When I first met the Huz I just knew he was the one, so bloody clichéd but also very true. Before the Huz showed up in my life I had kissed a few frogs, so I knew what I did and didn’t want from a relationship. That he made my heart skip a beat, was a dead set spunk and he treated me like a Queen kinda clinched the deal. Fast forward twenty five years and he still makes my heart flutter and these days we are more in love. But relationships don’t just happen, they need nurturing and attention…and dare I say it a little romance helps too
How I met the Huz
When I was twenty one and living on the Gold Coast I packed up my Holden Camira and headed North to Hervey Bay (in Queensland) to live with a friend who needed a flatmate. I needed a change of scenery and to not be in a relationship, so it seemed like an adventure.
Turns out that ‘no relationship’ dream wasn’t to be because my first night in town was spent with my flatmate, her boyfriend and his cousin…a hunk of spunk guy who changed my life forever.
All four of us enjoyed a fun night and dinner at the Pizza Hut, remember the red and white gingham place-mats and paper tablecloths you could draw on? I guess you could say it was our first ‘date’ because we have been together ever since.
Romance doesn’t need to be big and flashy
Fast forward a few decades and we have been married for twenty three years and now have two adult sons, life is good. We don’t go in for big romantic gestures because being nice to each other every day and spending time together is more important.
However there was that one Valentines Day when I was close to giving birth with baby number one where he excelled. He waited until I was asleep and made a huge papier mache heart with loving words written on it and suspended it from helium balloons. He then blew up over one hundred balloons and filled our little unit with them. When I woke up in the morning it was a sea of balloons and some flowers…simple, not expensive but, I still remember it with fondness.
He’s a keeper!
These days Valentines Day isn’t really our thing, sometimes we celebrate either side of the Hallmark day but mostly we add some romance to our relationship with a regular nice dinner out. The kind of dinner date filled with anticipation where I frock up a little, we enjoy a good meal with a fancy drink or two and reminisce about special moments over the years while making sexy eyes at each other.
Enjoying a romantic dinner at Sean’s Kitchen restaurant
In fact we did just that this week when we dined at Sean’s Kitchen at the Adelaide Casino. Sean’s Kitchen is chef Sean Connolly’s New York inspired restaurant, diners can enjoy a modern menu fused with quality local produce. You can choose to dine alfresco style along Station Lane, inside the hub of the restaurant or upstairs in the New York style loft which offers diners an extra special more intimate dining experience or is perfect for special events.
The Huz and I enjoyed a cheeky cocktail each
An amazing and colourful entrée of ‘Pea Risotto’ and a ‘Heirloom Tomato Salad’. WE couldn’t decide which we wanted more so we shared the two, the Huz loved the salad and the risotto was a hit with me.
Onto the main course and I enjoyed ‘Orgy Of Mushrooms’ with ricotta gnocchi…OMG, sooooo good! The Huz was won over by the split baby chicken with fig and foie gras salad. Sounds fancy, tasted fabulous 🙂
I ‘almost never‘ get defeated by dessert but look…baked New York cheesecake still sitting on the plate because my eyes are bigger than my tummy! The Huz did well to polish of the Pimped Golden North Ice Cream, I had a sneaky taste and it was goooood!
After making ‘sexy eyes’ at each other over dinner we took a walk along Station Lane, and I made ‘sexy legs’.The Huz captured it all 🙂
GIVEAWAY, a dinner for two at Sean’s Kitchen.
EDIT…NOW CLOSED. WINNER JULIE WILSON. Thanks to the good folk at Sean’s Kitchen and Adelaide Casino I have a dinner for two to give away. Just tell me ‘why you fell in love with your significant other?’
Giveaway open to Australian residents aged 18+and closes Tues 23rd Jan 2018. Winner contacted 24/1/2018. Prize is a dinner for two at Sean’s kitchen to the value of $150, valid for twelve months and cannot be exchanged for cash. Winner notified on Styling Curvy blog and Facebook Page
Putting the spark back in your relationship
So how do you stay connected with your partner or even spark up a little romance? While we love eating out there are certainly some other ways to show your significant other you love them. They don’t need to big and flashy or expensive options (but it doesn’t hurt occasionally), just things you both like or maybe things you used to like doing together before kids and work got in the way.
