Our first date wasn't really a date, but a series of ocean crossings, gambles and crazy courage culminating in this moment - the two of us jumping in Snow Globe. We didn't have the luxury of swiping left, the zero stress coffee date, the will we or won't we, the tentative brunch. We had to be all in or nothing at all. We jumped into love and landed here. (As you can see, some of us landed with more elegance than others!)
Fresh off the high of the 2-week first date, I had a choice. Follow this strange man back to his home country to celebrate Christmas - or be a sane person and, well, not do that. We all know what I chose. I figured - what do I have to lose? This would either be the best decision of my life, or a heartbreaking one. And I knew that if my heart was broken, I could piece it back together. So I took the risk. And it payed off. Plus, I got to meet all the family all at one go!
This is the welcome that awaited me as I moved to America. I know you're probably thinking - slide 3? This is fast! I'm sure you'd be right. It was probably the biggest single decision of my life and there were no doubt 100 ways it could have ended in tears. Strangely though, with this lady waiting for me, it never felt like a risk at all. Home, it turns out, really is where the heart is.
This was February 13th. I found myself taking a bunch of balloons on the bus to go meet this random guy who was moving to be with me, on Valentines... Everyone in International Arrivals was looking at me like I was re-enacting "Love Actually". (Of course I totally was)
This magical day was the beginning of that phase in our relationship where Nick was getting on and off planes a lot. The ESTA Visa he was on meant that he had to enter and leave the USA every three months, and he still had work commitments back in Europe... So I got very used to this slightly funky smelling, weirdly bearded individual landing up next to me in a jacket that was totally out of season. Even so, I started to become quite fond of him...
Another thing we did too early in our relationship... attempted to ride a tandem bike. You'll notice that this photo was not taken while in motion because Kamilah would be screaming "Oh my god we're going to crash!" while attempting to bail out. Suffice to say, it's harder than it looks. My first few weeks in SF were an adventure but this picture was taken right when I'd decided to live permanently in the USA... with a certain someone who was a prominent supporter of that decision.
Europe has always kept a place at the heart of what brought us together and opportunities to keep up the love affair were taken up, especially when Italy with all its food and wine is on the list! I'm here in my dishevelled Woody Allen on holiday pose, and Kamilah is doing a kind of Captain hook thing. Must be because we were at sea...
Hiking the Cinque Terra in 40+ degree heat. This was probably the moment we realised how steep the rocks are. (Not a metaphor)
After much trepidation, a 200 page application, a bunch of lawyers and a lot of crossing fingers we finally got the Visa. Yes, the US government believes that Nick is a 'Person of Extraordinary Ability'... so therefore, it must be true. Kind of reassuring to have the US government thoroughly vet your boyfriend... Most importantly, it meant an end to the flying in and out and that Nick could finally start working in California. For him, that meant visits to LA and fulfilling a lifelong ambition.
Yes, Nick looks happy here and yes he had reason. We've been lucky to have some great examples around us of loving in the best way. This one came from Murray and Jose at their amazing wedding!
Much shade was thrown and predictions made in the epic showdown that was, ping pong with Kamilah's dad. After ferocious and competitive battle punctuated with a cocktail or two, just like the pros do, honour was defended on both sides. (Actually we lost the ball in the garage but you get the idea)
This is us with the deeds to our gorgeous place in Mar Vista after having signed the papers and ratified them in this depressing building! After an eventful search, we stumbled upon the perfect place at the end of an eventful 2018! We have a spare room and love visitors!
Nick proposed to me in St Paul De Vence. Unfortunately the engagement ring he'd had made was somewhere between Tel Aviv, Marseille and... possibly Mordor. (Curse you DHL!) Luckily he found this beautiful substitute in St Paul so all the proposal planning didn't go to waste... What's a girl gonna do with two rings? :-)
After maxing out on cute and romantic in St Paul, the only option when the REAL RING finally caught up with us was comedy and... er... debauchery. Nick proposed the second time during the famous Crazy Horse Caberet in Paris. He almost got arrested by the bouncer while trying to smuggle it into the club and had to explain his plan in French to be allowed in! Just another fairly normal occurrence for us... :-)
Nobody can predict the future, but we're both such huge believers in seizing the now. We're so excited to see you all at our wedding(s) and in special moments to come wherever we or you may be in the world.
We know that we got insanely lucky to find one another, in a random moment so far from home. We wish that same crazy, random joy to all of you and the people you love!
See you soon!
Love,
Kamilah and Nick