Surprise!!

I have been married 1 and a half months now and last week was my birthday. My new husband decided that he would do a survival class this semester and therefore, also had a compulsory camp to go to … on my birthday. Now I don’t mean to be a big whinger, it was a little sad that I also away from my family for the first time, but what Jacob did to make up for it was really a smart idea I think.

At first he had asked me if I wanted to go out on Saturday (when he got back from camp) and I thought it was a good idea. Then later in the week he asked me if I wanted to come for lunch on Thursday (the day before the camp) and I had a lot of school work and so, a little reluctantly, I accepted. Little did I know that he was planning a surprise lunch for me and at the time we agreed to meet he rode up to me on his bicycle with a large picnic basket and soft blanket to lay on. We went to a pretty park and had a fun lunch that he had taken time to plan out. This totally took my mind off the fact that he would be away for my birthday as he had surprised me before the fact and took the time to plan something fun.

I think the moral of the story is that surprises are the best. Everyone loves to feel special! And I think if there is something important your missing, it’s best to make it up before the fact. Maybe you feel like some spark is lacking from your relationship and that your partner ‘should’ (I hate that word) surprise you!! Well, who knows? Maybe your surprise and special treatment will inspire them to do something special for you too. A few hints in the right direction don’t hurt either.

Love is in the air!

So when you first get married you are generally under this impression that your new bride or husband are perfect. They are flawless and amazing in every way. Every moment you spend together is magical and you glide along on a magic carpet powered by a special mixture of love and naivety.  However, somewhere in the first year the ride starts to get a little bumpy. 

The towel is on the floor in the bathroom again, the cupboard door keeps being left open and why on earth are those socks sitting there? You find yourself looking at this perfect being and feeling confused. How can this be? Surely they must understand how these frustrating these things are? Then an awakening dawns…  They are human too!! And the things they find annoying are different from the things that annoy you. Hence the age of compromise is ushered in.  Yes perhaps occasionally the discussion may get a little heated but that’s the great thing about being married, its just so much fun to kiss and make up.  Together you create your new routines and expectations. The best part is you come to see your partner for who they really are and love and accept them. You learn to appreciate their strengths and learn from each other.  Before you know it that fart in bed will smell like love.

Things I love about being courted...

When I was younger I always imagined myself being picked up by a goodlooking and gentlemanly American, in his 'truck', to take me out on a date. We would drive around from fun place to fun place and enjoy every minute. He would treat me well and open doors for me and make me feel really special. In my mind it was the perfect idea of a date.

We all love it when a guy does those sweet things and goes out of his way to make us feel loved and adored. I think the Americans (compared to the Aussie boys, no offence guys) as a general rule, have this down (or maybe this is only stereotypical?).  Anyway, I think Jacob (my husband) was one example of how to court a lady really well. I love him for that! I don't mean that your men don't do a great job either, but I think he did key things really well!

These are some of the things he did:
- went out of his way to track me down and ask me out
- invited me out to do something fun - go hiking!
- always opened the car door and other doors for me - he still does!
- observed how the evening went, suggested a new fun idea for a date and asked me out again
-  offered to pay for things, but let me pay every now and again too!
- when we went on a group date he would spend time with me and look out for me but also give me space to come back to him

 

When we had been dating for a while he continued to be sweet and kind and would:
- always gives me the bigger half of anything
- always think of new fun date ideas to take me on
- listen to my concerns and talk to me about everything
- encouraged me to do scary things, I normally wouldn't do - like bridge jumping!

Maybe I am biased but I loved being courted, and especially by Jacob :) I love it when a guy goes out of their way to make you feel special. I am sure you all have ways you loved to be treated by guys or things you love that they do for you. You know, it doesn't hurt to tell them! They may be wondering :)

Love at first sight

When I first saw my husband, I knew there was something special about him. I knew I wanted to get to know him, I knew I wanted to see more of him, I knew those little flutters in my tummy were not from something I had eaten earlier. It was love at first sight.

I didn't know then that it was love. But I soon learned that it was.

First meetings are important. Every one. We learn something about who we're meeting and we learn about what we think and feel for them. This is no matter who we are meeting, but particularly in the 'dating prime of life' when we meet a member of the opposite sex.

What makes this funny is that my husband remembers a completely different first meeting than I do. He remembers being accosted by a crazy choir director inviting people to come to choir. He remembers thinking I was forward, confident and maybe just a little kooky. Perhaps not the best first impression, but at least he remembers it. I, on the other hand, have no recollection of this encounter. I was probably just doing the rounds of the room inviting everyone I saw.

My first memory is seeing him from across the room and instantly wanting to know him. I remember saying to my sister Anna, 'I'm going to go meet that guy'. I walked up, sparked up a conversation, and ended the conversation by putting my number in his phone under the title 'Katrina is hot'. Yeah, I was awesome. I wanted him to remember me.

I remember all the feelings, all the flutterings, all the thoughts. This was our beginning. The point the sparked a year of friendship, a year of dating, and a marriage for eternity.

Never ignore those flutterings. They're there remind you to go for what is in the end, yours. True love.

Just for fun

Just thought I'd share this super cute picture of Kristen, Katrina and Natalie. Playing dress ups in our teens. Who wouldn't want to hang out with us?

I bet you all wish you had sisters like mine!

I have been thinking a lot about what to write today and all that I keep coming back to is how much I love my sisters. They are five of the strongest, boldest, most courageous and inspiring women that I know. I have learned so much from each of them and here are just a few of the things that I have learned:

Lenora:  Life is so much better when you find humor in every situation and remember it so you can tell others later and enjoy it again! And if you are on a date and the guy is boring, poke the waiter in the bum with a chop stick!

Katrina: Take care of your family first and somehow you find time in life to finish everything and be there for people when they really need it.

Rachel: You really can be good at everything and by just being confident with who you are, you unconsciously lift the people around you. I am so glad that my brother chose to be around you permanently!

Anna: Be the author of your own life story! Life is what you make it and when you shine, you really shine.

Kristen: She is a living example of blooming where you are planted. Go where life takes you and love it!

There are so many other lessons that they have taught me and I am really glad that they have been in my life. They are all such strengths within their families, as I am sure that you have read but ultimately they love and strive to always be able to show their love to the people around them better! They are people that want their families, and particularly their husband’s lives to rock!

I have recently started a new relationship which I am really excited about. I used to have the tendency to get nervous in relationships but I think seeing them, how they come up with cute date ideas, how they keep going and look for the good even when times are tough and even seeing my little sister get married, made this time seem so much less daunting. They are pretty much the greatest people that I know!

I am sorry they aren't your sisters too but I am glad I get to share them with you through this blog!

Diary Entry #2

So the other night my husband and I planned a nice romantic evening. We hired a babysitter and ordered Thai food. With blanket in hand we headed for the beach. 

 With the stars twinkling above and the melodic sounds of the waves gently crashing we picked a secluded part of the beach.  Stretched out on the sand we chatted and ate dinner together. It was a really lovely evening. It was so nice to take some time to just be together and enjoy each other’s company. As the evening air cooled down we snuggled in enjoying the romance of the evening. 

At that moment a bright light suddenly broke the ambiance of the evening and about 2 meters away we could now see a lone man hiding in the shadows with his mobile phone pointed our direction… I’m assuming he must have received a text or call? 

Now perhaps this is all a misunderstanding and he also enjoyed spending time in that particular spot, but I fear we may have ended up the stars of some sort of post on Youtube. While generally I do enjoy the spotlight, this is not the type of debut I had in mind. So my advice to all the budding romantics out there…maybe do a quick 360 with a torch of your own!!