How we met
It was 30th December 2002. I was talking to Joanne on the phone about New Years plans as I had none. I was on my own and really feeling lonely. I enjoyed having someone in my life and had a string of broken hearts. All I ever wanted was to meet a nice guy, settle down, get married and have a family.
Anyway Jo and Dennis were building their new home in Figtree and mentioned her neighbour Chris had a brother who was single and they were having a New Years Party so she would find out if he would be there and if I could come along. As it turned out her brother (Steve) was having his own party and was friends with Jo's brother Greg. Jo had talked to Chris about setting us up on a blind date but Chris said her brother would never go for that. Hmmm ... this guy was starting to sound interesting so I rang Greg on New Years Eve to let him know the story and make sure he put a good word in not to mention my phone number. Greg had gone to school with Steve and they both worked at Cleanaway. I had been told Steve was a diesel mechanic, had his own home, never married, no kids but wanted to settle down, he loved animals and had lots of them. So why was this guy single I thought.....
Greg sms me Steves phone number a few days later and I called to ask what I was suppose to do with it. "Call him, I said you would.." was Gregs reply. "you were suppose to give him my number so he could call me..." I said. Anyway on the sunday 5th Jan. I phoned. I got the answering machine and babbled some message. Anyway a few hours later Steve called back. He was short and brief and really gave me no indication of what he was like. The whole conversation was about 10min and concluded by Steve asking if I would like to go to dinner on saturday night. I said I would like that and he said he would phone me during the week to let me know the details.
Steve phoned me wednesday evening and confirmed dinner. "Do you like seafood" he said. "Love it" I replied. " I have made a reservation at the Boat Harbour Restaurant for 6.30 is that ok" he said. "sounds lovely" I replied."well I will pick you up at 6 then"steve said...." I dont normally give guys my address for a first date but I know Greg will kill you if you do anything wrong to me" I said. We both laughed over that one. Wow a guy who can make a reservation, his manner impressed me and wanted to pick me up as well. We continued to chat for about an hour about what we did, things we liked etc. All very general but he sounded sweet.
Our first date
I had been on several first dates recently trying to met someone half decent but for some reason I was so nervous about this date with Steve. I was fine up until the day before when i had tried not to think about it then Jo rang...."what are you going to wear" "not sure have not thought about it" I said. "you have to plan what you are wearing" Jo said. She was right. I wanted to make a good impression. Angela and I met in town for lunch and to get out nails done. We saw a nice summer dress - white with blue flowers and straps. Angela approved but when I got home I was even more nervous and decided the dress was too revealing. I went back to what I had originally though of wearing - a black skirt and burgandy jumper.
I was ready by 5pm and decided to gain some moral support by talking to Jo on the phone. Steve arrived early at 5.45. I was still on the phone so cut that conversation and promised to let her know how it went. I opened the front door and did not really have a first impression. He was wearing blue jeans, a striped shirt and had short hair. He had a friendly face and nice smile. We were both a bit nervous. He was the perfect gentleman. Helped me into the truck, held doors, let me walk in first. All the little things I hoped a guy would do but only read about. We arrived early and were the first ones at the restraurant. We ordered a bottle of white wine and entrees then we ordered a fresh seafood platter for 2. At this point I was both overwhelmed but also thought he was going all out and what does he expect from me. BUT at no time did he try any moves. The conversation was flowing. We talked about all sorts of things but nothing personal. Around 11pm we were the last ones in the restraurant and left. Neither of us wanted the night to end as we were having so much fun. Steve asked where else we could go and I suggested the Brewery. It was only open till 12 so one drink was all we managed and it was really too noisy. Steve drove me home and we sat in the car talking. "Can i cook you dinner one night this week" Steve asked "that would be nice" I said. We decided on Tuesday evening as he asked when suited me. I was keen to say the following evening but did not want to seem pushy or too keen. Steve questioned my plans for the following day. I had James 5th Party at the bowling alley and then thought perhaps I would go for a walk to the beach. We exchanged mobile phone numbers and he asked me to call if I decided to go for a walk to the beach. As I went to get out of the car he made no attempt to kiss me, just wished me a good night.
