It all started on a crisp Autumn evening four years ago…
Claudia was in the peak of her Tinderella career, a real hit on the dating scene and James was, well he was on Tinder to Netflix and chill.
They both swiped right and the rest as they say is, well actually it wasn’t all smooth sailing…
They started “chatting” and for the boomers that is like, well text messaging. They didn’t connect IRL (in real life) until eight months later.
It was a balmy summers night at the Wembley Pub.
Claudia’s first impression of James was that he was gay. She wasn’t so used to kind, evolved men who expressed their emotions it would seem.
James’ first impression of Claudia? That she was guarded, sceptical and that she was fastidiously checking him against her red flag checklist (this wasn’t her first rodeo, there had been a few odd frogs on her search for a Prince).
He invited himself to Claudia’s friend’s wedding in Margaret River. He sold himself as a fabulous dancer and wedding guest.
This only confirmed in her mind that her gay-dar was correct, he must be gay she thought.
However, when she dropped him home (which he was chuffed with as he knew she felt safe) they kissed. And it was good, great even. Maybe not so gay after all.
Although they remained in regular contact, they both went on to date other people for a couple of years.
Although they couldn’t quite get their shiz together at the same time and get together properly. But, when they did get together and their bits together, the sparks were electric.
The thing that remained consistent other than their undeniable chemistry was their strong friendship. They always had long chats, always full of laughter.
Like any good rom com, their timing was off. Like ships in the night, they both could never get serious enough at the same time.
Was it his name? Some might say so. But then really what is in a name? This rose sure did smell a heck of a lot sweeter…
It wasn’t until April 2019 when Claudia was sort of dating another guy, did James and her look at something more than just catching-up, something that could potentially get serious. She denied him and said she was in a “serious” relationship. Which was kind of, but not really that true.
Just like in tales as old as time. He was just a boy (with four kids) standing in front of a girl (with two kids of her own). Just like Hugh Grant, she needed to realise that she was letting something real go.
In October 2019, her other “serious” relationship ended, and she ran after him and professed her love in front of a press gallery ***dramatic Notting Hill references may have been embellished for dramatic purposes.
Since then, they haven’t looked back.
They look forward to the next chapter in their love story and can’t wait to share their day of celebration, love, laughter and dancing with their friends and families.
