An Unexpected Journey

Earlier this year I was braced for a hard and personally gruelling year. What I didn't expect however, was that after my return to Sydney that an old friend would reveal how she truly felt about me. It was a brave moment for her but fortunately for us both I'd harboured the same feelings toward her.

How was I to know,

That you would rise,

Like a burning angel in my eyes

As expected, this year has certainly lived up to and exceeded those difficult expectations to be undoubtedly the most challenging year of my life. However I've been fortunate to balance that by now having the most amazing woman by my side.

Fiona's love, support, advice and humour has been an unprecedented experience in my life. I've found a lover and a partner in crime with whom I've formed an indomitable team as we've had each others backs through some rather unbelievable trials.

Which brings me to Paris. We walked to Pont des Arts, the bridge across the Seine and added our padlock at the centre of the bridge, amongst the thousands of others and made a wish.

Then we kissed.

I asked Fiona what she wished for but was politely told it was a secret.

I said I would tell her what I wished for, then dropped to one knee and paused for long enough to read the unmistakeable expression of "What are you doing? Get up you idiot!" written across Fiona's face before I produced an engagement ring and asked Fiona to marry me.

Fiona said "yes!".

Before too long,

We'll be together and no one will tear us apart

Before too long,

The words will be spoken I know all the action by heart

Earlier in the night I'd slipped an engagement pendant into Fiona's pocket which she discovered and put around my neck before we celebrated with a meal opposite Notre Dame cathedral.

I still shake my head in disbelief at how two such independent people have found themselves in a place where they cannot imagine their life without the other. Yet that's where we are.

Our life going forward is going to complicated and challenging, however there will be an awful lot of love and we'll have each other's backs all the way.

Thank you Fiona, for bringing such love and light into my life.

I've found the one I've waited for

All this time I've loved you

And never known your face

All this time I've missed you

And searched this human race

Here is true peace

Here my heart knows calm

Safe in your soul

Bathed in your sighs

Want to stay right here

Until the end of time

Sometimes, dreams do come true.