Here’s 16 ideas to add/keep some spark in your relationship…
-making the trip to Bunnings without whingeing
-packing a picnic and heading off on an unplanned adventure to the hills, beaches or countryside.
-make a playlist of their favourite songs
-play them while you enjoy a home cooked dinner together
-write a love letter, and mail it to them
-plan a weekly dinner date or coffee date. A time to connect, chat or plan.
-take dancing lessons
-send them a text everyday with a love message
-pack a lunchbox with a hidden love note
-hold hands
-play a board game together
-see a movie during the day or enjoy a movie marathon session at home
-go market hopping and explore a neighborhood you don’t know
-take a cooking class or cocktail making class together
-take a bike ride together
-frock up and enjoy a romantic dining experience at a fabulous restaurant
Hands up who would like a romantic and tasty dinner with their partner?
Til next time,
Jen x
this is a sponsored post in collaboration with Sean’s Kitchen and Adelaide Casino. Read more on my disclosure policy.
Damn girl, great article! Sounded like me and my man. Love him to bits even after 36 years! Don’t you love it though when you go out for dinner and people watch around you and the younger generation are on a ‘date’ but sit there on their phone (both of them) or staring into space waiting for there meal to arrive! We can’t wait to have ‘us’ time and never shut up – and hold hands….😉
I am always guilty of being on my phone at some stage over dinner because I love snapping pics. Hand holding is under rated, I am mad for ir 😃 and 36 years is awesome!
I love this. I fell for my husband 20 years ago and it finally took me demanding him to be my dage to a friends 18th for him to fall in love with me. I was 16 he was 22 but age was nothing. I moved in with him 3 weeks later, engaged before I was 18 and married qt 20. I have spent over half my life with him and will never stop getting butterflies when he brushes past me. We run 2 businesses together sp rarely spend more than 5 hours apart but I still smile every night I fall asleep next to him.
Wow Kylie you were young but the connection of the heart knows no boundaries. Lucky you demanded that date x
He was my best friend, purely platonic! I was going through a hard time and I went and spent 6 weeks with my best friend in New Zealand. He had moved back to his home and was living with his Nana, but Nana opened her home and her heart to me, and they both helped me heal. Whilst healing, we spent a lot of time together talking and then those sneaky feelings started to come into our relationship and before we knew it, we were presented with the almighty where do we go from here? We decided to go forward together and 25 years together, my best friend is still my best friend, my husband, my lover, the father to our 2 amazing boys. Even way back then, we knew we were meant for each other, we just had to get our act together. I believe that being friends first has helped our relationship grow and continue to grow.
Now our boys are making lives of their own, we are rediscovering ourselves and I am so happy that we are in this together.
Love it karen, isn’t that connection/reconnection when kids get older fun?! Enjoy
I fell in love with my husband because he allowed me to see myself as a person for the first time. He didn’t expect me to be perfect, he didn’t demand anything of me… he just loved me (and still does). He accepts me as I am, and even on my worst days he reminds me that I am loved. He is genuine and funny, and he helps me to see the beauty in the world. How could I not fall in love with such a pure, and loving human being?!
A keeper for sure Robyn ❤
I fell head over heels literally… We were in about our third date & we went to the races. As we were walking out I took my shoes off (because I’m classy like that & also heels) and then my next step was right onto a broken beer bottle- which I didn’t see as I was too busy making sexy eyes at my date.
Long story short, an ambulance ride & ten stitches later & I was in love.
He stayed by my side the whole time, holding my hand & making jokes.
My husband is unwavering & caring & always makes the best of funny/crappy situations.
