Mars and Deborah together in Adelaide

I had never experienced love like this before and it is quite an experience to know that Mars feels exactly the same way. My closest friends and my sister positively encouraged me to make the journey to meet Mars, they could all see that this love was for real. There was no cynicism or warnings to be careful. 

Eventually after more than 2 days of tedious travelling I came into the arrivals hall at Adelaide Airport, I just instinctively knew he wouldn't stand in amongst the crowd, but would be by the doors, so I made my way to the exit and there he was standing alone, looking very nervous, clutching a small bag. My heart just somersaulted and I could feel all this love surge through me and wash away the exhaustion of all that travelling without much sleep. 

As I walked towards him, he questioningly asked "Deborah"? When I replied by wrapping my arms around him he knew after all those months of waiting that we had finally achieved what we had hoped and dreamed for and actually met each other in person. It was like coming home. He presented me with a cute little koala bear, holding a heart, with "I love you" written across it. But I could see by the look in his eyes that he loved me, I didn't need any symbolic gestures or gifts.

It was early morning, we drove to a kiosk over looking the sea, where we had hot drinks, and I remember him staring at me, as though he couldn't quite believe I was there. He just kept looking and shaking his lovely head at me in wonderment. And over the next few days I repeatedly caught him looking at me in that way, a look that said I can't believe this is actually happening to me. His eyes were just full of love and every time I looked into them I just melted. 

I positively knew I loved this man even before we met, and those feelings didn't fade the day I walked into his arms. There were no moments of awkwardness, we were so relaxed in each other's company. Each night was heaven knowing his face would be the last thing I saw before I drifted off into sleep, knowing I would wake up beside him, knowing I would be able to reach out and touch him, that he wouldn't just be an image on my computer screen. Each day rolled into the next, we couldn't get enough of each other. We visited his grandparents, I met his friends, he showed me his beautiful country and I fell in love with it all.

During our time together, we tried not to think of the day I would have to return home. We knew we it was going to be hard, but nothing prepared us for the feelings of total devastation and real heartache, real pain, and lots and lots of tears. I remember physically shaking as I walked away from him to the immigration hall. That journey back to the UK was the hardest thing I have ever had to endure in my life, knowing that each long slow minute was taking me further and further away from him. 

Mars is coming over to the UK for Christmas and New Year. We plan to get married as soon as it is feasibly possible and we will make our home in Australia. What was once a dream will become a reality for us and I just know the day we get married will be the happiest day of our lives. Never in my life time did I think a love like this could exist. 

A few words for those cynics out there, if you can't have hopes and aspire to your dreams of happiness what is there left? If you chose to err on the side of caution you will never realise true happiness, chose to only live your life on dead certainties and you will live your life with regrets. And for those of us who have to endure time apart from those we love, just remember, absence is to love what wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small, it inflames the great. 

To Mars, distance nor time can separate souls that refuse to be divided. I will love you always.

"Deborah"

Continued in Part Three, Part Four and Part Five. Looking for Part One? It's here.