Sam and Kat - An Amazing Proposal

Sam and Kat met about eight years ago at Dicey Riley’s. It was one of those ‘Titantic’ moments when Kat was coming down the stairs and Sam was totally captivated by this descending vision. Needless to say Kat, fortunately, felt the same way when spotting Sam.

The proposal was amazing. Sam and Kat enjoy horse racing – it was one Valentine’s Day when they attended a meeting at Eagle Farm. Sam decided to buy a program and suggested Kat check to see if there were any horses worth backing in the next race (race 2). Kat opened the program and the name of the race was “Marry Me Kat” – and, just in case Kat wasn’t certain what was meant here, a picture of them was emblazoned aside the field of horses. All thoughts of horse bets were off as Kat enthusiastically agreed.

Sam and Kat were married at Eagle Farm racecourse on the 10^th October last year (10/10/2010). The wedding ceremony was to be held trackside but the heavens opened that day – inches of rain fell, the course was flooded. Happily the ceremony was held inside. I remember saying at the ceremony that if it rains on your wedding day you are being blessed and also that it was an ancient sign of fertility, which must be true as the birth of their first child is imminent (due last week) . In fact it may well be happening right now!

Rox and Dave - Snapshot of a Proposal

Dave likes dolphins as he reckons they are intelligent, energetic and elegant. A bit like his wife Rox whom he married just today. Rox reckons dogs are wonderful and is inspired by their playfulness, sincerity and the fact they are always your best friend. A bit like Dave no doubt.

They met many years ago – Dave was a supervisor of Griff’s Express – a coffee shop/cafe at Griffith Uni. Rox worked there and thought her boss was OK and brought him coffees while he was doing the paperwork. Dave viewed Rox as a star employee. So it was that they continually made excuses to see each other. Finally they made arrangements to go to dinner and see a movie “The Village” at Garden City. Dave says he does not remember much of the movie – his thoughts were on Rox.

So began a romance that culminated in a trip along the Great Ocean Road. It was 7 years ago today (September 17^th) that they happened to visit Port Campbell and were inspired by the 12 Apostles (that’s if there was 12 then!). They left with the memories of a beautiful location. Dave suggested to Rox, later that day, they drive back again to that Apostolic place to view the sunset. Rox agreed. While there Dave asked a tourist to take a photo of them. With the Apostles as a background. As the tourist was about to snap the photo Dave knelt on one knee and asked Rox to marry him. Rox had no hesitation in saying she would. They actually have a photo of their proposal (although there is no sound on it).

Today, exactly 7 years ago to that proposal date, they were married at Victoria Park Golf Club at Herston in Brisbane. The weather was magical – a bit like their relationship “beautiful one day, perfect the next.” Ninety six people attended, four groomsmen , resplendent in royal blue ties and shiny new pocket watches, and four bridesmaids looking stunning in royal blue dresses. And Rox and Dave, smiling as ever, a picture of happiness.

After the ceremony I asked them how they felt. Rox said she felt “content and excited” while Dave reckons he was “ecstatic and relieved” (probably because he said his vows so smoothly). And far off in the distance there were two dogs Kaiser and Freja who were barking with delight for their master and mistress had found a true soulmate.

Interestingly Freja is the Norse God for love and beauty – how appropriate is that!

Link Buddies to Love Buddies - The Story of Jodi and Seb

I first met Jodi as a student in Year 8 English  at St Peters Lutheran College.-Jodi was the student. She was compassionate and had a sense of justice and determination about her. I knew she would go far. The next year she went to Indooroopilly High. It was there, as organiser of the link buddy program that she met Seb. He was new to the school and she said she abused her power to get herself as his link buddy. They became friends and eventually partners in life.

Seb visited Jodi in Canberra many years later where she was completing a Masters Course in law. They well firm believers in patronising ‘happy hour specials.’ Seb was all prepared for a proposal but the happy hour interfered – they were too busy making the most of 60 minutes. Finally Seb asked Jodi to “look at that tree over there.” While she was looking he whipped out the ring and asked her to marry him. Jodie enthusiastically agreed and they ordered a bottle of Moet to celebrate. It was the happiest hour one could imagine.

