morning and every evening and still find him the single most hilarious person ever. 

Happy anniversary baby. You rock my world. 

May 17, 2003 

xxx

I do.

17th May 2003

xxx

When I met my fella, part two

Saturday rolled around after what felt like a YEAR.

And there we were, my sister Naomi and I, rocking into the party a couple of hours early to help cook pizzas. I felt like a might-be-girlfriend. An oh so hoped-to-be. He was just so damned fine.

Naomi, an excellent cook, was designated as responsible for cooking the bacon for the pizzas. I stood in the kitchen with her, continuing my flirting program with Adam, which seemed to be going quite well.

All of a sudden, the fluffy white jumper Naomi was wearing went up in flames. 

Let's be specific: MY fluffy white jumper. The floppy fluffy totally fire-attracting sleeve may have dipped in the exposed gas flame as Nomie crispied the bacon.

And whoosh. 

Fire up her back. Heading towards her hair.

And without a breath of delay, Adam leapt across me, rolled her to the floor and batted the flames out with his hands. 

Oh, my heart.

She was unharmed, let me rush in to say. A minor, minor burn on her abdomen and Justin, in fact, a doctor, confirmed her all good, leaving me to my heart. In my mouth. And my hero. Washing his hands sheepishly. 

And really, that was that.

What party? I don't really remember it. I remember sometime much later that night as the party wound down, Adam suggesting we go for a walk on the beach (out their back door - it was a kick arse pad in Queenscliff) and for being over twelve years ago I can remember pretty clearly thinking, well this is it then. This man, that chin, that smile, those arms, that chest, that bum - well, I was forever his.

There was only one small problem.

That beloved sister of mine? The one no longer wearing a jumper? Dancing up a storm and calling out to me over the balcony?

We had promised to go overseas together. We'd dreamed it, saved for it, talked about it, and had a plan.

I was supposed to leave the country the following month.

And here I was with my head on the chest of the most charismatic and attractive man I'd ever met in my life...

...to be continued!

xxx

When I met my fella

You know, digital photography is such a fantastic thing. Even more so when you go looking for old photos and they're not on your hard disk, they're in a drawer. Getting dusty and bent.

(1998)

I met Adam, my dude, in 1997. A long way before digital photography.

I'm sure I have photos of him from then but I'm lucky to find the pre-school bags easily, you know, so what are my chances?

Another day.

I LOVE how-did-you-meet-each-other stories. I've heard some crackers lately!

Ours isn't so unusual really. 

He was at college with my brother, we had a mutual friend, James a.k.a Jim Jam (currently somewhere in the Black Forest) and whenever Jim Jam wasn't hanging out with me, he was playing with this friend, Adam.  

I liked the sound of him. He was outdoorsy, sporty, fit, super intelligent and into retailing. I had nothing in common with him whatsoever. He also seemed to have a string of girls. Mostly fitting above description.

One day, when I was very very hungover, James suggested we go visit Adam at work. Adam was managing an Australian Geographic store in Darling Harbour, and we wandered in and there he was. Wearing an apron, secretly reading the newspaper, looking lovely. (Unlike me.)

The next time I saw him was at his birthday party, I went as Jim Jam's date, and there he was sitting next to his long time ex girlfriend now best buddy, (outdoorsy, sporty, fit...) and he was looking lovely.

By now I was pretty smitten. 

So I asked him out. On a date. To see my brother Tim play a gig in the city. 

There were a few old college friends and others there. It was a cool venue and a fun gig. Adam came along, he was friendly, and at the end of the gig I suggested we go for a drink, and he said no, he was tired, he was going home. And he did. Me too. In a taxi, in tears. 

And that was that. 

For about two months.

Then one day, Justin, another mutual friend (Sydney is a small town) suggested to me that Adam was dead keen on me. I recalled unsuccessful date. Apparently Adam wasn't aware it was a date, what with all those other people. And had done a store fit out the 24hrs before the gig and had not slept at all.

I was dubious. There had been no follow up. I told Justin I'd moved on. 

I got a phonecall the next day: Adam inviting me to a housewarming party at his & Justin's flat in Manly on the weekend. I said OK. I got a call the next day suggesting that because the party was a full five days away, did I want to have dinner this week? I said I'd cook him dinner, and to come over tonight if he liked.

He did. He was gorgeous. Fiercely intelligent with an incredible breadth of interests and energy and charm in spades. Can't remember what I cooked.

But after a delicious kiss goodnight I was looking forward to the weekend.

To be continued...!

(PS this story has a happy ending)

Photo by Jim Walmsley

xxx