Love at first sight (or was it sound?)

SIXTEEN years ago a wannabe reporter sailed through an interview at an evening paper in the Midlands.
I should have been there to grill the then BBC radio journalist. But I was on holiday. I must have been a bit nervous. What type of keen but potentially inexperienced new colleague would the editor foist upon us?
A week after I returned, I found out. The successful candidate phoned me. He hoped it would be a good idea to come along and say hello, perhaps I could give him a tour of the newsroom and help him find his way around a bit before he started.
I remember that call like it was yesterday, how lovely this new voice sounded, how quickly I agreed to his polite request and rather inexplicably, how much I was already looking forward to him turning up.
"I'd like to marry that man," I thought when he did.
Ridiculous isn't it? (Two children on, we married in January this year!)
As he stood there, smiling, his blue-grey eyes shining and his immaculate suit making him look every inch a professional, I was knocked for six.
Beaming, I showed Neil round, introducing him to our colleagues. I remember thinking he could be my deputy, wouldn't that be great.
Days later he started work.
I wondered what on earth he must think of me as I asked him to write stuff, sent him out on jobs, or sometimes took him to task about some typo or confusing court reporting. If honest we all know this happened too often, sorry Darling. I wouldn't dare do anything to let him know how I felt as I started to day dream about meeting up after work.
If a group of us went out for a drink, I always tried my best to have a chat, wearing more make-up than I ever had before.
But soon I got another call with an offer I couldn't refuse.
Another editor wanted me to go and work for him, he'd pay well. Miles away, up North.
I agreed and a starting date was set.
It was at my leaving do that me and Neil got together.
Well I say got together, I jumped on him.
And I say, leaving do, but I wasn't allowed in after a few drinks in the pub. Club bouncers decided I was in no fit state.
Neil's car had broken down and he nearly hadn't made it, I was so nervous, I'd drank quite a bit, quite early on.
Neil offered to walk me home. So with a week before I was due to head off to my new job, I jumped on his lap on a park bench on the way home and told him how gorgeous he was. I'm not sure how much he understood. Too much vodka just possibly made me sound like I was talking in code.
And did I mention he was on calls? Neil was phoning the emergency services at regular intervals to see if there was anything to report for Monday's paper.
He also needed to ring me the next day to discuss these stories.
I got my apology in early. I was sorry for being too drunk to get into the leaving do, sorry he'd had to walk me home, sorry I was so pissed, sorry I'd jumped on him and sorry I'd gone on a bit.
And then it came.
"You don't have anything to be sorry about," he said.
I cannot tell you how I felt when I heard that. On top of the world comes close.
The kind souls in our office arranged a second leaving do.
That's when we became an item. Neil moved in with me for the few days before I was due to move.
As my new job turned into a nightmare, Neil was my rock. Truth be told I missed him too much.
My bosses weren't impressed.
"If you were anywhere near a professional you'd stay here at the weekend instead of shagging in Birmingham," they told me, among other things.
They may have had a point.
But we also managed to see each other in the week, even if it was a snatched hour here or there between a complicated train journey either way.
I hated my job but I knew I loved Neil.
And I have done ever since.
* An earlier version of this post was written for my previous blog and published a year ago. I'm also adding some of the orginal comments below as they make me smile.

41 comments:

  1. When you know you know, and you did know. What a lovely getting together story. And I'm sorry but who'd rather not be shagging in Birmingham than working!

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  2. Oh Linda, what a lovely story of your enduring love. Loved reading it the first time, enjoyed reading it again today. xx

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  3. I read the original post and reading it the second time has touched me just as much. I hope writing everything down like this brings you some peace xx

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  4. Agree with Erica - when you know, you know. A beautiful story, well written. Looking forward to reading more, and like Nicki says, I hope that telling your story brings something positive to you at this difficult time.

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  5. You have wonderful memories, and to recollect all those times when you talked, laughed and worked together can only remind you of the incredible bond you had with Neil.

