First things First!

I'm abit unsure where to go from the first post! I feel like I should start from the begining and at the same time our family has reached a milestone with our firstborn starting school this week and I just want to skip to the current chapter we're in. 

So our little family came to be when James and I were married in my mothers birth country Samoa, in the village of Va'vau on the beach at the Va'vau beach fale resort on Saturday 17th September, 2005. 

Before that day Jim and I had been engaged since September 4th, 2004. Prior to that we had dated since June 27th, 2003. So pretty much dated for a year, engaged for a year and today married 6 years 5 months and counting!

How did you meet?

I always dread this question. I don't know why, maybe because we met at work, and I think people would think 'how sad, she clearly didn't have a life outside of work.' when actually the complete opposite was the truth. 

Outside of work my life revolved around Basketball and if I wasn't playing, coaching or training then I was busy with responsibilities at church and if I wasn't there I was at work. Although really it was more just basketball work basketball, basketball work. I even took leave to play games on the weekend or took half day sickies when I needed to be at practice that night because we had an important game coming up or I had to coach my girls. I spent alot of time on public transport those days because I didn't have a car! So I PT'd (Public transport) it everywhere or walked! I worked for M>tram back then now Yarra Trams so I've had free public transport for the last 9 plus years.

Anyways long story short Jim and I were both Revenue Protection officers (RPO) basically a ticket inspector for the trams. We checked tickets, and if an offence was detected under the Transport Act we would report it to the Department of Transport which pretty much meant $100 fine for the offender. These days I think the fine is $150 but not sure. lol and to be honest don't really care much to know! ha!

Jim and I were the youngest RPOs at the time, so naturally we would hang out in the TV room during lunchtime. We used to joke around alot! Sarcasm is one of the things we have in common!

First Date

Our first date if you ask Jim was a movie at the Crown Casino 'Fast and the Furious' although I went along that day with the mindset that I was hanging out with a mate from work. He was probably the clown of the workplace! Sorry babe! I think our first date was going to St Kilda beach for Fish and Chips a week later.

As I said I was busy! So to spend time together outside of work, Jim used to come and watch me coach my girls (under 14s) who played rep bball on Fri nights. Then I would send him off before my own practice started because I was too shame at the thought of having my boyfriend watch our practice session. 

To give you an idea of my schedule.

Monday nights - 7pm to 9pm Volleyball Training (I only trained with them but didn't play bc games were on Saturdays and I already had bball games in the evening.

Tuesday nights - Coach U14s 5pm - 6:30pm and then Snr womens practice 7pm - 9pm

Wednesday nights - Volleyball practice and basketball game.

Thursday nights - Same as Tuesday night.

Friday nights - Coached representative u14 girls bball. This often meant driving all over Melbourne. 

Saturday nights - Basketball Game

Sundays - Church / Family time.

In between those set commitments which were all in the evening I worked full time and some mornings I would get up early in the mornings and either go to the gym or for a run! 

I know it sounds unbelievable. If you were to see me today you would not believe I used to be that active and small LOL! True Story though. I was wearing a BODYSUIT back then when we played I had no choice.. I think my mom still has it somewhere! Hideous! lol 

First Love

So after a few weeks Jim said he loved me! hahaha! I always tease him about that! Well I'm not sure if he did or was just blinded by my beauty ha! but I will admit, Jim was very sweet and still is today... I know Aww! Well anyone who knows me, knows that I'm not the most romantic person out there! Just Saying! lol But my husband swept me off my feet. (He will be laughing hysterically when he reads this).

He was there for me through some tough times that my family was going through at the time. 

I often felt alone and stressed at the time, however being the eldest in my family, I tried to well thought I needed to be strong for my mother and younger siblings. I really feel he came into my life when I needed him the most. He was a shoulder to lean on, and a good distraction from other matters going on in my life, he was there for me when I needed some outside support. 

