Our Proposal Story

For me, good things happen in Northern Italy. It's where my life began. It's where my mother and father agreed they wanted to have a child at a wedding in Bergamo. It's where I spent my 18th birthday, in the midst of Carnivale in Venice. So when my partner and I were approaching our six year anniversary, we decided to spend five days in Milan to celebrate the milestone.

The day of our actual anniversary came around, and we decided to do the most recommended tourist attraction Milan has to offer: we decided to visit the stunning Milan Cathedral and then ascend to the Duomo di Milano. Due to our budget, we went for the cheapest ticket option, which meant we could enter the cathedral and then go up to the roof, but had to go by foot rather than paying the extra few Euros to go up by elevator. Inside, the experience was breathtaking. The Gothic Cathedral, uniquely designed, took centuries to complete.

A habit I've never really been able to shake is that whenever I enter a beautiful European cathedral, I will always feel compelled to light a candle where possible inside the building and say a prayer for my worries. Though I wouldn't consider myself strictly Christian, I know it's what my mother would do and so I find myself putting wax to flame nonetheless. The experience would have felt more spiritual were it not for the sheer amount of tourists swarming in and out of the building, leaving you feeling like a fish caught in a strong tide.

Eventually we began our ascension to the roof via a rectangular tower. It was at this point I remembered that I am not only afraid of heights, but I am horribly claustrophobic. As I walked up the seemingly never-ending and windowless tower, I regretted my choice of shoes - flip flops. Not great for climbing. When we finally got to the top, I had been fighting off a panic attack which came to fruition at the top as I saw how high up I was and began panicking. I got to the point that my breathing was shaky and I involuntarily started to cry, hot tears splashing from behind my dark black aviators. It didn't really conceal much though. My Italian is pretty shaky but I heard the guy behind me say to his friend, 'Oh, that poor girl!' My partner held my hand and lead me along slowly. I began to feel that, as long as I was with her, I would never have reason to be afraid. I calmed myself as we walked from the back of the building towards the front. The views, in truth, were spectacular. You can see for miles, rooftops beneath a sapphire sky. Just when I had calmed down, I saw there were more stairs. I began to hyperventilate. I could hear two Italians behind me saying, 'oh, that poor girl!' Nonetheless, Hannah held my hand and lead me on.

There is a spot near the very top of the cathedral where you can sit upon a stone bench and look down on the open square. Everything from up high looks so small. I forced myself to look down and fully absorb the moment, fighting my fear. I mean, I hyperventilated for a few good minutes. But eventually I calmed down. If you just force yourself to look down long enough, sometimes the fear subsides. Accept the height to take in the beauty, I told myself. I had a wonderful partner at my side and, just by sitting together, I felt safer. I knew I would always feel safer with her by my side. Eventually, she coaxed me over to a balcony to the side of the cathedral.We squeezed in and looked out over the rooftop and hustle and bustle of tourists going to and fro amongst the alleyways. There was just enough room for the two of us to stand there. I decided to push my boundaries just a little. I took my arm, and held it out over the balcony, and looked down.

'There,' I said, 'that's my brave deed for the day.'

'Have you enjoyed these last six years?' Han asked me.
I said yes.
'Do you want to keep doing stuff like this?'
Again, I said yes.
She sank to one knee, raising up a box housing a ring with sapphires matching the perfect blue of the sky above. I think she said something else, but I was too busy saying yes.

'Yes, of course,' are the words that I believe escaped my lips. Suddenly my fear vanished and my all too perfect fiancee earned her new status by ensuring we got the elevator back down to the ground.

How To Know If They're "The One": Halloween Edition

There are points in our relationships that solidify one humble and solitary truth: this is the person that I am meant to be with.

It's not something we always realise instantly. It often takes a foundation of love, trust and respect. Along the way there are several important discussions. We discuss our responsibilities within the relationship. We discuss whether or not we want marriage. We discuss whether or not we want to have children. Once we know that we're on the same page as the person we've chosen to share our life with, it feels like a bridge has been crossed and we're now on the same page and we can peacefully continue our relationship. There is, however, one crucial discussion that all couples need but somehow forget. Once this all important conversation has arisen and been thoroughly discussed in depth it will reveal whether or not you and your partner are compatible...

This conversation in particular is, of course, the ever crucial zombie apocalypse survival discussion.

Yes.

How do you know if you and your sweetheart are meant to be if you don't know your plan for when the undead begin to walk the Earth?
I mean surely the conversation starts with where you in the event of a rage virus outbreak. Do you move into your home together? Do you move into their apartment? How much clothing do you pack? If you live together do you stay there in that home or move elsewhere? Should you fix that slick crack in the window now to prevent zombie breakage later? Which side of the bed do you sleep on and under which pillow do you hide a handy axe?

You then have to discuss the rights and responsibilities of the situation. Who takes on the role of zombie lookout? Who is better at firing a gun? Is your shared home/location big enough for a large supply of weaponry and long-lasting canned goods? You need to discuss your tactics because no one wants to be slowed down by a partner with lousy survival tactics that will ultimately land them, and possibly yourself, in the position of becoming zombie food.

