Tuesday, June 21, 2011

15 years and counting...

17 years ago I went on a girly holiday to Greece. I wasn't looking for romance and was fed up by drunk male holiday-goers trying all sorts of cheesy chat up lines. When I was approached in a nightclub in the early hours of the morning and offered a drink I turned it down flat. Then feeling cheeky I turned back to the man offering and said yes, I was thirsty and would like a bottle of water. I watched him queue at the busy bar and when he returned I drank it down in one, said thanks and walked away. Little did I know that I would meet the same guy the following night in a restaurant and find him quite charming. And that on introducing myself he would look me square in the eye and say he knew who I was, he had bought me the water the night before...

8 months later, living in two different countries and having met only 6 times he proposed. I accepted before he could finish asking me. I was 21 and many people had opinions on how young I was, how little I knew this man. Luckily my parents and close friends thought he was wonderful and told me to ignore the doubters and follow my heart. Following my heart led me down the aisle a year later. The following day I packed everything I owned into the boot of his car. We left my parents home with family and friends crying and waving as we drove away to catch the ferry to the UK. A new beginning in a country where I knew no-one but Byron. It was a leap of faith that I jumped into feet first and eyes tight shut.

The last 15 years have been a whirlwind of adventure. Could I have imagined that we would wake on this Wedding Anniversary on the other side of the world? That three kids would pile into our bed to eat croissants and strawberries with us as we opened cards? That we would drop our 2 youngest kids to their school in the gum trees and then drop a teenager to a big High School nearby? That we would spend the day together, drinking coffee, walking through Newcastle, watching the waves crash to the shore while we toasted each other and the next 15 years!

The last 15 years have brought so much to our lives, wonderful celebrations and heartache too but through it all we have shared those times together, side by side.

I'd like to think that we have honoured our wedding vows and had lots of fun too and that we will continue to do so for many, many years to come.

12 comments - click here to leave your comment:

  1. What a beautiful love story! It sounds like you have had some wonderful adventures. We're very happy to have met you and your lovely family. We hope you had a great day today and wish you all the best for the next 15 years and beyond!

     
  2. Oh Gina! What a gorgeous love story. Thanks so much for sharing it. J x

     
  3. That is so beautiful. Congrats on the 15 years.

    ~ Mona : )

     
  4. Happy Anniversary Mr & Mrs B. What a gorgeous collage of you two lovebirds! Heres to the next 15. Congratulations xxxxxxx

     
  5. Congratulations Gina and Byron and what a wonderful story and collage of photos. You look really happy as a couple.
    However....I have to ask is that a green Irish jersey I see Byron wearing??? What a great influence us women have over our men hey?
    x

     
  6. wow congrats, the photos are gorgeous!

     
  7. This is a great love story, and very moving. When I read stories like this I start believing in love and marriage ...

     
  8. Mrs Crummy must be so proud of you!! I love the way you write, so personable and fresh.

    Gorgeous story....just shows how things can work.

    Congrats xxx

     
  9. Your story and the photographs made me smile this morning...Happy Anniversary! :)

     
  10. Happy anniversary. I love your story and am so glad 15 years has been good to you.

     
  11. Congratulations! I want to hear more of your love story!!! Smooches from Texas! xo,Gina

     
  12. Hi again! I am getting caught up on reading since I'm slow at work tonight. Belated congratulations on your 15th Wedding Anniversary. I am so happy for you and your family. It brings tears to my eyes seeing that others are as happy in life as I am. You seem like such a wonderful family and I am so happy to have been able to share life with you through blogs. My wife and I just recently celebrated 3yrs in May with our 3 boys and little baby girl. I can't wait to see what the next 15yrs brings for us as well. Happiness is what I wish for you and your family for well past the next 15yrs of your lives. Congratulations again.
    Jim Valentine