Gav and I celebrated our engagement with friends

photo from Nicole

Our friend Sinead made us a gorgeous cake!

Several ladies gathered for dinner, karaoke, and cake for my hen night (i.e., bachelorette party).

Nicole is my travel partner, one of my besties, and a bridesmaid.

Of course there was food

We selected a red velvet cupcake and a key lime pie cupcake to share between three of us.

Ghana chocolate macaron from Laduree

Nicole and Gav at Milkbar cafe in Soho

Notes Music & Coffee -- rated one of 10 best places for coffee in London

Nicole and I had a veggie filled lunch before indulging in a small cake from Ottolenghi

Nicole and I enjoyed a Pimm's and lemonade in Covent Garden as soon as the sun came out!

Touristy photo to add to album for immigration interview!

You have to pose in a red phone booth

I met more of Gav’s family when we gathered for a meal and a birthday celebration.

Gav’s 5-year old nephew, the birthday boy, “really likes me” but still thinks that I “sound funny”

Happy 5th birthday, Lewis!

We went to Chelsea’s last regular home game of the season

Stamford Bridge Stadium

Gav was born a Chelsea fan and I'm happy to support the team.

Time always flies when I’m visiting England, and I’m very thankful to have an entire month to spend with Gavin and family and friends. Hope you enjoyed a sneak peek at week one!

One year ago, I was scared of coming home. I was afraid to leave friends I had met in Oz. I was afraid of returning home and not feeling “at home”. I was fearful that I would return to the US and forget everything I had learned and the goals I had for the future. I had no clue what I was going to do next.

When I said goodbye to Australia, I had no idea I would also be saying goodbye to a like-a-brother friend within minutes of landing on US soil. A mutual friend contacted me before I boarded my flight from LAX to Baltimore to share that John had passed away. I was shocked and devastated but had to get on a plane and try to keep my emotions in check.

The first three months

Where do I go from here?

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The first three months home were the worst. I ached to be back in Australia.

No amount of distractions during the day could mask how much I missed Oz. During the day I stayed busy, catching up with friends and family, networking with former colleagues, and trying to find answers to “what in the world am I supposed to do next”. At night, tears flowed freely as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Reverse culture shock hit and it hit hard.

I was very fortunate to find a handful of odd jobs that were flexible and helped me pay the most basic of bills. I used my flexible schedule to chat with people and brainstorm ways to work toward a remote work lifestyle that would match my skills, interests, and values. No answers came immediately, but I hoped, prayed, and trusted that I would figure it out over time.

And then I met him + I LOVE the fall

There’s no place like…home?

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At the end of month three, I traveled to London to spend 10 days with a great group of friends I’ve had since the end of 2006. On day two, I met Gavin, one of three new additions to the group. He just happened to have that week off from work, so we spent lots of time walking, chatting, and eating together. When I returned home, we continued talking on a daily basis.

Back in the US, I secured a flexible part-time job for the academic year at the local university, which also happens to be my alma mater and where I worked for four years before leaving for Oz. Fall brought football games, Saturday tailgates at the football stadium, colorful leaves, fall smells and colors, and FINALLY a sense being “at home”. I was grateful that the sadness of leaving Oz had lifted and the awesomeness that is Charlottesville, Virginia had worked its magic.

I only worked in the career office Mondays-Wednesdays, so I had big plans to develop remote work the remainder of the week. But something better happened. Gav and I talked and Skyped constantly and he visited three times by the end of the year. Within a few months, we went from new friends, to being in love, and on to excitedly chatting about getting married. Remote work took a back seat!

In early 2012, Gav made a perfect Valentine’s Day even better when he proposed six weeks earlier than I expected. Of course I said yes. Well, I said “absolutely”. But only after I asked “are you serious” three times — hey, he had totally surprised me by asking on his February visit versus my end-of-March trip to see him!

