Sunday, September 28, 2025

FORTY YEARS TODAY

 


Today is the 40th Anniversary of Stew and I meeting.

For those who are new here, this is the story of our meeting:

I was living in my parent's beach house in Whitianga, on my own with my four kids from my first marriage, which I had walked away from exactly 6 months earlier.

I got talked into attending a girlfriend's End of Year Prize Giving.  She played indoor netball.

It was the very first time I'd gone out in the evening, since moving to Whitianga.

ABOVE: The building where we met.  Mercury Bay Rugby Club.

ABOVE: Where we first met, and had our first dance together.
Jane and I sat down at a long table full of people I didn't know, and she introduced me to their netball Coach.
It was Stew. He introduced himself and I was totally upfront and honest with him, and said "Don't get interested, I'm a solo mother with four kids."

I also had NO INTEREST in a new relationship, nor did I think anyone would be interested in a solo mum with 4 kids.  

My ex had drummed it into me that 'No one is going to be interested in YOU".

So anyway, Stew invited me up for a dance, and honestly, we hardly left the dance floor after that!  We just clicked.

A sneaky kiss might have transpired on the dance floor... and when he dropped me back home at the end of the evening.

We met up again a week later, and after that.... he was mine and I was his.  Plus 4 kids.

After two years, we married.  Steve was about 6 weeks old by then.  Mike came a couple of years after than.

Then of course, Brylee and Griffin came to us about ten years later as well. 

So, it's a story I love to tell, and I remember the day we met so well.

I consider the day we met way, way more special than our wedding day, because the day I met Stew, my life changed.  I knew we were meant to be, and even though I already had four kids, he loved ME, and I loved HIM.

And forty years later, we both still feel the same.  

So there ya go.... our 'Love Story'.

Who else has a special story?

Today we have a few jobs lined up, just little, normal around the house type jobs.


12.04 pm, and the morning has gone well. We went into town and picked up a new Christmas πŸŽ„  that we had ordered yesterday.  Then over to Mitre 10 for some potting mix and mint plants.

Home. I got the washing out then we got the new umbrella πŸŒ‚ up.

ABOVE: This area is completed now. 
We are now at Fergus for a lovely lunch. We've ordered a platter for a change. Hopefully it's awesome...

ABOVE: Looked great, but ruined for me with a spicy sauce that spilled onto several things. I give it 5/10. Stew had to eat 65% of it.

6.50 pm:  We've had a lovely afternoon.  Brylee and Dom came over for a visit and we got to spend a couple of hours catching up with them.
Once they left we did a few more little jobs around the house.
Now?  Just blobbing out in front of the telly.
And that's our day done and dusted I reckon.
Catch ya tomorrow.

15 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:41 AM

    Congratulations. You are meant for each other. Love at first sight etc etc. now you've donΓ© the hard yards you just have to enjoy life together and the kids who love you. And good friends lol kj

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  2. Anonymous10:48 AM

    Happy 40th! You have built a beautiful life together. May your next years be filled with continued love, good health and peaceful living. Ky girl

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  3. That is so beautiful! How fortunate the two of you were to find each other.
    Congratulations on your 40 year "Meetaversary" .

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  4. Rhonda12:29 PM

    Awe thank you for sharing your lovely meeting story. You and Stew were definitely meant to be - soulmates 100%. Enjoy your day. I have often wondered, but have never asked, but here goes - do any of your 4 children with your ex have a relationship with him? I know Stew has been their ‘father’ in every way since you two got together. Just another testament of the love Stew had way back then and still does. What a wonderful life you have made together. Love always wins ❤️❤️

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  5. Anonymous1:59 PM

    The patio is looking great. The umbrella finished it off nicely. Maybe turn the tables in the oblong direction, they'll not take up so much room. Just a thought. Ky Girl

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  6. Happy anniversary 🩷 I met mine on a blind date the week i was made redundant, a month after moving to auckland. Life turned upside down and i really only went and met him because i didn't have his phone number... to tell him i couldn't go in the date as i was jobless and stuff.... and here we are 26 years later

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  7. Anonymous2:35 PM

    Happy Anniversary!!! Peta

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  8. What a lovely story of how you met. Congratulations Happy Anniversary. Have a great day.

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  9. Mrs F3:05 PM

    We met at work (yawn, I know) the day after he joined the company, and he admired my welding (which was undoubtedly impressive). He offered to change my wheel when I had a week later (I was amused and let him), we went for supper at the local Chinese chippy, moved in with me a fortnight later. It’ll never last, they said…. 33 years later, also four kids, three countries, two farms, and a partridge in a pear tree, here we are!

    I adore your ring. It’s just perfect!

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  10. Hubby and his mate came to visit my flat mate and I because his mate fancied my flat mate. It didn’t work out for them but 45 years later we are still together. Oh shock and horror he was only 18 and I was 20.

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  11. I always love the story, and yes it is a beautiful ring.
    The patio setting looks nice, could you paint chairs or will you wash down and stain.

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    Replies
    1. Probably waterblast then re-stain.

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  12. Sniff sniff. What a wonderful story. You and Stew together forever. 😍😍😍

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  13. My hubby was a friend of my ex.
    Nearly 45 years together now.

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  14. Anonymous12:23 AM

    Loved the story about how you met Stew. Happy anytime you both.

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