There was certainly something extraordinary about the way Karleen and I met, back in December 2003, on a site called AI: Africa Introductions. we each wrote a little about ourselves: no details, no photos. From there on, we communicated online by text only, thru Instant Messenger. Despite 6 hours difference in our time zones, despite us both having jobs, we managed to find time to chat for up to 17 hours a day. We each had a computer at home and at work. On the fourth day, I proposed marriage and she accepted. This was just before Christmas. She told me her mother lives in England and gave me the phone number, after telling he Mom first. So I formally asked Mom, as I’ve called her ever since, for permission to marry her daughter. She said yes with no hesitation. None of her three other daughters has yet married On 5th January I took a flight to Jamaica and we had several days together.
And here we are, 20-year anniversary coming up in May. I was 63 when we married and 83 next month. We’ve both undergone major health problems, but managed to overcome their worst effects with the prompt attentions of our wonderful NHS.
As it happens, she worked here for ten years as a medical secretary, before taking early retirement.
I’ve never worked in High Wycombe. Over a career of 44 years, spanning three marriages, I’ve worked in Birmingham, Nottingham, Central London, Sabah (formerly North Borneo) Kuala Lumpur, Norwich, York, West London, Guildford, Egham, Sutton, Uxbridge, Folkestone. In consequence, didn’t see much of my children.
Everyone’s story is different. Marriage is important, children or no children. We have to find ways of fitting together.
Written on 5th February 2025, left “uncategorized” with a long-ago date, as it’s intended to be accessed only from this post
a wayfarer’s notes 