The first few months
Well James party finished around 12.30pm and as I was sitting in the car I thought I would call Steve. He gave me directions and invited me up to his home. I remember thinking "cute". There was Ed the dog to greet me, Cecil the parrot, chickens in the yard, a lush garden and the pet snake. Not to mention the pig heads on the wall. This guy was interesting. We then drove to the beach, just the two of us. Steve drove his truck and I left my car at his place. We walked and talked, had an icecream and talked some more. We headed back to his place and continued talking it was getting on and asked me to stay for dinner then he suggested chinese. We went to Lims and got some take away. As it was sunday night I said I had better go as I had work in the morning. He had invited me up again for a home cooked meal on the Tuesday evening. He cooked a Chicken roll with Honey and macadamia nut stuffing. He was just so handy in the kitchen and insisted to do it all. It felt strange someone wanting to look after me for a change. We chatted on the phone a few times that week and Steve invited me to a BBQ on the saturday night. It was at his mate Grant's place with his wife Tasha and daughter. Their son was away that night. They were lovely people and I like that he wanted to show me off so early. The following week we saw each other a few times and chatted.
The following saturday (24th) after work Steve called around. He brought me a load of dirt for the back garden. He invited me to call into his parents place on the way to his house. He had a head start and I wanted to shower etc. I had also in my mind thought I might stay the night at Steves as a joke had been made on the phone during the week about what happens if I have too much to drink and Steve said I could stay over. Anyway safe to have an overnight bag in case. I called into his parents and they were really nice, friendly and easy going. it made me realise he came from a good stable background. As we left I wanted to pick up a few groceries for the dinner I was making as I offered to cook this time. Steve also wanted to get some drinks. We had our separate cars so Steve handed me a "spare set of keys" to his house in case I got there before him. Once at Steves I made a cheese platter we had a few drinks and a few more. We were too full and/or nervous to have dinner so we had a few more drinks instead. It had been 2 weeks and Steve still had not made a move so I thought perhaps I should make the first move. So it was after midnight and I was pretty tired but things were close to getting intimate and at that point i really wanted that. Thats about the time we had our first kiss. From then on we seem to spend a lot of time together. We spent the next day together then asked me to stay the following night and every day he would phone me and invite me up to his place. In the following week as I left for work he asked if I would be there when he got home. I only had the odd night at home the 2 weeks following.
Then there was Valentines Day.... I had no idea how this was going to work so I tried to keep it simple. I had a plan. i knew Steve was working afternoon shift so I was going to call in to his place and leave the card on his pillow with a few heart chocolates. What I was not expecting was the doorbell at 7am in the morning. I had stayed on my own at my place the night before. Steve turned up at 7am with a huge basket of flowers and a sweet card. I was certainly surprised.
During the day at work I could not wipe the grin off my face. I even arranged a box of chocolates on sticks to be delivered to Steve at work. After that I was staying every night. We were also planning our first holiday to Adelaide in April to visit his sister. It was moving fast but it all felt so comfortable. no awkardness, no disagreements just laughs and fun all the way. Steve was a gentleman and everyday showed me how much he cared. He would leave me fruit and yougurt on the kitchen bench to take to work, he would get up and open the gate for me. He was so caring, so gentle so sweet. It was easy to fall in love but neither of us ever said it to each other but got "that look" in our eyes every so often - so we just knew.
The week after Valentines Day I was having dramas with my car. steve wanted to check it out and go downto talk to the mechanic for me. I was pretty upset that afternoon and as I pulled into Steves carport was almost in tears. Steve asked me to move the car forward a bit while he went in to get a few tools. How or why I still dont know but the only thing I know is I ran into the wall of the house. I had put my foot flat to the floor in drive, Steve came running out he hugged me and said everything would be ok - and it was. I felt really bad but Steve just checked it all out and at midnight was panel beating the front of my car.
Our holiday was getting closer and Junior had been lonely. Steve had asked me several times to bring him up to the house but I was worried about moving in too soon and what everyone around me was going to think. Steve did not seem to worry about that and his track record showed he was not one to shack up. He had only ever had one girlfriend and that was for 5 years just after he left school. By the end of March he had sort of asked me to move in. Well if "so when are you moving all your things in" counts as an ask.... we decided that April was a busy month so when we got back from Adelaide I would start moving in while he went shooting then in May I would finally give up my house. Everything went as planned we had a wonderful time in Adelaide (click to see our holiday photos) and when we got back I had a hectic Easter moving. By Mothers Day we had it all moved, Garage sales and cleaning done,found places for everything at Steves house too. It was all very cosy and it was just our 4mths anniversay (not that we count the months - well I do). My father had even started to deliver bread rolls on sundays.
And the rest as they say.... is history !