    K xx

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  6. Thanks everyone! Some of my favourite memories of Neil and which were included in a memory jar, were when he came and surprised me on a Friday night in Newcastle, I can see him on the doorstep of my flat with wine and roses in his hand, hours after telling me he was staying in x

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  7. When you typed this you were still so there x Love it and it is good, the good memories should always stay with you x x x

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  8. Just found this blog, Linda, and I really hope it helps to get things out and to share. Every time you write about Neil I feel like I know him a little bit better and wish I had met him. I'll be reading whenever you feel like writing, Jo xxx

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  9. Thank you Ali, my /problem' has been that good memories are more painful than shitty ones because it's not right that we aren't still making them.

    Oh Jo thank you, Neil was/is (can't do it!) amazing, just lovely, kind mostly but also a pain in the arse sometimes like any one of us can be, but he was defeinitely my 'better half' xxx

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  10. The first time I read this post I left a comment saying 'marry that man'. So pleased you did. :)

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  11. Beautifully written Linda *sniffs, dries eyes*

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  12. This just melted my heart a little bit. x

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  13. Awwww that's so cute! Ain't love grand?? :-) xx

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  14. So wonderfully written. True love is worth more than any job. Xx

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  15. Oh that was so lovely. I want one. I love that you jumped on him and I love his reply to your apology. I bet your head was spinning. Yay for love. xx

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  16. I'm having a little blub reading this. Gorgeous, emotive writing as always my lovely friend x

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  17. Ah what a lovely story.

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  18. What a lovely story! Found this through RosieScribble on twitter. As she said - perfect Sunday reading.

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  19. Beautiful xxxxx ((((hugs to you))) xxxx

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  20. This is lovely. Just lovely.

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  21. A true love story, Linda. Made me smile so much. Sending love to you. Mel xxx

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  22. When you know, you know. Beautiful x

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  23. Finding someone you love and who loves you back is the foundation to a wonderful life. I love your story, and I certainly don't think it's ordinary.
    Love to you Linda x

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  24. I don't believe that any love story is ordinary. Thanks so much for sharing yours, and I send you all my love. x

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  25. Ohh alcohol, the makings of a wonderful first date! Sending you both love. Mich x

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  26. Notanottinghillmum21 September 2012 at 03:07

    Reading your tweets tonight I was a bit worried there was something wrong and so wanted to find out if you were ok. I think I've filled in some of the gaps. This is a really lovely story and congratulations on your engagement. My cousin got married when they were 50 - they'd been together since university and have two kids in their 20s. They hadn't wanted to marry before but then they did. Every blessing for you wedding day xx

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  27. Just here to send you love Linda. Have been a bit buried by stuff lately but I've been so, so sad to hear of all the awful heartache and difficulty you've been going through. Thinking of you all. Much love x

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  28. Beautiful story, beautifully written. Sending love, prayers and blessings to you all x

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  29. That's just lovely. Hugs. x

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  30. Sending lots of love and hugs ... This is so beautiful xxx

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  31. Reading your wonderful love story took me back ....and as I told you at the time - a man who gives you cheesecake is a very special guy! Love and hugs to you all....thinking about you. xxxxxx

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  32. Wow - not sure which is more beautiful, the heart warming story or your emotive writing style xxxxxx

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  33. That's lovely Linda! xx

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  34. I love hearing how people got together, and I have to say Linda, I like your style! Sending positive thoughts xxx

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  35. Isn't love just the best, such a 'warm the cockles' story. Sending you all lots of love and prayers xxxx

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  36. I somehow managed to convince myself I'd already commented on this, but I've come back for a re-read and see I haven't - gah! Anyway, what I wanted to say was that I really don't think anything you did could be "ordinary", Linda, and this story is no exception - and wonderfully told, as always. Terry and I are both thinking of you all, and sending lots of love. xxx

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  37. Linda, I've read, read and reread this several times each time trying to come up with the right words for a comment. As I still haven't I thought I'd just wing it.... Your story is beautiful, but love stories are. I'm so glad you found your Neil and you have had that happiness. I say, celebrate the vodka intoxication - if you hadn't been pissed would either of you ever have made that move?

    What a great story. *hugs*

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  38. Late in commenting, but I really enjoyed reading. It might be an "ordinary" story, but the love you share is clearly anything but. x

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  39. Ahhhh! Really lovely. Made me feel all warm. Who knew - Vodka the elixir of truth and love!! Big hugs to you both. xx

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