How We Met

"So, I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you."

- Paulo Coelho

Rose Bay, New South Wales

At 23 years old, I became an Au pair for a family in Sydney, Australia.

The father, Australian; mother, American. Two teenage boys with no interest in a nanny were lined up to be my responsibility. From helping with homework to cooking and everything in-between, I became their second mum. I was invited to be a "live-in" nanny, where I would reside in the "nanny flat" of the 6,000 square meter property. This place was a mansion, who had people like Nicole Kidman and Will Smith renting it for up to $40,000 AUD per week. Kanye West rented the mansion to record a song for one of his albums. If you look closely you'll find "Barford Estate" in the credits of “Why I love you” featuring Mr. Hudson. He recorded in the room with the best wallpaper. We used to turn paparazzi away at the gate. They would be calling for Angelina Jolie, she was there a month prior touring the property as a potential rental.

It was a place of absolute magic for me, really. Don't get me wrong, I will never live-in nanny again. But, this property I had the privilege of living on was one of the top estates in Sydney, in a very wealthy part of the city. I became accustomed to daily walks to Double Bay, a town nicknamed the "Beverly Hills of Sydney." Surrounded by multi-cultural people, cafés and shops, my eye's were widened, perspective blossomed. I love refinement and the experience of blended cultures.

It was definitely a place of the privileged.

 Most of my days consisted of time spent on the property. It was big enough to be it's own small town and had enough staff to make it such. It was where I met my husband. In fact, he was the first person I met the very morning I woke up in Sydney on a warm September morning. We were introduced in the corridor of the main house- he in his painting clothes and me in my yoga pants. There he was, a Sydney boy with a smile that took your breath away. We didn't fall in love at first sight, we became friends immediately.

I turned to him with so many questions. How to get tickets for the bus, where to go and what to see. I trusted him, something I find hard to do with someone I just met, or anyone for that matter. He was genuine, caring, and kind. He really cared, he always does. He helped me feel grounded and settled there, he made it known very early on that I had someone to call on if I ever needed anything.

We saw each other every day at Barford. He would often buy me lunch or bring me brownies from the Pasta Pantry up the road. I didn't have a car and didn’t have time to leave the property for lunch, so he was my anchor to the outside world. He would notice things, like the empty coconut water bottle in my trash bin. The next day he bought me one for lunch without asking. He was aware, picking up on cues and learning about me.

I appreciated that.

I was curious about him, initially assuming he was 35 from his impeccable genes. As we got to know each other I learned he was 10 years older than that, which led to the notion that there was no way we could actually be together. I had a doubt about his age (as he did about mine), and back then, I thought that doubt meant don't. We developed a friendship, while we secretly courted one another. But it was friends, for now.

One day mid-November I was set up by the family to go on a date with a personal trainer and "meditation type" guy who was awarded Mr. Bondi a few years prior. Mr. Bondi is a beauty pageant for men in Bondi, New South Wales. He was handsome, but nothing to rave on about.

So, I went out on a date with him. He rode in on his motorcycle to pick me up. Too bad, one of Sydneys regular occurring thunderstorms tumbled in and we opted for the families car. We drove down to Bondi (his pick of course) and got some dinner (and a lot of shots) at the Bavarian Bier Cafe.

We actually had quite a bit in common regarding our philosophical beliefs and some values. He spoke about his ex-girlfriend most of the time. He continued to order us shots of god knows what. I think his goal was to show me a good time and then send me on my way, so his favor was done for the family.

Mid-way through the night I couldn't get "that painter" out of my head, I texted him. I can't even remember what I wrote but we continued to text throughout the rest of my date with Mr. Bondi.

It suddenly became very clear who I had feelings for and there was really no way to hold that back any longer.

Our romance began.

For our first date, we went to a little pizzeria on Victoria Street in Darlinghurst. One night at 7pm, he asked me if I wanted to go out and get "tea and ice cream." That was my first real understanding that Australian English is NOT the same as American English. So, we went out for tea and ice cream. Which I soon found out was actually an evening meal and then some ice cream. I mean, who calls "dinner" tea?

We had a really sweet time. I was comfortable considering it was a first date, and the first time we were alone together. I felt like me. His presence was warm and it was easy to be myself. We enjoyed each other. Something inside just felt right.

He dropped me off, gave me a slight kiss on the cheek and said goodnight. Then it appeared, that rush of love was undoubtably alive in my body. I walked into my flat with a big smile on my face, and a pulse in my belly that I had never felt before.

I felt at home.

It's now 5 years later. We're married and made a move across the ocean so Stefan could pursue a career in tennis (his first love). Our romance is a romance I will never forget. The best one I have ever had, and it continues to deepen every day. Some days are hard, and some are easy. Some days don't feel like romance and that’s a reality of choosing to be in a monogamous relationship. Yet, at the beginning and end of everyday, he is my home.

And no matter where we are in the world, I will always remember that I feel most at home, with him.