In December 2004 Ian turned up at my church, I recognised him from CU in the first year. I didn’t really talk to him much. A while later we got chatting a bit on a weekend away when he discovered who my brothers are (he had been to see Doug DJing). He got to know my good friends Jon and Cathy, and we all hung out together with increasing regularity.

That summer Ian decided to show some interest by mentioning that it may not be appropriate for me to move into their house as he might find it awkward. My immediate response was to run away scared as I didn’t know what to do, and I didn’t think I liked him or could like him like that.

The months pass. We continue to spend time with mutual friends and try to ignore anything that had been said that would make things strange. I continue to think that I don’t like him, and try not to think about it. I go away to London for 2 months, I begin to get very confused about what I think about Ian. Then on holiday/mission in Peru I end up sat on a long coach trip debating with myself what I think about Ian. I have gone from being certain that he is not a possibility to being totally unsure but wondering whether to give it a try.

I return from Peru to life here. I find a house. I go see friends. I see Ian and am glad. He can be rude and obnoxious, but so can I, and I like the way we get on. I decide that giving it a try is the way forward. It takes me several days to get the courage to say anything. Any time that we are alone, he ends up being super rude (maybe to keep me distant - he had been trying to convince himself that he doesn’t like me).

I end up texting him late one evening, and declare my potential interest. He nearly dies, and we organise to meet up the next day. Two hot chocolates and a very awkward conversion later we are probably ‘going out’. He skips the afternoon at work and we talk and walk and spend most the day together. I go home happy but feeling a little dazed from the surreal day.

The next week or so, people start to find out, I freak out a little (and nearly dump him) and get very confused about what I think and whether I think this has potential to continue. Time and talking and I get over it and we continue.

I survived new year away with his friends and start to think seriously about a future with him as I was becoming quite smitten. The months tick by and we get closer and start chatting about the potential of marriage, we decide it would probably be a good idea. I survived my finals and achieved the status of doctor.

While on holiday in Mull Ian and I climbed the hill behind the house and walked up along one of the rivers. We stopped for a break on a rock with small waterfalls either side. We sat chatting for a while and then he got down on one knee and asked if I would marry him. I already knew the answer was yes as he had become an indispensable part of my life.

So here we are 6 months later (it is January as I write this, or in fact just edit old posts from my blog into something for the wedding site) lots has happened in between, but it is all going well and we are still together and happy. We still have lots to learn about each other, but that is the journey we have set out on and will continue in marriage.