When I was Twenty Years Old

When I was Twenty Years Old I made one of the best decisions of my life. As Anna and I married at St Mary's Church in Waverley in Sydney. A 'quirky fact' not well known is that this is where the wedding scene in the 1994 film Muriel’s Wedding was filmed.

This church St Mary's is a few kilometres from the finest beaches in Sydney and the stamping ground of my teenage years. We had lived in a 'great' house less than 5 minutes walk to Tamarama beach (better know as Glamorama beach - for the models and topless bathers that frequented the place)

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Rev Terrence Dicks presided over our ceremony, I've since learnt that the very youthful looking Rev Terry became a quadriplegic only three years ago from a surfing accident. With him by my side I remember how I glanced nervously down the aisle as 'Here comes the bride' played on the 31st of March 1979.

Anna and I had first met when we both were in High School she was at Petersham Girls School and I was at Newington College. Our initial meeting was memorable and a story in itself, of course our versions aren't exactly the same. The fact that I even that I bothered to call her back (which astounded my mates) as they wondered who was this girl? that I playfully had told them that her name is "Margo' to play a little trick on them.

Here we are thirty years later plus Nathan, Amber and Jeremy. Hey I realised that I've been married longer than I have been single and with Anna for most of my life, Those of you that know me will agree what a great decision !

As you would expect Anna has changed me in many ways, at first she inspired me to study hard and my goal became to stop playing sports - giving up my beloved rugby and a chance for glory in the top teams to study. For the first time in my life I focused on my books and my undergraduate and masters degrees would never have been attained without her positive influence.

The international experience that I have as a career I would also attribute to Anna who asked me one day wouldn't it be great if you had a opportunity to live and work overseas?

So let me say a first words about my babe (Anna). First of all Happy Anniversary - Anna is a very easy person to love, she is the most kind, giving and thoughtful person that I've ever met. If Anna was a rock she would be a 'diamond', she has natural brillant side to her and at the same time her industrial side (when she chooses to apply) can cut through any problem to get things resolved.

Anna has a great eye as those of you that know us and have seen Anna's collections (shoes, clothes, furniture, art etc). She loves her kids and family dearly. For many of our friends I know that she adopts you as a 'family' member whenever you are around her.

Together we have travelled the world and met many great friends.I look forward to the next 30 years of love, life experiences and amazing food with you - Anna.