this is the story of a boy who met a girl at a water fountain, asked her who her favorite bands were, and then married her on the spot. Well, it didn’t happen that fast, but it wasn’t far off.
Caroline + I met in 2003 (see above) when I was traveling around America playing music with some crazy friends in a band. I had absolutely no regard for what my future would hold, but I had been given some advice from my Aussie friends, “NO AMERICAN GIRLS!!”. Thinking that to be the most peculiar direction, I set out on my journey not even thinking about girls. I wanted to see Alcatraz, Chicago, Central Park and basically eat enormous cheese burgers for a few months [which I did], but I wasn’t setting out to meet anyone that I’d expect to fall in love with, or even fall in like with. I was just a naive little kid who loved cheese burgers and this bizarre place I’d seen in the movies all my life: America!
So on one fateful Sunday, I bumped heads with a girl named Caroline when we both went to drink from the same water cooler in Milwaukee. We laughed, and we smiled and we introduced each other. Much to my dismay she said that she had seen me around [oh yeah!], and figured I was Irish and in town for Irish Fest. Turns out she was more impressed that I was from Australia [thank you England for sending thine ancestry to No Man’s Land]. I asked her who her favorite band was and she said the Red Hot Chili Peppers, of which I was a self proclaimed student of their guitarist John Frusciante and knew [and still know] just about every riff lick and chord progression of his from many-a RHCP album. We were instant friends. Immediately BEST FRIENDS!
Soon after, we realized we’d been chatting for almost 3 hours, I was invited [along with my good friend Craig – who was traveling around America with me, before we headed over to India together] to have a home cooked meal at Caroline’s house in Waukesha, WI. Craig and I had access to an Applebees, and had eaten there for three meals a day for about 10 days [I was SOO ahead of Super Size Me!!], so this was insanely exciting! I had a little renter Pontiac, and she had a Plymouth Neon, and so together the three of us set out to have a much coveted home cooked meal prepared by Caroline’s mother, Barbara – little did I know I was about to meet my future in-laws!! A double blessing in disguise – got to eat AMAZING mid-western home-cooked meal and completely bypass the typical nervousness of meeting your significant other’s family. Something I have been grateful for, because my relationship with Caroline’s family has been so strong and natural, I couldn’t ask for a warmer welcome and open-armed acceptance as a son-in-law.
When I left America, I left with a heavy heart. I had met the most incredible girl, and I knew it. But everyone had said, “NO AMERICAN GIRLS!” and so, I set forth for India with Caroline secretly tucked away in my soul. She didn’t know, and no one else needed to know right then either. It was just my little secret, and I enjoyed it selfishly. That is until I invited Caroline to Australia for a home-cooked meal [or 3 weeks worth!], and she was able to meet my family and friends, just as I had met hers. We had the time of our lives touring the South Eastern coast of Australia, Melbourne, Mt Macedon, Sydney, and the Great Barrier Reef!! Then, while we were watching Alien 3 [SUPER romantic choice, I know], we kissed for the first time.
She left the next day for America, and thus began our journey of ping-ponging back and forth between the USA and Australia as lovers forever. We got married in 2005, and lived in Melbourne until we moved back to Milwaukee in 2007.
I don’t regret a thing, and I never will. Caroline is my best friend, even if I broke the “NO AMERICAN GIRLS” rule; it was meant to be!
And now, a short skip down memory lane. (The easiest way for us to date a photo is by looking at Caz’s hair…teehee) 🙂
that first visit to Australia, circa 2004
the second trip to Melbourne, later in 2004
freshly engaged!
2005
the big day.. june 17, 2005
caz’s 21st in melbourne, 2007 // she was Ultra Woman, and I was Captain Bloodloss …
after the move to milwaukee, late 2007
fall 2008
england, 2011
jayden’s 30th in australia, 2011. the first ‘good’ photos of us, taken by our dear friend dan.
[…] our story was far less Hollywood-esque, but exponentially more dynamic and meaningful – it was real. So, we decided that for today’s blog post, we’re gonna get real. Now, who’s up […]