Ouch!!! Thankfully it all turned out well❤
I met my husband at 17yo….he was 19. I loved that he was my rebel without a cause and picked me up in his motorbike. We took long rides into the country and then had lunch. My heart skipped a beat too, whenever I heard him come to get me. Turned out he was Mr Nice Guy and a real softie. That was 35 years ago! He shits me to death sometimes, but date night is essential and entwined the love that binds us. We have 2 kids, almost 21 and 18. Love this post Jen! ❤️
Oh that sounds crazy/romantic/rebellious….and so wonderful that you have date nights still. One of my first boyfriends had a motorcycle and they are scarily exhilarating 👌
The Daz and i met at work. We were in the tea room & i said to him “so you’re the new lad” he promptly replied with “i am not a lad i’m a Maaan”.
Needless to say he got my attention. I asked questions to work colleagues about him & word got around that i fancied him.
We were seated next to each other at a work function and a week later he asked me to go away with him for the weekend with another couple. We have been together ever since.
Lucky you persisted and said ‘yes’ to the weekend away invite❤
I fell in love with my husband because he saw “me” , everthing,and loved me more than I loved myself .He loved me so much that I couldn’t and still can’t recognise the person he sees !
Trust in his love and see that person he loves x
Me and my better half, met when we worked together, with a few sparks initially we ended up together after his then girlfriend( who was my colleague) ditched him for some other guy. It all started over a cup of coffee and we connected well. A cup of tea or coffee overlooking beaches, mountains, high rises ( all d places/ cities we stayed so far) brings in d best of our feelings as each time we go back to those first few cups and how it went. Finally we have made adelaide our permanent home and so d day begins sitting next to my beautiful pots in d garden, looking at sunrise from d mountains… ahhh sharing morning tea with him , is d only way i can say is the way my day has to start and That decides too abour my whole day…. we currently have a small kid, but when he makes plan for lunch dates ditching work and coffee dates during d week when our kid is still at childcare is a total win n romantic for me. We r not into gifts and flashy things. We always ended up messing it up so we left it there n decided to enjoy our relationship beyond gifts…. its been 16 years that i know him and 12 being married to him but the way he touches me and looks at me still make my heart skip a beat… i cant say any one special moment that he won over coz tbere r plenty.. but spending my mornings, evenings, days years with this man is d only life i think i have know n so far
True love…enjoy x
He was 2 years ahead of me at school & I thought he was so cute. We became friends through his brother & my heart always skipped a beat when he was near. We went away with a group of friends & I poured ice water over him when he was in the shower (with some help). I think that got his attention…. 25 years later….My husband was is and always be my best friend. He’s the first persons I want to share good news with and the first 1 I want to go to when things get me down. We want to spend time together with our 2 beauriful kids we made. Our son is about to do year 12 & our daughter is in year 10. Life is hectic so a walk down the beach with the dog together just the 2 of us is nice (and a stress reliever). He is always there to listen & love.
Haha a cheeky start but sounds like you have a great life together.
I met my soulmate driving on a freeway, doing 100 kms a hour, heading to my first sewing class, I glanced over and saw a handsome looking bloke, who I thought maybe be an undercover cop because of the car and his blue shirt. I smiled at him cause in my hand was my mobile phone, naughty I know but I figured a big smile might get me off a ticket. He followed me to my class, it was an anxious drive as I was anticipating the blue lights coming on!! I parked my car and after a couple of minutes, he approached my car,. No ticket, he asked if I’d like to have a coffee with him, what the hell? No was my response, he asked for my phone number, after a casual chat, I liked what I saw and obviously he liked my smile, I gave him my phone number and we have been inseparable for 11.5 years.
It hasn’t been easy and we have had many ups and downs, communication and respect for each other makes us work!!
Way better than a ticket!!
Sounds like you two have a truly wonderful relationship. I am envious, survivor of abuse, as this will likely never be for me. I wish you both every joy and happiness over the next 25 years of your life together. Go girl!