Where I am now…

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Remember that flexible job I mentioned? I’m only making about 2/3 of what I used to, but the schedule is perfect. So perfect that I’m able to spend the entire month of May with Gav in London. When I return, I’ll continue working with the same office but with more hours. More hours might mean less time to build up remote work, but I have a wedding to pay for

Along with all of the good, there have been some challenges like feeling lonely. I have acquaintances and friends around the world, but I often feel alone in my own hometown. Some of the relationships I had before haven’t returned to their former glory, even 12 months later. Friends who live 1-2 hours away or in a different state altogether understandably are difficult to see. If we’ve been able to get together since I’ve returned, it’s only been once or twice. I miss having several dear friends that you see, hug, and talk to weekly. For all of the good things a year in Australia gave me, I think it also contributed to the distance that now exists between me and various friends. It’s no one’s fault. It just is.

Beyond the loneliness, there are a couple of things that my family is experiencing that I won’t share here. But they’re no fun. In fact, they’re very stressful and heart-wrenching. Every person and every family has their troubles.

After one year back home, have I figured out what’s next?

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Sometimes I feel a bit disappointed in myself that I didn’t work harder this last year to find a remote work path. I haven’t put much thought into the USA road trip I wanted to do or when in the world I’m traveling again with the exception of England. But that’s all okay.

I can’t tell you when I’ll travel again. I have only the slightest ideas about how I will eventually transition to a remote work lifestyle. But I do know the answer to the dreaded interview questions “where do you see yourself in five years”.

I see myself with Gavin.

Where we’ll be and what we’ll be doing is something I can’t quite predict, and that’s okay. We’ve talked about the future of course, but I don’t want to plot it all out now. Wherever we are and whatever we’re doing, we’ll be living life together.

I read an article this week on A Practical Wedding about letting go of plans. And the bride in the article was able to tackle her uncertainties about the future with the certainty she had about being with her partner. Knowing the “where we’ll be living” and “how we’re paying for it” is important, and we’ll figure it out. Together. Both the 5-year and 10-year plan.

So that’s what’s next! Gavin. I’m glad I can finally answer the question that everyone asked me when I returned home one year ago. And Oz, I haven’t forgotten about you. I’ll be back with Gav.

Featured image from creative commons

I was proud of myself for quitting my job and moving halfway around the world to spend a year in Australia. I returned home with partial ideas of what I wanted my future to look like, but nearly a year later I’m still not sure what I want to do next (aside from marrying Gavin!).

One of the people I’ve been looking to for creative inspiration over the last 12 months is Allison.

I met Allison and her then-boyfriend-now-husband Jonathan in Istanbul in 2008. The pair had just kicked off a RTW trip and were staying in my hostel room. I followed their blog over the next 11 months, we saw each other again in person when I went to Toronto in 2010, and we’ve kept in touch online.

Allison’s traveled around the world not once but twice. After her second trip, she returned home to begin her career as a tax lawyer but found she was missing the time she had to devote to photography on the road. So she made a plan — tax lawyer by day, second shooter for weddings on the weekend, and creative business owner in the making. Allison worked hard, thoughtfully planned, and after months of preparation, she left her job as a tax lawyer to be a full-time photographer. She also has some other business ideas in the works! Oh, and not only is Allison an awesome person, but she’s my wedding photographer!

I’m super excited to support Allison as she pursues a dream job opportunity — to be the face and voice of Tourism Richmond’s 365 days of dining (Richmond, BC, Canada). She is one of 12 finalists from thousands of applicants, and if she wins, she’ll be dining daily for a year in Richmond and writing about her experiences. That sounds like something I would LOVE to do, and I hope Allison gets the chance.

I’m voting for Allison daily until the contest ends, and if you’re currently chasing one of your dreams, consider supporting Allison as she pursues hers with a quick vote.

Don’t know her and wish you did?!

Twitter: @apsuter
Blog: Live it. Love it. Blog it.
Photography: Allison Suter Photography

What’s your next big dream?

You can’t fall in love with every destination. Oz and I were meant to be but Barcelona? It’s the one place I’ve been that just didn’t click with me.

But there was still plenty of good.

