Damnit CK ... you've gone an made ol' softy here almost tear up !
My story share similarities. It was March 2000 when we met, but we've got to rewind a little first.
My previous girlfriend (we dated for 18 months a few years before that) was a really top chick. I'm talking back when I was 17/18 years old. She loved me, and I was too dumb to see it, accused her of cheating as the first signs of my mental illness crept in (insecurities). A car crash, and a breakdown of that relationship after I pushed her away early 99 kicked things off.
A string of failed relationships then resulted over the course of a few months:
NO 1. I was catfished by a chick who looked nothing like she claimed. She turned out to be some chick into numerology/astrology/non practicing paganism.
NO 2. I was talking to one chick but it was actually her friend that was interested (and I was not).
NO 3. Her south eastern european father threatened to bash me if I was seen with his daughter as he already had a nice boy he wanted her to date.
NO 4. Things were going okay except some hectic from high school also fancied her (I was 19 she was 18). When I was at her place one day him and 2 mates rocked up and beat the shit out of me, stomping my head on a gutter. Still got the scars to this day. Had to end that with her for my safety, and those ***** got away with it.
Shortly after this I lost my job, my car, and life spiralled out of control. Attempted suicide twice (once with long last effects), and was diagnosed with clinical depression, severe anxiety, irritable depression/anger induced anxiety.
Events unfolded shortly after and I ended up beng forced to live with my grandparents for about 6 months from memory.
It was here that my life changed.
March 2000 I was feeling a little better, on meds, doing my courses, living at grandparents place on disability payments at the time as I was medically unfit for work. I was lonely and jumped onto a dating site (soulmates I think it was called). Spent $20 to buy some tokens to contact others. A few I never heard back from (or it fizzled), but one chick replied. She was new to Sydney, working as an au pair, and was seeking friends. We liased a few times over the site, then on the phone, before eventually meeting in Town Hall.
I remember the day... the day my life changed. I was nervous as all fuck, and to that point I don't think I had seen or been given a picture. I get to Town Hall station and I'm like "I'll have to call her to see where she is". So I'm standing there, pick up the mobile (Ericsson GF768 for the win back then!) and call her. About 5m away someones phone rings. "Hey I'm here where are you". Her "I'm here wearing blue striped jumped and jeans and a beanie". I look at the persons phone who had rung... It's her!! At the time it's strange that I didn't check her out from a visual perspective (like "woah this chick is stunning"), but rather "she seems like a nice person". We had a nice day out in the city, which ended up in the Botanic Gardens throwing lemons at bloody annoying magpies. Without warning she plants a kiss on my cheek. That was it.. It just felt right.
Fast forward she moved back to her home town (long distance relationships suuuuuuuccck), then back to Sydney again, renting as I lived at home still. Things fell into place and my anger issues went completely. Anxiety and Depression got less and less medication disappeared, and I was learning to manage things.
Friends and family got married as we got the butt of many jokes "when are you getting married/you guys are next"... but it never happened.
March 2011 or 2012 - We had our anniversary, and I figured I'd do something really special. I just told her to pack an overnight bag and dress up nicely. Went into the Shangri-La hotel, and we had a room on like the 36th floor overlooking the harbour. Went out to dinner at Quay, and after being cockblocked by a cruise ship, the stunning view opened up. Had a top meal and our anniversary was going great. Back to the room, and she sees a chocolates gift box and a letter on a tray left for us whilst we were out. I KNEW she'd open it (she always does). So she grabs the letter and starts reading, and reading and reading. She then grabs the box, opens it up and her face lit up. Little did she know I had planned for weeks before that to have a proposal letter and ring dropped off. She said Yes.
Sep 2012 we got married at a waterfront destination, and the rest is history really. Last year celebrated 5 years married, and I honestly would not want anyone else. She's an amazing person and we just click so well together. The fact she's hot with a cracking body is just a bonus.
So yeah .... that's how we met...