Thanks lou, sorry to hear of your past. Wishing you ALL the joy in life x
We all have our different set of shit to deal with. I’m strong and love reading about you and yours and the strength and guts you show. A fabulous role model. You make me smile, laugh and cry just like chatting with a bestie
Great story still together with my man married 43yrs in April there are good bad and indifferent days but most days we still have the look and the smirk that cute smirk I saw all those years ago. We have never broken our trust in each other and that I think is the glue that ultimately sticks us together and having our daughter and son and son in law and the best granddaughter and grandson is the icing on the cake. 💖💖💖
Trust and respect always, enjoy those grandbabies Maxine
I met my husband 22 years ago on a Saturday night in an an Irish bar in England, I lost his number and thought I’d never see him again but 2 weeks later I was at the same bar on a Friday night and was just about to leave (collecting my coat) when he walked in the door, that was the first Friday night he had ever been there as he started work at 4am on Saturdays. We went on a date a few nights later to a Mexican restaurant and sat and talked and talked and talked. We went away for a weekend to the beach a month after meeting (nothing like our beautiful beaches) and that was when we both knew we had found our soul mates, we got engaged after being together for 2 months and married within the year in Australia. We moved back to Australia in 2002 and have 4 beautiful amazing daughters. We both work full time, he works away and is home only on weekends, we go out for a walk when we can for our date nights .
Meant to be! The huz and I were engaged after 5 months….when you know you know x
Wow that is a good online dating story. Nothing like those long chatty phone calls x
After giving up on ever meeting my soulmate in Australia, I decided to maybe move back to my Birthcountry Germany to settle back and find the one. The trip was booked and I was torn as i fought for 10 years to gain australian citizenship. For fun i signed up for online dating a month before leaving…and sure enough found my ( Now) Man.On our first meeting he took my breath away…I still went OS scared we wouldnt make it through it. But sure enough we did. We even moved in 2 months after my return!!!ever since it has been ♡US♡ and iam not letting go off him again. Cheers to LOVE
I’m not a “Valentines Day” girl either. I’d much rather romantic gestures just because than because Hallmark says. I’m still falling in love with my partner everyday. I love him to the moon and back already, but everyday I see him (we don’t live together yet), there is another little piece that makes me love him more. He has the kindest of hearts that comes from his very being. He gives so much of himself to not just me but to everyone. Whether it’s opening a door for me (and whoever is close behind), his spare change for the guy on the street, adopting an abandoned kitten or encouraging and supporting (emotionally and practically) me and my children (from a previous marriage). Nothing is beyond him, everything he does comes from a place of love and respect. He is attentive and gentle. I can’t wait to watch him love our little bundle when it arrives in May.
I love your blog and your tell it how it posts Jen. You’re an inspiration xx
Our Wedding Anniversary is 26th Feb. We’ve be together 28 years and married for 24. We’ve had 2 beautiful sons and survived ADHD, the move back to Adelaide from Perth, a heart attack, unemployment and many other challenges. Last year was probably the most challenging. But through it all, we’ve maintained a closeness that you can only get from being with someone over half your life. We are starting to rediscover each other as a couple now they boys are semi independent. Our first camping trip in 19 years on own, forgotten music, binge watching favourite series, kayak trips and long walks, movies and dinner. I’m looking forward to this next phase, I think it’ll be a good one. x
I met my hubby 30 years ago the first time I laid eyes on him I said to myself I’m going to marry that man – met through a friend’s brother – hubby is from Jersey Channel Islands he was here on a tourist visa and had to go back within 2 months – I followed him over there took two months off work to see where he lived – we spent the next two years going backwards and forwards between Australia and Jersey and then finally he popped the question and then he immigrated – 2 kids later live blissfully together still have ups and downs but can’t imagine being without him
I’ve known my husband for about 19 years, we’d played tennis for the same club in and off for about three years. One night I saw him out with a mutual friend of ours, Stewart. Stew was one of my friends that always kisses me hello, my now hubby, cane in for a kiss hello too that night and took me by the hand. He didn’t let it go all night.
A couple of weeks later he was sitting in my kitchen and he confessed how he felt about me, he’d fancied me for three years and I had noooo idea! I took a punt on him and placed my heart in his hands. Fast forward 16 years we have married, he has shared in the raising of my beautiful son and helped mound him into a great man and we have a daughter… keeping our love real and alive is very important to us as we know our children will grow up and leave home. And then it’s just us!