HOT

I spent two weeks traveling with one of my best friends. I played the role of map reader and navigator and she rocked the role of speaker and negotiator. While I was too shy to use my limited Spanish, I was able to produce a few helpful statements that I would then pass on to Nicole.

Enjoying tapas at Ciudad Condal

We loved going out for tapas with folks from the hostel. Our favorite place? Ciudad Condal.

For two gals who love food and markets, we found our heaven at La Boqueria. We stopped by in the mornings for a breakfast of fresh fruit bowls or freshly squeezed juice. At lunch, I visited an organic booth toward the back for an easy and healthy takeaway meal. And we found our go-to free public toilet.

Fresh produce at La Boqueria

When we weren’t busy sourcing food from markets, we were shopping for handmade crafts. I purchased a pair of earrings that I still adore, and after days of eying a beautiful purse, I finally caved and splurged. Sometimes you have to treat yourself!

I even found a bit of Australia in Barcelona. We searched high and low for a pub showing State of Origin, and when we finally did, we met Jon. He’s a Blues fan, but we befriended him and sat together anyway

NOT

Not everything was so peachy.

I was sick the first few days. When we popped into a pharmacy, we didn’t have enough Spanish between us to explain what I needed. Finally Nicole was able to communicate my problem, and I walked out with a box that read “Laxante Vegetal-regulador intestinal” O:-)

At night, we got very little sleep. We don’t expect to have quiet nights in the hostel, but we didn’t expect drunken party goers to return ALL hours of the night, every night, and yell so loudly that they woke everyone up in the hostel. Doors slammed. Lights went off and on. People spoke and laughed at full volume in the hostel room while running into everything that was stationary.

It only got worse when we checked into our second hostel. Instead of the 12-person room we had booked, we were placed into an 18-person room. And if the slamming door every 30 minutes of the night didn’t get to you, the dust beasts above your head surely did. I kid you not, we slept three feet below a drain pipe that was home to dust bunnies the size of my HEAD. Who knows what size those dusts beasts are today, four years later.

Along with the hot or not moments, we had plenty of time to explore various suburbs, take a day trip or two, and visit Gaudi attractions.

We stopped to listen and then bought a CD

Gotta stroll along Las Ramblas

Mosaic work in Parc Guell

View from atop La Pedrera

I’d like to return to Barcelona and see if I feel any differently about the city. Even if I don’t find a connection, at least I know where to go for tapas!

My parents came to visit me for 10 days!

Although Oz depleted my travel savings, I’m thankful that I’ve been able to travel overseas twice in the last 12 months. And, I’m flying across the pond again very soon to spend an entire month with Gavin, his family, and our friends.

I am enjoying my hometown again and love visiting London, but I haven’t forgotten how much I love exploring new places. Once Gavin receives his Green Card, we’re hoping to take some fun trips together.

While I’m daydreaming of future travels, I can’t help but think back to the people and events that inspired me to travel in the first place. Another travel meme is making the rounds, and this “travel inspirations” one comes from easyJet Holidays. Participating bloggers are asked to share the “who, what, where, and when” that inspired them to travel, and my pal Bobbi from Heels and Wheels nominated me — thanks chica!

Who

Several people immediately come to mind as travel inspirations, and each has a different role to play.

Amazingly enough, it wasn’t until I graduated from college that I felt any real interest in traveling overseas. But once the seed was planted, the travel bug bit with a vengeance and I wanted to go everywhere. I spent hours researching how to do it on a ridiculously small budget. And when a friend saw this interest and gave me a 1-year subscription to Budget Travel magazine, I was surprised and grateful. Little did I know that receiving this gift would soon lead to finding an amazing deal for two to Ireland. I mentioned the 7-day trip to my father, and he jumped at the chance to join me.

With my dad in Ireland

A few years after the Ireland trip, I traveled to Australia for three weeks. I spent my last day with a new friend, a Kiwi who had lived in London for five years, traveled the world, and was currently living in Australia for an undetermined amount of time. I told him about my desire to continue traveling and to eventually embark on a long-term trip. He told me with great confidence that he knew I would make it happen. I took his encouragement home with me and immediately started a travel fund — the fund that helped pay for my year in Australia and for all of the trips I enjoyed overseas between 2006 and 2010.

