Franglo

Oh who are we kidding this story was never going to be a fairy tale, this was always going to be a bit messy but I promise is it kind of cute.

About 3 years ago, I had just moved back to Toronto after a few years away living in Western Canada. In December 2015, I hoped on a plane and headed to Cuba for a week of reading a book on a beach with a Mojito. I was stressed out after the second cross-country move in three years and I had been doing two roles as a regional marketing manager while they tried to back fill the western position.

This trip was not about romance, I had packed no make-up, hair products, no cute outfits. I had three or four books I was excited to dive into to and plans for naps on the beach.  I decided to be adventurous and go to the hotel bar alone on my second night.  I have zero issue with travelling alone but somehow in my mind going to the lobby bar alone just felt lonely and sad. I am there a few minutes when over strolls this guy who was wondering if I was alone and I wanted company. I said sure and we proceeded to get to know each other. He was everything I was not looking for; lived in another province, was divorced and had three kids.  If I had seen this profile on a dating site I would have not taken a second look, this was not how I pictured my future.

Something clicked that night, drinks lead to dinner and more drinks and we really enjoyed each other’s company. He was so very French and I am an odd combination of BC and Toronto. We met up the next day for breakfast and became inseparable for the balance of the week. Being with him was so easy and he was so sweet. I even managed to read three of the four books I brought for the week.

The end of his trip came and I had booked a trip to Havana for that day. We said our goodbyes, exchanged information and that was it, a nice vacation fling. I got back to the resort that night and it felt so very odd.  I had no one to join me for dinner, no one to laugh with and no one to share the stories of my day with. I spent my last day at the resort feeling very alone.

I return from my trip and I had friend requests on Facebook and LinkedIn from him, someone had been busy. I happily accepted. We started chatting on Messenger.

It was the holiday so we were both really busy with the usual holiday functions, in Toronto my friends adopt me as family. I was telling the story of my vacation fling and I remember my best friend telling me anyone you can spend an entire week with and not want to kill, there is something three.

One night as we chatted online, I remember him telling me that he knew this was going to sound odd but he really missed me and I realized I felt the same way. We made plans to see each other after Christmas. This lead to my going to Montreal a few months later and few rendezvous in Kingston which is half way a couple of times. By April we knew that this was something and we decided to make official and become a couple.

He came to meet the parents and I was able to introduce him to my BC roots and I went to Boston with him on a business trip. I spent more time with him, family vacations were planned with the kids (aka French immersion) and overtime we knew this was a lifelong bond. In April of this year we decided to go back to Cuba and make that lifelong commitment to each other and this has triggered the next chapter.

In am in the middle of relocating to Montreal; to a province where I can barely speak the language with contract position that will last six months. I also have not lived with anyone in twenty years, so this will be an adventure. I have rented out my Toronto condo, packed my belongings which will hopefully fit in the house.

The blog will reflect the ups and downs as we learn to live with each other, as I immerse myself in French language training and I learn to co-parent which was not something I ever say in my future.

I guess when you find true love and that one person who makes you heart and soul happy, you plow through life’s obstacles together. Welcome to our journey.