Then we come to the most crucial part of the discussion: what happens if one of you becomes infected. If you're truly in love there should be a pang of sadness in your heart at the very idea of your beloved becoming a member of the living dead but it's also a good idea to discuss what you do in the situation. Anyone who has watched a zombie film probably knows that gut-wrenching moment when the realisation hits: there isn't much time and this person is infected and soon to turn into a zombie. You have to take action and you need to do so very quickly. Now there are two really good options. The first is that you agree to do the humane thing for you both and you kill your partner so there's one less zombie in the world and you at least have a higher chance or survival. The second, and arguably more romantic route, is to stay by the side of your darling and become their food source and hopefully become infected with the same virus. This way you can continue your life together as you run around eating all the humans and causing general global terror but hey - at least you're doing it together!

If you both have a coherent zombie apocalypse survival plan and can agree on tactics and life-saving decisions, you're sorted because if you've got your relationship planned from this point until the dawn of the zombie apocalypse, you know you're set for life. Don't forget: a couple that slays together stays together.

Time For A Holiday

I'm starting to think about taking a little holiday somewhere. Next month I want to go back to the town in which I attended university and in November I'm thinking about going abroad somewhere nice. If I do, expect some cool travel articles and reviews. If you have any recommendations for cheap holiday destinations in Europe, let me know in the comments.

Anniversary!

Hello, lovely readers!

I'm away from the blog today as it is my anniversary with my beloved partner. As of today we've been together for four years. I can honestly say that I've found the one for me. Though we may drive each other crazy, this year alone our relationship has been strengthened. We evolve and grow with each other. We give each other the support we need. We provide each other with the love we need and deserve. She honestly makes me so happy that sometimes I feel that contentment radiates from every pore.

Today the two of us are out having an adventure to celebrate.
If there's someone you love, go tell them today.

Song of the Day: Valentine by Kina Grannis

This was the obvious song choice for our song of the day.

Spread some love and positivity today.

Enjoy,

Valentines: Write Your Feelings

So it's February and we all have a week until Valentine's Day...

Many people dislike this holiday as they see it to be a shameless exploitation of the people in an attempt to sell chocolates and cards. Personally I love Valentine's Day. I think it gives people an opportunity, an excuse even, to do something romantic where they may not have had courage to do so previously. It's nice to have a day dedicated to love. So if you don't want to buy your sweetheart something why not write them a letter? 
So much of our communication nowadays is digital that there's actually something really romantic about the idea of just writing out your feelings on paper and giving them to the person of your affections. It's a simple token of affection. Why not try it? I always do and it keeps my relationship strong. Seeing the words "I love you" in ink is just such a timeless gift.

Exercise Dates

So as Valentine's Day rolls ever closer I wonder why people so often pander to the same kind of date we're told are romantic. Sure, candle lit dinners and movies are fun but here's something my partner and I have enjoyed in the past: exercise dates.

Why not go to the gym with your partner and break a sweat together? Why not throw on your sensible shoes and have a playful jog, racing against each other to see who gets home first? Why not go swimming and do laps up and down the pool trying to chase your partner and grab a cheeky underwater bottom grab? It just seems like such a fun way to spend time with your partner whilst maintaining your health as a couple. This is a great one if you both had "lose weight" or "get fit" on your New Years Resolutions. It's often easier to stay healthy if you do it with another person.

Song of the Day: Teenage Dream by Brittani Louise Taylor

For a "parody" this isn't exactly a funny song.

It manages to get you right in the feels.
I remember feeling horribly emotional when I first watched it so I'm sharing it with you.

Song of the Day: You Are My Sunshine by Johnny Cash

So... I'm currently living in the sucky realm of the long distance relationship which leaves me a sad, emotional woman a lot of the time. In fact when I hear songs like this it automatically triggers little bursts of sad feelings. I don't like being parted from my partner. 

So here, listen and feel my feels.

Enjoy,

"Danny and Annie" from StoryCorps

This is a video that my mother sent me without really telling me what it was about.
Like most things, I feel this video is best watched with no prior knowledge so please do me the honour of watching this video, just click play now.

This really resonated with me since I've been sending my partner daily love letters since we've been apart. If there's someone in your life you love, go hug and kiss them. I'm trying to find out how I too can write to Annie. 

Happy FriGay

George Takei, overlord of internet awesomeness, is at it again. George Takei recently responded to some individual responses in favour of 'traditional' marriage at a recent protest. Now, of course, the comment section below it is full of stupid, but that's not my point. Takei so wittily pokes fun at their assumptions of marriage. Some of the arguments are cliché or pretty weak. I'm super hired of hearing "it's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve."

So I can't marry my long term partner because of a religion I'm not entirely sure I follow and utterly outdated cliché phrases? Gee, that's ace.

It takes a king and a queen to make a princess? Well isn't it splendid that we aren't part of the monarchy.

God 'created us that way'? What way? Naked and surrounded by vagina? Believe me, there are a lot of lesbians who are with you on that one.

'Traditional marriage' is traditional because change has not previously been allowed. Change would widen that notion of 'traditional marriage' to make it inclusive of all love regardless of gender or gender identity. Marriage is an evolving institution. To argue that marriage is solely about procreation ignores all the legal rights and responsibilities and their importance. These are significant rights that all loving couples show have access to. Using outdated cliché statements and sweeping generalisations to marginalise and belittle the loving relationships of thousands and millions of people out there who love in a way that society deems deviant and somehow less because of theological and ideological notions that stem mainly from religions that not everyone follows. This is a huge, problematic and ongoing debate. What's important here is love. The legitimacy or parental ability of two people should not be questioned based on gender. Gay marriage is making leaps and bounds at the moment and I hope it continues to do so.

Until then I hope people keep fighting and educating.

Here are the images that remind us why Takei is al kinds of awesome: