It’s not often that I get really personal here, but today I feel compelled. You see, today I celebrate fifteen years of marriage with Guillaume. I feel so very blessed to be writing those words. Without getting all mushy here, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about how very lucky I am.
In honour of this special occasion, I’m sharing a little snap shot of our story, albeit with a lot of details, drama, pain and happiness left out.
Like so many relationships, it’s always fun to look back at that very moment you met, the time when you were completely oblivious of the life ahead. For us it was at the Saint Sernin Flea Market in Toulouse, France one Saturday morning in September 1998. I was about a year and a half into my European adventure and I had just purchased a Kombi van with a couple of friends to travel through France, Spain and Portugal. We stopped in Toulouse for my friend, Neil, to meet his new girlfriend that he worked with during the summer. We always say that we owe our family to Neil.
I was totally swept away by this French guy who always had an SLR camera in one hand and a novel in the other. He took me to demonstrations, cafes and exhibitions. The rest of the time we passed in each other’s arms listening to music. Radiohead’s Paranoid Android played often. It felt wildly romantic and tragic at the same time because we knew that “we” as a couple would be impossible.
After a week in Toulouse, my friends and I continued on to Spain and then Guillaume drove down to meet us in Barcelona for a few days. After he left, I did what a crazy backpacker with no responsibilities could do; I telephoned him to tell him that I would move to be with him in France!
Another visit to Toulouse on the way back, a visit by him to see me in London and I finally moved to France in January 1999. I got a job; we got a cat and settled into a life together. By the end of the year, I was back in Australia. It was impossible. We broke up.
A couple of months past, we were both miserable, we exchanged letters (yes real ones) and finally I called him with the intention once again, that I would move to France. Before I got those words out, he took over and told me that he would move to Australia. Something that I could never imagine this ‘very’ French (at the time) guy doing.
We married young. We were 26. Just babies when I think about it. But we wanted desperately to be together and well, sometimes immigration needs a bit of a commitment. It was the best thing I could have ever done, that and having our three precious children.
Last weekend we took advantage of my parents in town so that they could look after the kids. We celebrated our fifteen years by doing something a little monumental together and trekked the 19.4km Tongariro Alpine Crossing. What an experience! We’re feeling rather inspired and are now in the process of writing a bucket list of what we’d like to experience together in the next fifteen years.
Before I sign off, I thought I should mention this, mainly because of these screwed up perceptions we have of everyone’s perfect ‘life’ that we see on blogs and social media.
Our relationship hasn’t been perfect. It was really difficult for Guillaume in the early years in Australia after leaving his friends, family and country. There was a time that we grew apart and came back together. At one point we were even very close to breaking up. We’ve worked hard on our relationship but it hasn’t always been pretty. Each time we got through a rough patch, it solidified our relationship even more and it actually made it better and it’s our common goal to continue to work on it and never take it, or each other for granted.
I married the love of my life fifteen years ago today and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Here’s to growing really old and happy together.
Mel x
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Just read this Mel – to me you both sound perfect – even though you are trying so hard to explain that you are not – your problems just sound romantic and glamourous to me! Realise I am being ridiculous – here is to many, may more years of helping each other and being there for each other, much love Alison
x
Haha, we’re far from perfect Alison! But we definitely have a good thing going and I feel very blessed. x
Wonderful and it seems the two of you are very committed lovely people. That makes for an ideal couple! At least:) Sending a huge hug, Mel and sorry for coming over that little! xoxo
Thank you sweet Gudy. Oh and don’t worry, it’s been one of those crazy busy years hasn’t it? I need to dedicate more blog reading time into my schedule I think. Big hugs, M xx
The year 2000 was such a good year to get married ;) Loved reading you and Guillaume’s story and the realness of it too. That’s what life is all about <3 Here's to many more years of love and many amazing treks together!
Thank you Judith! Yes we’re planning many more treks together, such a great thing to do as a couple… and with plans to continue long after the kids have moved out. Better stay fit! M xx
You guys are such a lovely couple Mel, lovely post.
Ohh thank you Ang! Big hugs to you and the family. M xx
Oh Mel what a lovely touching story – so wonderful that love concurs all :) I also remember listening to Radiohead at that time – a lot….
Congrats to you and that handsome french guy of yours, Guillaume ;-)
Hugs from Denmark
A x
You, Yvonne and I are from the same generation, love it and life’s soundtrack we played. Still having trouble commenting on your blog it seems! I thought it worked the other day and then yesterday I noticed it wasn’t there. Loving your 28 days of Hygge Christmas! Mel x
this is a very beautiful story, especially the big dose of realness in it. congratulations!
Thanks so much Annton! Yes I think so often that part is so often left out. No relationship is perfect but I’m sure people, especially younger girls expect it to be. M x
Congratulations, Mel. Such an epic history… The Radiohead reference made me smile (same here ;)). I’m glad you added the last part, because that’s really what it’s like isn’t it. I love that you celebrated by going trekking, I’ll be suggesting that to Mario ;) Sitting here at the other side of the world with teary eyes. Thanks for sharing, here’s to another fifteen years and then some xx
Isn’t that song a journey in it’s self? Thanks for your lovely words. I hope that you and Mario go on a trek too! Definitely a fantastic thing to do! Big hugs lovely xx
Congrats Mel and Guillaume on this special anniversary, and thank you for sharing not only the happy moments but the hardships.
So many people think that when difficulties arise in a marriage it is easier to get over with it. Marriage is as much about commitment to the relationship as it is about love.
Very true Corinne. Working on a relationship is half of the magic ingredient I believe. Hugs to you! Mel x
Big congrats to you & Guillaume! Now you have a SLR {I bet ;-) } and can write a novel yourself! Thank you for sharing!
A. XO
It’s true! In fact so many details and twists left out, definitely a novel to write one day when I have time…! Thank you lovely xx
Dear Mel. Yours is such a beautiful story of love. Happy 15th anniveversary and to many happy years to come!
I enjoyed reading your very personal words so much and I’ve got tears in my eyes. So happy for you!
A big hug from Germany,
Stephanie
Thank you so much Stephanie for your kind words! Mel x
Feck I cried! stop it Mel ; ) xxxxxx
Aw, you’re sweet Clauds. Catch up soon! x
So glad I played a part in your futures. So many seemingly inconsequential decisions, by me and others made on my behalf, led to me two different corners of Europe – Grolejac in the Dordogne and Bad Gastein in the Austrian Alps & gave me the opportunity to introduce you both and the rest was down to you two.
Amazing isn’t it? Thank you Neil!!! Hope we catch up again sooner than later xx
What a beautiful story, Mel!! And congrats to you and Guillaume for 15 years of love and life! To many many more with your lovely family! See you soon xx
Thank you Igor! Can’t wait to introduce you to the man x