Jodi loves Seb’s warm heartedness and his ability to make her laugh. She feels he balances her serious side and can think of nothing better than an evening with Seb.

Seb loves Jodi’s sense of organisation, her encouraging and supportive nature and how she selflessly gets involved with people and causes.  She is his best friend and one true love.

Jodi and Seb were married last Saturday ( September 10^th) at “Aqua Linea.” It was a sunny but cool day. The groomsmen very chivalrously gave up their jackets for the bridesmaids during the ceremony after Seb’s example in draping his bride with his own jacket. The reception was brilliant – one of many highlights was the “candy buffet” where people could select their own lollies to take home.

The next phase of their life is exciting – next week Jodi heads to Oxford – she is a recipient of the General Sir John Monash Scholarship (worth $150,000) to study her PhD in consumer law.  Congratulations Jodi. Congratulations Jodi and Seb for your inspiring relationship – true love buddies.

A Fateful Coffee (meeting Trish part 2)

Three weeks after first meeting Trish I received a phone call from her. She obviously remembered my surname , that I lived at Mt Gravatt and was keen for the coffee I’d invited her to have.  We arranged to meet at La Scoops, a coffee shop at Coorparoo, the following Tuesday evening at 7-30pm. Every Tuesday night I played squash with friends at 5-30pm so finished my game of squash, hurried home, showered and changed and sat in my trusty Toyota Corona to head off. Amazingly the Corona would not start. I did not have Trish’s number to ring her and thought “do I want to see this lady?” as I knew that if I didn’t front any such hope would vanish – she’d be unlikely to ring me again if I stood her up. I decided to knock on my neighbour's door. When John answered the door I asked him “are you busy?”

“No, not really!”

“You couldn’t drive me to Coorparoo, could you?”

He happily agreed and I duly arrived at the coffee shop, perhaps about ten minutes late and Trish, punctual as ever, was already there. We had an engaging evening and she kindly offered to drive me  home alleviating the need for a 6 kilometre walk on my part. When we arrived at my place  I asked her if she’d like to come in and see my kitchen. “No thanks, I need to be off!”she replied bluntly while holding her keys in the attack position.

“But I’ve had a new kitchen installed today and no one’s seen it – I’d love you to have a look!” (true). She did come in and was impressed with my kitchen and I think it gave me some brownie points, although when she went to my bathroom the brownie points quickly plunged into the minuses. Fortunately she overlooked thethick purple felt wall papered bathroom. That was fourteen years ago and I still ask her every day "care for a coffee?"

Peter Waterman's Blog: How Trish and I Met

Peter Waterman's Blog: How Trish and I Met: It was Easter Saturday evening and I attended church at St Mary's at South Brisbane. It was a great Church - one that was different. There w...

How Trish and I Met

It was Easter Saturday evening and I attended church at St Mary's at South Brisbane. It was a great Church - one that was different. There were Chinese dragon dancers that evening and I felt the message reverberating within me was to go out and embrace the dragon. I decided to go dancing. A friend had told me about a dance at the Cyrian Club on Vulture Street - near by to the Church. I loved dancing and while dancing with a lady spotted this beautiful woman standing on the side of the dance floor, talking to her friend. She was tall, elegant and had a bubbly laugh. I vowed to ask her to dance, which I did next dance and she looked at me for a few seconds, smiled and said "yes".  She certianly left an impression - her shoulder bag that she danced with swung around and hit me in the groin. I swear there was a brick in there. I danced just a few dances with her and asked her for another dance later. At the end of the night I said to Trish "my last name is Waterman, I live at Mt Gravatt - why don't you give me a ring sometime and we could catch up for a cup of coffee?"
"I don't want a relationship!" she protested.
"No, a cup of coffee will be fine!" I replied. I left it at that and we said our goodbyes. For three weeks I heard nothing and must say that I forgot about the lovely lady I met that night and did not expect to see her again. (Story continues on my next blog)