Since these first travel inspirations, I have met so many people who have influenced where I want to go next and how I want to travel. Thank you for keeping the travel inspiration alive.

What

In 7th grade my best friend and I were invited to participate in a People to People youth ambassador trip to Australia. My dad and I attended the information session and realized we couldn’t afford the 3-week experience to Australia — seriously, this country has been calling my name for years! My best friend went and had the time of her life. The 13-year old me couldn’t believe the stories she shared upon her return.

I suppose from that moment on, I assumed that international travel was something nice for people to do but it probably wasn’t something I’d ever be able to do. How would I ever afford it and who would go with me?! No one in my family had traveled overseas, and I figured I never would either.

But maybe the invite from People to People planted a seed that I never knew was oh-so-slowly growing. Apparently Australia and I were meant to be from the start.

Excited to be driving in Melbourne

Where

Of course the “where” pertains to Australia too. You didn’t expect any differently, did you?

After graduating from grad school, I traveled to Oz for three weeks before starting a new job. Throughout the trip, I met young people from all over the world traveling on gap years or living and working abroad. They asked how long I was on holiday, and when I proudly shared three weeks, they gasped — obviously it seemed pitiful in comparison to their three months (or longer).

Everything about Australia inspired me — the who (Aussies and travelers alike) and the what (sights, sports). I realize that three weeks was not enough. That I had to return to Australia one day and somehow find a way to explore other countries too.

When

Without question, my biggest adventure has been living in Australia.

Leading up to the year in Oz, I knew I wanted to experience long-term travel, but I wasn’t sure when or where. The day a friend excitedly told me that the Aussie government had updated the Work and Holiday Visa to 12 months for Americans, I knew I was meant to go. It took a long time to gather the courage to leave work, loved ones, and the traditional American life plan behind, but I eventually did.

Now it’s time for some of my travel friends to share their travel inspirations!

Nicole, I want to see a new post, chica! Can’t wait to see you in London
Laura is one of my faves and an all-around awesome gal.
Frits, congrats on your engagement! So happy for you.
Caroline is one of my HPL team mates
Brooke is on a great 3-month trip with her partner Pat and I can’t wait to read about it.

Hmm, now that I think about it, I’ve never seen the option to select both gluten AND dairy free — I wonder if a call to the airline is all it would take or if they don’t cater to something that specific. Anyone know?

Over the last few years, I’ve been reasonably happy with my gluten free (GF) meals…until my flight from Dulles to Heathrow two weeks ago. United has done a fairly decent job in the past, but for some reason, my second meal (aka the “snack”) was a massive let down. Everyone else received a sandwich, bag of chips, and a cookie. Me? A plain rice cake (which apparently isn’t the same thing everywhere, check out this photo) and a bowl of rice. That’s it. No flavor, little nutrition.

Now, I get that there was also very little nutrition in the “snack” of the other folks on board but at least they had flavor to savor and calories to keep them going. I was so hungry, ready for my “snack” and felt incredibly disappointed with what I received.

Usually United and other airlines I’ve flown get it (mostly) right:

– Breakfast is usually some combination of eggs, fruit, yogurt, and/or apple sauce.
– Lunch/dinner has always had a chicken breast, veggies, and potatoes. The chicken is never dry and the veggies don’t seem overcooked. My meal always looks more tasty than the chicken and veg everyone else receives.

But there is always room for improvement:

Even though Air Canada lost my bag for over a week (story coming soon!), I have to give them first place for their GF meals. They provide GF bread and GF desserts (e.g., GF chocolate brownie). Compare this to the other airlines I’ve experienced. They eliminate bread altogether instead of sourcing a GF option. Dessert is a cup of yogurt, apple sauce, or raisins. I envy those with a proper dessert. All I want is *one tiny* bite of dark chocolate. Just because I’m eating GF doesn’t meant I want to go without. I *love* that I’m often eating a meal with less sugar, but every once in a while I want a proper dessert or a GF bread roll with my meal instead of unsweetened apple sauce.