I once had a clairvoyant reading that said I would meet a man who drove a black car , had nice hands and be married with 2 kids by the time I was 30! I thought to myself yer right! With a few failed relationships and a failed engagement under my belt I thought I was destined to be the single cool aunt forever. Fast forward 4 years ……
At the time I was dating a frog and working in a pharmacy in Shepparton . We had a new Locum pharmacist arriving all the way from Cairns. Interested to see who would trek all the way from cairns to Shepparton we awaited his arrival. He was keeping his sister company while she completed a beauty course. Well blow and behold the new pharmacist drove a 2 door black car, was gorgeous looking and had me saying in my mind whoa I could marry you! Nice hands also….
The following weeks we became friends and he became the new popular attraction for the girls of Shepparton. I remember my mum (bless her soul) calling into my work and saying Lauren who is that he is gorgeous. I said mum I wouldn’t touch him with a 10 foot pole he is such a player.
We use to pay out on each other and the girls he would date and he would do the same with the guy I was dating.
It was around the time of the Melbourne cup and I meant to be going with my Italian frog but he decided last minute he couldn’t make it. The new Pharmacist was going with his sister and said that he had a spare seat if I wanted to go with them. I remember ringing my grandmother and asking her what she thought I should do. She said yes go have some fun. So that’s what I did. We went to the Melbourne cup saw Makybe Diva win in the rain and kissed at the finishing line.
It was the most magical moment !
Then returning back to work he had found out he had being given work in Toowoomba. He was leaving in a week!
We had his going away party and we got together that night! Not something I would have normally done but thought why not I’m never going to see him again.
The next morning I was working and he bought me in a coffee before he left.
Just like that he was gone. We had a ball for the pharmacy ithe next month and he flew back to come to that. It was a magical night. We kept in touch and he invited me to come and work with him in Toowoomba.
Once again I rang my gran for her wise words. I remember people at my work saying your crazy he will break your heart. One lady said he just needs to find the right person. I looked at it like a working holiday. Next thing I knew they had put my car on a trailer and they were driving me up to Qld. The night before we left I said goodbye to my Italian frog who had many chances to make things right.
We arrived in Toowoomba I hugged my beautiful grandparents for all the effort and it began.
We worked there for a few months , then had a working holiday in Airlie Beach. I had fallen in love and he was the same.
We went to Townsville and he bought a house there. I was homesick and starting to miss my family. One day at work in Townsville in walked the Italian frog with a huge letter promising to be everything I wanted. He said he would be there for the night told me which hotel and had a ticket home for me if I wanted.
That night we had our first argument and I remembered been tempted and driving to go see the Italian frog. I didn’t as I knew if I did he would convince me to go home.
A position came up in Mildura and we moved there. My beautiful man proposed to me while Eldivo was singing in concert in Adelaide. We got married and had 2 children by the time I was 30!
10 years married and he still leaves me love notes every day x
I met my husband in Tennant Creek NT I was 20 years old working in the Bank and he came in to make a withdrawal! His eyes – glassy blue- took my breath away and in fact still does! It took 6 months but he finally called me for a date and we were engaged within 6 weeks and married in 12 months – still blissfully so after 23 years and 2 gorgeous children!
I’ve known my hubby since we were both about 17. We were friends for many years before we got together, but I always found his mix of funny, smart and slightly sad a killer combo. We are about to celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary in March, he’s still my number one bloke, can’t imagine my life without him in it!!! <3
It was 20 years ago and i used to visit my home town in the Mallee. My girlfriend and I would go to our local but my girlfriend was under strict instructions to keep this bloke away from me because he would tease me about not settling down and getting married. I guess I just hadn’t found ‘the right one’.
‘That bloke’ and I have been married for 18 years. I inherited 3 kids and now have 3 granddaughters whom I love as my own.
You can imagine the speech my girlfriend gave at our wedding!
A night in the big lights would be amazing.
I was post divorced when I met my now husband. I was out with a girlfriend, and she although happily married was being chatted up left,right & centre. However, this gorgeous man offered to buy me a drink…well, the rest is history as they say. 13years on & blissfully happy.
We’ve had some serious hiccups, due to illness & job loss…but here we are still.