I remember one morning in particular I called him up and I asked if he could come and get me straight away. He was there at my house within an hour. I lived in the Western Suburbs and Jims family live in the South Eastern side of Mebourne. It was exactly a one hour drive to each others houses! Anyways he came picked me up and we were on our way can't remember where to but after 10 minutes we had broken down! hahahaha I remember laughing about it but Jim being Jim was not impressed with his white holden! We eventually ended up at his house and after a chat to his parents, in true Jimmy style we went out that afternoon car shopping and he test drove one and he brought it! SEM! A 2002 model practically brand new tiger coloured holden.

I should've known right there and then that he was an impulse buyer and not great with money!  He did need a new car but I had never known anyone to just decide to go car shopping one morning and by the end of the day had brought another car. I also remember him asking me for my opinion and I was like it doesn't matter what I think it's your car. He's response was "yeah I know but I want you to like it and be comfortable in it" I know.. aww!

First Breakfast

So after a year or so of dating, Jim and I spent alot of time together. I spent time with some friends of his who became a second family to me. Aunty Ann welcomed me into her home, and I began spending lots of weekends at her house. She has a beautiful daughter Amanda who's a couple of years younger then me, and a son Jonathan who was like another little brother, he was cheeky then and still is now! He is the same age as my baby sister Nels.
One Saturday morning, I was awoken by a tap outside Amandas' bedroom window (Manda wasn't home much those days lol so I made myself comfortable and slept in her bed all the time! Thanks Mands) So it was about 7:30ish or some ridiculous hour - I realised it was James!
I don't remember much except that he came into the room and asked me to get up and get ready we were going to breakfast!
I remember thinking are you for reals?! It's too early for breakfast and we had never had breakfast together before, why now. Plus I was tired!
Jim was in a cheerful mood more so then usual but I didn't really take notice because I was still abit annoyed at being woken up so early just to eat!
We arrive at Studley Park drive in Kew and I'm thinking what are we doing here, at the time our family dentist was in Kew so I recognised the area.We were going to the Studley Park boathouse for breakfast!
It was so good I had the lot lol mushrooms, bacon and eggs, spinach, sausage, tomato with sourdough! It's amazing what you can remember lol
After breaky we walked down past some row boats and I commented on how they were pretty fun I had been in a row boat before with my parents and siblings. Jim said 'well do you want to go in one?' I was like yeah cool no worries! So we get in the boat and I'm excited thinking I could get my rowing on and Jim says 'no, I'm going to do it' I was like we both can and Jim insisted he take both oars!
So I let him wondering how long he would last. Well let's just say that another couple passed us twice and there was a bridge probably about 15 metres away, and we didn't make it. We kind of got half way and the facial expressions Jim was making I think he was going to pass out! His face was bright red and he was really exerting himself... hahahaha I was laughing so hard because I kept saying 'here give me an oar it will be easier with us both rowing' and he kept saying... "no (exhale) I'm (exhale) o-k! (exhale) amongst some very pained expressions. It was just so funny the couple that passed us twice had been up to the bridge had turned around and had come back again ... and we almost got in their way bc somehow we had stopped going straight and was going sideways! In the end he just stopped and said 'I wanted to get to the bridge but here will do.'
At that point he expressed his love for me (can't remember the exact words!) still chuckling to myself about how far we got or lack of distance we went!  I saw him pull out a small black box and he opened it with a beautiful classic Princess cut diamond. I can't really even remember the words he used for the proposal. To say I was shocked was an understatement. We had talked about it, but I can usually read Jim and his intentions even before he realises them hehehe so I was shocked but I did say yes! but no tears... Just big smiles and feelings of great love for this guy who had almost rowed himself to a heart attack just for me!
I was still laughing on the way back in the boat which thankfully he didn't have to do much because the current pushed us back to the shed. It was our first breakfast together, one I will never forget.The rest I guess as they say is History! James has always been my biggest support person, even when I make choices he may not necessarily agree with. He makes me feel loved everyday and tells me everyday. He's my first love, my bestfriend. Love you babe! xx