Even with my gripes, I’d still order a special meal, even if I wasn’t GF.

I’m not sure about other types of special meals, but I feel that my GF meals are much healthier than the standard ones — even if I had a sugary GF dessert. I don’t get the funky looking sauces and my veggies appear to be more fresh.

Folks with special meals get theirs first! I usually don’t eat at the airport, so by the time food service starts, I’m ready. I used to hate watching the rows of people before me get food, feeling more hungry by the minute, wondering if the flight attendants would still have my preferred entree by the time they got to me. Now, I receive my meal first (well, first in Economy).

The biggest downside to a special meal? If someone forgets to pack it, you’re out of luck. On my recent flight, three vegetarians and one person who wanted a kosher meal had been forgotten. The purser apologized to the four (who were seated in the rows just before mine) and mentioned that they should always double check with the gate agents to make sure that their meal request was registered. Not a bad tip, but it almost sounded like he was blaming them for forgetting to request it. Later, I overheard the purser tell the man with the kosher meal that his had indeed been registered and he apologized again, eventually bringing the man a leftover meal from first or business class. I’m not sure if the vegetarians ate the entire flight.

Have you ordered a special meal on a flight? Flown on an airline with above average non-special/standard meals in Economy? If you’re like me and pack a snack or two of your own, what’s your go-to item?

I’ve been a little silent over the last few weeks.

After my birthday weekend, I had The Hunger Games film to look forward to — 10 of us traveled an hour away to go to a decent theater. My youngest sister and I geeked out with mockingjay pins. Haven’t read the books? Get on it.

I wrote my articles for Her Packing List.

I learned I was selected to be a recipe tester for an upcoming cookbook. A few of the ingredients have been quite difficult (i.e., impossible) to find so far, but I’m praying I locate them somewhere. I’m super excited about being selected and want to come through on my end of the deal.

And I packed a tiny carry-on bag for a 4.5 day trip to London to spend time with Gavin, his family, and our friends.

It was the first time Gav and I spent time together as a couple in England. The first time I met a member of his family. The first time our friends saw us together.

I met and held the 5-month old son of two of our friends. Most all babies are cute, but he is mega adorable.

Another couple who had just returned from a 3-week holiday in Oz hosted us for dinner and hours of great conversation.

I tasted the second best french toast I’ve ever had at The Milk Bar. It reminded me of the delicious cafe meals I enjoyed in Australia. Oh, and I had my first piccolo latte since visiting Flat White cafe in London last summer. Bliss.

My bridal party became complete when another friend excitedly said YES to being a bridesmaid, and we’re one person away from having the entire wedding party finalized.

We celebrated the 30th birthday of one of our dearest friends Kev. He’s Gav’s best friend and best man, and Kev was my first friend in London. Without meeting him years ago on LiveJournal, I wouldn’t know the great group of friends I have today — or my fiance.

I spent time with Gav’s parents, grandmother, siblings, and their children. I loved the looks on the nephews’ faces when they heard my voice for the first time. One became very shy and the other said with big eyes “America” before proudly telling me that he speaks English. I love it!

It was difficult to leave, but I’ll be back in just four short weeks, and when I return, I’ll be there for a month. Amazingly enough, that’s the second longest period of time I’ve ever been out of the country at once. And it will be the longest Gav and I have spent together in person.

The next few weeks are going to fly by with work, Easter, cooking, and wedding planning.

Catch me up on you! What have I missed?

Last year I spent the day driving in remote areas of Australia. And yesterday, for the first time in two years, I spent St. Patrick’s Day/my birthday at home.

Over the years I’ve collected quite a few St. Patrick’s Day bears, buttons, shirts, decorations and pieces of jewelry.

I wore the new handmade green and white necklace I purchased from Laura (who still has beautiful items from Kenya to sell for an education fundraiser — check out the link!).

No birthday would be complete without dessert. And I couldn’t choose just one. So I made cupcakes AND cake pops.

