In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I wanted to do something a bit different. Instead of boasting about how great my guy is [even though he really, truly is GREAT], I’ve decided to share the story of how we met with all my readers. This is our real life ‘Before Sunrise’ story.
In case you weren’t aware yet my boyfriend is Swedish
When I first tell people that Sebastian is Swedish, they immediately ask how we met. When I explain that we met doing the thing we both love most – travelling – most people are incredibly supportive. Although, I have admittedly run into my fair share of non-believers who doubt we can make it work.
I’ve told this story what feels like a million times, but I’m so excited to have it ALL down in writing to share with you. I promise it’s a good one.
So here it is!
Where We Met: New Orleans, Louisiana
In June 2017, I went to New Orleans with a large group of girls for a bachelorette party – certainly the last place that I ever expected to meet anyone. After a stint of dating the wrong people and quite frankly settling in relationships, the last thing I was looking for was to meet someone on vacation.
Sebastian was on the tail end of a busy few months from work, and was essentially being forced to take vacation after working around the clock. On a whim, he bought a plane ticket and took a solo trip to the US. One of the cities he chose to visit New Orleans based on his love for classic Blues and Jazz music.
The Night We Met
It was my third and last night in New Orleans. After a couple of late nights out, most of the girls that I was travelling with decided to go to bed early. Refusing to call it a night, myself and two other girls decided to head to Frenchman Street to check out the art market and listen to some live music.
We walked into one of the bars, and noticed that a local that we had met the night before singing on stage. We watched his performance, and proceeded to congratulate him on an great performance. He insisted we join him at “the best bar on Frenchman Street” and we followed him there – and thank goodness we did!
Meanwhile, Sebastian had run into a man that he had met the night prior who invited him to go to the same bar. He didn’t really want to go, but in the spirit of being nice agreed to join him and ended up staying there all night because the band was so fantastic.
It was this in this hole-in-the-wall bar on Frenchman Street that our stars aligned.
It still isn’t clear who said hi to who first – we both claim it was the other person. All I know is that the conversation was flowing and it was the most effortlessly natural connection I had ever experienced. He stayed out until 5am with my friends and I, while we listened to music and got to know each other.
He walked me home and asked if he could take me for breakfast in the morning before my evening flight. I agreed.
The Next Day
I remember waking up the morning after I met Sebastian and thinking I was crazy. Why was I going to meet a guy for breakfast that I almost certainly was never going to see again?
But something was telling me to go. I felt it. And I am so happy that I trusted my gut.
We spent the next five or so hours trying to avoid intermittent thunderstorms, getting brunch [at a restaurant that ended up flooding because of said thunderstorms], grabbing drinks, laughing, getting to know everything about each other, and walking around New Orleans. It was so easy and natural.
Goodbye … For Now
We said our goodbyes, I left for the airport, and was almost certain that we would never see each other again. However, we kept texting. And the text messaging turned into several hours of FaceTime. It was the most amazing way to get to know someone better, because all we had was conversation.
The FaceTime sessions eventually turned into Sebastian coming to visit me in Canada. Which turned into seven cross-Atlantic trips and eight countries visited in just over a year.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
A Real Life ‘Before Sunrise’ Experience
Over those roughly 10 hours we had together from the first moment we met until I left for the airport, Sebastian kept referring to the movie “Before Sunrise,” saying that this day had been just like the movie. Before I left for the airport, he made me promise to go home and watch the movie. So I did. And he was right – I don’t think I have ever related to a movie character more than I did to Céline.
I Guess The Old Saying is True…
…Love Manifests in Crazy Ways
If someone told me that this would be the way I was going to meet my person, I would have told them they were crazy. But it really is true that it takes one split second for your life to change forever.
When I reflect back on all the people that I love in my life, this statement holds true. These people have all been brought into my life one way or another, and had a tremendous impact.
I’m sending love to everyone in my life today, and everyday – near and far. Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romantic relationships; it is about celebrating all of the LOVE in our lives.
Enjoy celebrating this day of love with your nearests and dearests. And don’t forget to tell the people that you love how much you care about them.