I would love to take him out for dinner, as he ALWAYS cooks! It would be such a treat. X
47 years & counting for us , we were married 2 months before my 18th birthday , he was 21…soooo young …there were many who thought it wouldn’t last & who watched to see if my belly grew … ( it didn’t). We did lots of growing up together & fortunately grew closer , not apart , as many did !! He was my friends brother & as a 13 year old I used to watch him , with his long hair & his striped coat ( a la Masters Apprentices….does anyone even remember them ???) & think how cool he was …I’m not sure how we eventually paired up …its way too long ago to remember.Theres lots of water under our bridge , including two married children & one divine grand baby, these things make up the total of our love & life together & I wouldn’t change a thing ..💕
I hope that one day I can find what you all have…. I envy the Wonderful Relationships you all speak of….
Maybe one day..😏👍💕💕
Your Huz is such a sweetheart. I love the stories you share about him.
Today is our 17th wedding anniversary. We snuck off for an afternoon at the movies. It was cheap and cheerful and our eldest babysat so we weren’t gone for long. My husband is my best mate and no matter what I’m doing I’d rather do it with him. Friends tell me how they don’t ever do the shopping together or just hang out for the sake of it and I’m always surprised. We’ve been through a lot but our bond has never faltered. Now it’s 11pm and I want some cheesecake damnit!
Happy anniversary!
He was the Ying to my Yang. We are so different but he calms me and made me a better person.
My significant other was a childhood family friend (my mums best friends son)who we never really paid much attention to each other as kids. Fast forward 20 odd years and one night after a few drinks he has been my best friend and my sons father figure for the last 19 years.
Add a cancer diagnosis and a heart problem into the mix to really test our commitment and I know that I am stuck with him and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Looks like a great night and you look absolutely fab! I met hubby on the interwebs – that internet dating was the best 30 quid I ever spent! We love a fancy dinner out, going for a run together or just having a coffee. Having time together is so important! We’ve been through so much together – moving to the other side of the world, 2 touches of cancer and 1 stroke – but he’s still my favourite and I know he always has my back. My mum used to tell me that finding a good man is like finding a diamond in the street – so true!
We had both been married, didn’t think ‘the real thing’ was out there for us, and met over the internet. I moved to the big smoke for him (Melbourne) and we started our next roller coaster ride. He makes me laugh, treats me so well and makes me feel like I am the most special woman in the world. We are thankful for meeting each other and know how lucky we are. As a friend of mine told me early on – ‘he is a keeper!’.
I guess apart from his good looks, he was kind, had a lovely genuine smile (something my wonderful grandfather told me was a very important trait of a trustworthy man)and I’ve come to realise it is his sense of loyalty and hard working ethic and sense of adventure that is at the core of our loving and longevity (30+ years together). My girlfriend, a psychologist, says ‘are you having fun?”, and YES our lives include a lot of fun. He is a great role model for our daughters for what a good loving fun partner is.
I am happy to come over to Adelaide for the weekend to go to Sean’s with him!
No such luck for me but maybe if I was wearing your fad dress…..where did you get it?
From Libby Watkins art
I’ve ways had a problem with the Hollywood version of love we’ve been feeding young girls for decades. To me, it’s romance wrongly labelled as love. While a little wooing from time to time never hurt anyone, I’ve always believed that to truly love someone, you need to discover the very worst of their character and learn to love them anyway. This takes time.
My husband and I met at a Geology BBQ held at Adelaide Uni. Neither of us are geologists but they sure knew how to throw a party. Fast forward 13 years and it has been our ability to communicate and empathise with one another that has kept the flame alight (with a 6 month old son, this has been even more evident). You see, where not the type for grandiose gestures of romance or gushy PDAs. We tend to just coast along, basking in each other’s company. I don’t really know the exact moment we fell in love. I guess what I’m trying to say is that it just crept up on us.
I once asked my husband the very loaded question, “Why did you fall in love with me?” His response was, “You were easy.” Once I’d delivered one of my signature death stares, he explained… “it was easy because it just felt right, neither of us had to try overly hard to impress the other. We just enjoyed hanging out.” Touché!