Yellow cake colored green — baked, cooled, crumbled, and fluffed:

Mixed with a bit of cream cheese frosting and rolled into balls, waiting for the white chocolate to set on the cake and the stick:

Covered in white chocolate and green sugar — I need to work on my coating technique a bit!:

Everyone loved the cake pops, but I preferred the Guinness chocolate cupcakes with chocolate ganache and cream cheese frosting.

I had a fabulous time with friends and family, talking, laughing, dancing, and of course, eating.

Hope you had a happy St. Patrick’s Day!

This week, for the first time, I made macarons.

It’s pretty embarrassing to admit that my first attempt at baking a macaron was only five days ago. Several friends have tweeted or emailed me over the last five months, asking for macaron baking tips, assuming I was experienced and in-the-know. ‘Cause, ya know, I tried 67 different flavors in Oz alone and Zumbo himself shipped 70 to my home in November. Surely I had made my own at some point?!

Trust me, I can consume these little treats like a CHAMPION, but when it comes to making them, I’ve been intimidated.

How could something so cute and tasty instill so much fear? Well, my friends, they’re delicate creatures that will turn on you in the blink of an eye.

At nearly every stage in the preparation or baking process, something can go wrong. Like baking in general, following a recipe is important. When it comes to macarons, it’s critical that every measurement is spot on.

Thankfully, I didn’t have to make macarons for the first time by myself. In fact, I intentionally waited to give them a go until I could visit Nicole, one of my best friends and fellow Zumbo and macaron devotee. She took a macaron baking class in Australia and has made them on one other occasion, so if there was a first time make them, it was when I ventured to Nicole’s cold, snowy Buffalo last weekend.

We used one of the recipes Nicole received in her macaron baking class — plain shells (with a touch of cocoa powder we added for color) and salted caramel filling.

After successfully mixing the ingredients, we placed a handy macaron template under parchment paper and piped away.

One of the most difficult bits? Piping without creating the peaks. Some fell slightly as the macarons rested (the mix needs to rest at least 30 minutes prior to cooking) but most kept their peaks.

I somehow managed to pipe a few with no peaks that cooked beautifully. I’d like to think that Zumbo would be proud.

I’ve had Instagram on my iPhone for ages and finally decided to use the app to take a photo.

We made caramel and added Murray River (from Australia!) salt. YUM.

Some time during the macaron making process I decided that I didn’t need to hire someone to make macarons for the wedding — I would make them!

Overly optimistic, but hey, I have months to practice.

And I started today.

My friend Kelly has never had a macaron, so I enlisted her to help make chocolate macarons with raspberry mascarpone filling.

I used a recipe from Nicole’s class for chocolate shells and snagged the raspberry mascarpone recipe from one I found online.

We couldn’t avoid the peaks, but thankfully they were relatively minor. This is definitely my macaron goal — find the perfect piping technique for me!

We couldn’t help but eat a shell or two once they came out of the oven. They smelled heavenly!

The filling was a snap to make and tastes so beautiful.

And now they are resting in an airtight container in the fridge, flavors blending together, waiting to be consumed tomorrow. Macarons should sit for 24 hours before you eat them. I’m trying to be patient!

I plan to make a new recipe every month for the rest of the year. Hopefully I’ll learn to pipe a smooth shell and find 2-4 recipes I love. Then maybe, just maybe, I’ll trust myself to make my own macarons for me and Gav’s wedding.

What’s the most intimidating dish you’ve ever cooked or baked?

Surprised? I’m still (pleasantly) surprised myself.

Gav: Me too beautiful :-*
(Oh yeah, Gav’s going to be commenting throughout this post too! After I wrote it, he logged in and added his thoughts.)

I’ve never dreamed about a wedding or being someone’s wife. When girl friends learn I haven’t been planning the day for years, some are shocked. “Isn’t that what every little girl does,” they wonder. Perhaps, but not this gal.

I met my first boyfriend senior year of high school. I intentionally spent almost all of my college career single. I very happily spent most of my 20s single and assumed I would never get married. I only started dating again in the last few years.

