Nicole's World: 15 Years ago on this day..........

On the 9th May 1996 I went to a concert that changed my life as the man who took the seat next to me that night was to become the most important person in my life. It was the night I met Leigh. I even thought to myself that night as we were chatting 'wouldn't this be funny if this is the person I am meant to be with and end up marrying - what a way to meet!'

Our first summer together 96/97 & our first of many animal encounters

A week later you sent a rose and a card to my work (I thought you may have done this all the time, just because you seemed so nice that night!!) I called you to thank you and for the next 6 weeks we spoke on the phone and you always asked me out every time and every time I turned you down becuase I knew if I saw you again you would be as nice as you appeared to be on that night and my illusions again would be shattered. After 6 weeks of calls I finally gave in and agreed to go to dinner with you, I knew it would more than likely not go well and I would never see you again and the calls would stop etc... and we could move on.

The day of our date I was so nervous for some reason all I ate that day was a banana, I went to the movies to kill time & distract myself and saw Up close & personal. When you arived to pick me up and I came out to meet you I thought my legs would buckle under me with nerves. I decided on that date I would be very honest about everything, my likes/dislikes, what I wanted from a relationship etc.... I was pretty sure my honesty would put you off but we had a great meal and kept chatting. On the drive back home you asked me out again to which I said "You want to see me again?" in surprise after all I had said that evening. You told me later you thought that meant I did not want to see you again.

Our 1st anniversary 9 May 1997

You spent all week in Brisbane and me on the Gold Coast, we started talking everynight on the phone and would go out once a week, then twice the following week auntil a few weeks in we were spending as much time together on weekends as we could. I was cautious and thought you were to good to be true, you were patient and proved to me time & time again what a wonderful person you were.

Just minutes after you proposed to me

Feb 14 1998 " now every February you'll be my valentine"

12 years ago today I became your wife. I could not wait to see you and the only nerves I had were about walking down the aisle and being the center of attention. All the months of planning & work we did together for that day just flew by.

We have been through so much together, some hard & difficult times but also many wonderful times. To this day you are still so supportive & loving and I would not know what to do if you were not a part of my life. As Kelly Clarkson says "My life would suck without you'. I never knew what happiness was until I met you. You are not just my husband, you are my best friend. I hope & pray the hard stuff we are dealing with at present will result in a happy ending for us. There are not enough words to express how I feel about you - I hope you know.