26 July 2017 marked my 6-year anniversary with my partner, Martyn. We have a unique story, which I would like to share. This post is called “My Real Life Fairy Tale: Part 1” and I hope you enjoy this series, which will include 3-4 parts, depending on length. Also, before I start, I would like to thank the wonderful Katie from Katie’s Corner for making the gorgeous header for my Fairy Tale series.
Let me start with a little backstory: I never wanted to marry and settle down. My parents always fought and I simply didn’t want the hassle. I had my fun and had very few serious relationships; my greatest ambition was my future career in psychology. I’d chat to guys from around the world via Social Me, which allowed you to comment on pictures. If you fancied someone, you could send them a private message. I met a few guys that caught my interest, but I wasn’t looking for anything long-term or serious. I still have friends to chat to today who have become good friends (love you Janus!).
Martyn’s FB photo, June 2010
I believe it was October 2010 when I commented on Martyn’s picture. I recently had a bad experience with a Welsh guy, so I joked about the Welsh men being assholes. Martyn engaged in pleasant conversation with me and I thought he was a genuine nice guy. We would chat about his kids, mom, job, and life in Wales. I’d bore him with all my uni chat, but amuse him with my wild partying stories…you don’t want to know!! A friend of Martyn’s told him about this app on Facebook and he would go on when he got home from his night shift. It would take him about 2 hours to unwind, so he’d have a browse. To this day, he swears that I was the only person he spoke to because he’s quite shy (which I LOVE!).
We spoke for months and developed a deep and serious relationship. He bought a Blackberry so he could text me for free via BBM; we chatted every opportunity we had. We weren’t committed to each other, but we would say “I love you.” We were both free to do as we please. I would go out and party and he was more than welcome to do so. We had a profound effect on each other and did not want to ruin anything by moving too quickly. Somehow, I knew he was different from any man I’d met before; he was everything I didn’t even know I wanted.
Me at the Blarney Castle, Summer 2011
Sometime in early 2011, I secured a place on a study abroad program in Waterford, Ireland. I decided to finally meet Martyn, and he made plenty of arrangements for us to enjoy our summer together. Deep down, I didn’t think we’d really meet and fall in love. I assumed something would come up and we wouldn’t have the opportunity to meet, but he proved me wrong. Every weekend I was in Waterford, he took the Friday and Monday off so we could have a long weekend together. My second weekend in Waterford, he came to meet me. I was petrified; I wanted to cancel, but his friends assured me that he was a decent guy. I, along with some girls from my course, went to meet him in a pub near the Quay. I didn’t want to go alone because I was quite anxious, but as soon as I saw him, I felt at home. I felt like I’d known him my whole life.
Coney Island Pizza in Waterford, Ireland …look how awkward we look; it’s hysterical!!
That first weekend, we stayed in Waterford and explored the local area. We bonded over our love for pizza and went to Coney Island Pizza a few times throughout the summer… we keep saying we need to go back!! The second weekend, he came to get me to take me to Wales. I offered to take public transport on my own, but he was adamant that I was not going to travel alone because it was my first time abroad. Truthfully, I was so glad he came to get me because I almost got sea sick on the ferry ride from Rosslare, Ireland to Fishguard, Wales. The silly man booked the “vomit comet,” which sits on top of the water and is therefore faster. I was miserable! But, Martyn did everything to help; he even got those sea sickness acupuncture bracelets. Once we arrived safely in Pembrokeshire, we set off for his tiny village in South Wales, where I would see where he group and meet his family…
The first place I visited in Wales: White Hart Thatched Inn & Brewery in Llanddarog
That concludes Part 1. I thoroughly hoped you enjoyed reading it and will keep an eye out for Part 2! Have you found love online? If so, I’d love to hear about it!!!
Natalie Benton 