It didn’t bother me that I may not have a life partner. I realized one day in my early 20s that there’s not necessarily someone for everyone. As long as I had the love of family and friends, I was happy.

I believe in marriage and I believe in forever. After watching so many family members and friends experience divorce, I wasn’t quite sure if the pain was worth the gamble — for me personally. I figured that if God had someone he wanted me to spend my life with, I was going to need a huge, flashing neon sign saying “THIS IS THE MAN, HEATHER!” Seriously, I even told Him so on more than one occasion.

Well it didn’t take a huge sign. Or lights. Or pyrotechnics or tricks. It was a matter of it being the right time for me and Gavin to enter each others lives.

Meet Gavin

I had no idea who Gavin was until last summer when I visited our mutual friends in London. Several of the girls welcomed me with, “You’re going to meet several new members of the group on this visit. One of them is Gavin…he’s super shy.” I suppose the ladies were simply saying “if he doesn’t talk to you, don’t be offended”, but I took it on as a challenge to get the new guy to talk to me.

Yes, Gavin is shy when you first meet him and very likely for a while after you’ve met. But we clicked. And he talks to me…a lot! He has a quick wit I don’t think he shows everyone. Of all the people I’ve ever known, there is no doubt that he’s one of the most considerate and thoughtful. He’s kind. He treats people well. He’s unselfish. He’s smart, super cute, and affectionate. Gav tells me how much he loves me all of the time.

Gav: I love you super sweet wonderful beautiful cute BTB (Bride To Be )

The road from friendship to engaged

By the end of the visit last summer, we’d become friends. When I returned home, we started talking online every day. We kept that up. For the next six months. We emailed, Skyped, communicated on Facebook and Twitter, sent cards in the mail, and planned not one but three visits for him to come to the USA before the year’s end.

Gav: Phone chats too!  When Heather goes to the gym in the morning, it’s lunch time for me, so I give her a call and we chat for a bit.  When Heather’s lunch time comes along, I’m leaving work, so we have another chat on the phone.  Of course when Heather is driving home we chat again on the phone  

Some family friends once told me that if and when I met the right guy, I’d be married within six months. Turns out that’s (almost) true.

Gav: You’ve (almost) met the right guy?

I’m not married within six months, but we got engaged about six months after we first met. From the outside looking in, that can seem fast, but we both know it’s right and have been talking about it for quite a while. When you talk to someone every day, throughout the day, you can get to know each other fairly well! Living an ocean apart has really helped us rely on strong communication as the foundation of our relationship.

I believe that starting to date again over the last few years helped prepare my heart to be open to meeting THE one. Taking charge of my 30s and following my dream of living in Australia for a year also brought me to an open place in my life and placed me in London at the right time to meet Gavin, whose life was also on a path that was readying him to meet me.

 Gav:  Yep, a few changes for me over the last couple of years and I’m still so amazed and happy that I had booked a couple of weeks off work that just happened to be when you were in England

Will you marry me?

Many friends and family members learned about our engagement over the last week and have asked for the story! I’ve only been able to share it a few times one-on-one. I’m writing this post to share the news with everyone who has asked. To everyone who has offered kind words in person, on the phone, via email, and on Facebook already, THANK YOU! It means so much to us.

Gav and I knew early on that we wanted to be together. After discussing marriage and the future throughout the fall, we began making more concrete plans during his visit at the end of the year. We researched the visas in both countries and decided that we would start in the USA.

Though we had decided to get engaged last year, we knew he would ask in person during one of our visits together in early 2012. He had me convinced that he would ask during my late-March visit to London. And when he arrived two weeks ago in the USA, mega-relaxed, cool as a cucumber, and totally at ease, I knew that he was not going to ask during this visit.

Gav: “Would you be disappointed if it didn’t happen on the February trip?”   -  this was a question I asked the week before the flight.

