A DATE TO REMEMBER

Well, it's 19 years, today, since Mr W and I first shared a significant evening in each other's company.

It wasn't quite what you'd call 'a date', not even a first meeting since we'd already met before on various occasions with mutual acquaintances. It was more in the nature of a getting together in a pub - the Sydney Arms in Chislehurst, for those who like historical facts - for a drink and a chat about various people in our lives (and known rather too well to us both) who had left us hurt and confused. However it started out, it ended up with both of us speculating on the possibility - likelihood, even - of our getting together...

And so, as can happen, one thing led to another and not long afterwards we began a relationship that's sailed (sometimes lurched, but mostly sailed) along for almost two decades.

Thanks, David, for all the loving support and encouragement over those years and - in more recent days - for your patience and tolerance in coping with my various disabilities. I hope we never forget what it was -- whatever it was! -- on that day, nineteen years ago, that brought us close enough to move closer...

And guess what, friends? We've got something very special lined up by way of a celebration today! Yep, I'm spending the day at King's College Hospital being assessed for a hernia operation on Thursday!

Still, next year...