We're getting married (finally)!

Who knew agreeing to lead a tour of the Victoria Rooms for the potential new Music Grad intake at Bristol University would lead to a chance meeting with a rather more skater/baggy jeans version of Fred (I'll also offer up I also had frizzy curly hair which was turning yellow from years of highlights). Bringing up the stragglers in the tour meant Fred and I had the opportunity to strike up a conversation and luckily for me, Fred was not offended by me telling him guitar was not a real instrument! According to Marianne (and sorry for abandoning you that day), the next couple of hours were spent with Freddie and I deep in conversation and I remember being shocked at how easily we were able to just discuss any topic with no stilted pauses. Knowing Freddie had accepted a place at Bristol, we added each other on FB in case Fred had any questions on which hall to choose etc. 5 days later, someone knocked over my cello and Freddie happened to be on FB for me to vent my frustration (me vent my frustration - never!) That was the green light for our story to start. For the next week and a half, we must have spoken every night for 2-3 hours either on MSN Messenger (RIP) or via Skype and again the conversation just effortlessly flowed and and the spark ignited...

Freddie had the use of Marianne's car while he was on his Gap Yah which offered the ease for Fred (did you know he's not a fan of public transport...) to come down for the weekend. The weekend was spent with Dominos, shopping trips to good old Hollister, many games of pool (which I believe I won) and driving across the Downs to what has to be "our song": Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus (sorry to the music gods). Apparently I made a good first impression as I had a Stig money box (did you know Fred and I love cars?!). At the end of the weekend, and given we were 18/19 and it was before dating apps were a thing, it was an easy decision to be a couple (I'm trying hard not to make this cringey)! To those who are still reading (and I really don't want to make this an essay) I'm now going to jump forward to April 2016 (skipping the rest of uni, meeting the in-laws, long distance relationship [unless you're Tess & Ben] of Birmingham to Bristol/London, accounting exams, adventures in Birmingham, Peugeot 207 accident etc).

After 6 years together with the last 3 only seeing each other every 2-3 weekends and holidaying together, I loaded my 45 inch TV box (yes, Fred, I admit I should have got a larger TV) into the Peugeot, resting on my head, and made my final journey down to Putney. A celebratory meal was had in Depot (RIP) and so began the rest of our life together. By January 2017 I was itching to buy a flat much to the resistance of Fred however I did manage to persuade him to take a look at a flat in Scott Avenue and my mum came along for the ride. It took stepping onto the balcony and looking across South London as well as spotting the Shard in the distance for us to realise we really wanted this flat. We dragged my dear father back for a second viewing and offered a few days later. After exchanging while drinking a Stein in Karlsruhe, we got the keys in July and here started our next learning experience: DIY. I won't bore you with all of our DIY / contractor experiences over the years however it has been plenty and 6 years later there are still bits and pieces to do around the flat (turns out you are never finished when you own a place) however as per usual Freddie has risen to the challenge at every step of the way!

In August 2022 Freddie finally got down on one knee. This was after a lot of "when are you going to propose", "x is engaged", "I like this ring and that ring" however for those who know Fred he can never be rushed (not least for ensuring he arrives on time to events!). We were driving around France and having the trip of a lifetime with me none the wiser. I later learnt that the reason Fred was OK on the fact we curbed a wheel on the EuroTunnel was due to him realising the significance or our trip! Fred had managed to smuggle a ring into his luggage (later to be learned it was the reason why he hadn't worn a pair of shoes in a week), to create a music playlist entitled "Bangers!" as he knew I, as the resident car DJ, would never choose such a playlist and arranged for a lovely bottle of champagne to be ready for us in our room when we arrived in the lovely, small hotel of Moulin Du Roc (please go - it's fantastic). It was worth the wait - as you will know once Fred sets his mind to things, he always delivers 110% and the day was just perfect with the memories and also the emotion and feelings so present by both of us in that moment continuing to stay with me (and Fred) today and for the rest of our lives.