We had a perfect Valentine’s Day. Gav made us breakfast, I went to work for a few hours, we spent the afternoon relaxing, and then we went to a 3-course meal at a local restaurant. Toward the end of the meal, Gav attempted to build up to the proposal by saying sweet things to me. But as he always says sweet things, I was totally oblivious that he was working towards a proposal. I started discussing and analyzing each course, asking him about his favorite parts and sharing mine. In between my foodie ramblings, he would add in a loving statement or two, only for me to smile, say I loved him too and resume talking about food. HA.

Gav: I was so nervous!  After the main meal I went to the rest room (yes, talking American already), to take the ring from my shirt pocket and put it on my left little finger.  On returning to the table I just kept my left hand under the table through dessert.  This was difficult at one stage, when I was having trouble sharing it with Heather, I couldn’t cut the dessert one handed.  I love hearing what Heather has to say on anything, especially her food analysis.  It was clear I wasn’t going to be able to ask until she had finished her analysis of the meal.  I just sat back with a big smile on my face and listened

Finally I shut up and said I needed to excuse myself to the restroom. As I started to push my chair back, Gav said, “Before you go…” and my brain started spinning. Wait, is going to ask tonight?! No way, he’s so calm. He’s asking in March.

Gav:  So at this point I’m putting the ring in my right hand and holding it how I want to present it, all under the table, glad I didn’t drop the ring at this point.

And suddenly I hear Gav asking me to marry him and see him holding a beautiful ring we’d found together. In a moment of complete surprise I actually asked him (not once but twice…and maybe three times), “Are you serious?”

Gav: Yeah, three times!  I have to admit the first two times she said it actually threw me off a little – I was surprised that I had managed to surprise her so completely. Heather was truly surprised, which was what I was aiming for. Heather knew I would ask during one of two trips, so it wouldn’t be a complete surprise – so that’s what I worked on during the build up to the trip, making it as much a surprise as possible.  The day before Valentines day I had two lots of flowers delivered to the house and prepared them with balloons and my Valentines card to her.  I had the scene ready for her in her room, then when she come home and was going up stairs I followed her up to get her reaction   Heather loved this, but I also thought that she would think if I was going to propose on this trip it would have been then

Now let me pause here to say that the night before, Gav and I were just chatting when I suddenly said “marry me” with a smile. He said I couldn’t ask before he did And for a moment at dinner, I thought he was simply doing what I had the night before…asking but not really asking.

Once I realized that wait, he has a ring and he’s said “yes I am serious” two or three times, the man deserved a clear answer! So I said, “Absolutely!”

Gav: I was so happy that I almost forgot to put the ring on her beautiful finger

What’s next?

A handful of people have been surprised to learn that Gav is from England. That he has a UK passport. That he’s not an American expat living in England but that London has always been his home. So in case you didn’t know, now you do

Gav: Yes, I am English.  It did surprise me a little that a lot of people, even ones we spoke to, assumed I was an American living in England!

Since Gav’s not an American citizen, getting married and being together involves some extra steps. First, we need the K1 fiance visa. We completed and filed the petition, and someone working for US Citizenship and Immigration Services is currently reviewing our case. Lawyers, online timelines, and even USCIS itself all offer different date ranges for when it could be approved, so for now, we’re patiently waiting for updates.

The K1 process involves a fair amount of paperwork, documentation of a genuine relationship, financial resources, and patience. Once we’re further along in the process, I will write about our experiences. We thought about a do-it-yourself approach to save money but have opted to go with a lawyer who charges a fair fee for the level of support we actually need (which is low compared to most couples who need translation services and the like).

Once Gav has the visa, he has six months in which to enter the USA. Once he arrives on US soil, we have 90 days in which to get married. After we’re married, we can begin the paperwork to adjust his status and pursue his green card and work authorization.

Many people have asked about wedding dates and when we will start planning! We hope to decide on a date in the next couple of months and will begin serious planning after a month or so of simply enjoying this time of being newly engaged.

Thank you again to everyone who has showered us with love and support so far. It’s meant the world to both of us. ♥

Gav: I would also like to thank everyone for all the love and support shown to us. Thank you everyone, also thanks to such a lovely family – Heather’s parents and sisters are great