The Wife

I realised yesterday that I've been blathering on about Neko (well, of course...I did just spend an extended weekend with her!), but I've never introduced her to my faithful blog readers, i.e. you.

First things first, Neko is Taiwanese. And she speaks with an American accent. But she's not an ABC, oh no. But she did go to America to study when she was in elementary school, and she was in college when I first met her.

But...if she was in the US, and I was in Singapore, how did I meet her? Ah, that would be the power of teh intarwebs. Years ago, YEARS ago, we were both comment-spamming a mutual friend's livejournal, or LJ. We started up a comment-conversation, and we 'friended' each other shortly after. We would chat now and again, and comment on each other's journals, but never really got beyond 'close acquaintance' status.

A while after that, I do believe it was a couple years later, I went to Wisconsin for a holiday. I know, I know, strange place for a vaycay, but I was dating some guy at the time, and his family lived in WI. His folks stayed just outside of Madison, and guess where Neko was staying at the time? That's right, she was in Madison!

So we made plans to meet up and have lunch. I got to our meeting point earlier, and I was just standing about waiting for her. I'm not sure if I ever told her this, but my gosh, I was apprehensive. I'm not the most comfortable in social situations, especially with unfamiliar people. This was a girl I'd never met before, at least not face to face. I don't think I'd ever really spoken to her over the phone. Then there was the fact that I was kinda stranded there - I didn't drive at the time (hmm. Still don't actually), the then-partner had gone back to his parents' place, and Neko was my ride back.

I barely remember much of that day, save for having Mexican food for lunch, and then walking around the shops along State Street. Oh, and I bought two t-shirts, I remember that. I still have one of them, and have no idea what happened to the other. It wasn't as awkward as I'd thought it would be, but it certainly wasn't the most relaxed day out. I did have a good time though, and it was great to finally meet this person I'd been chatting to.

After that, we started chatting a lot more. The different time zones worked out fantastic for us - we'd both stay up late at night, so we could chat night and day. And chat we did. We certainly got a lot closer after that!
A lot closer. One night, we were playing around with MSN emoticons, and she produced one of a diamond ring. Then she came up with one of the round MSN dudes kneeling in front of another MSN dude(tte).
Clearly, it was the first time I'd ever been proposed to, and I said yes!

So we changed our FB status to "married to each other" (and changed it back when people didn't seem to get that it was a joke), and have called each other "my wife" ever since.

Some time after that (I'm really iffy on the timeline!), Neko moved back to Taiwan. Living in the same time zone was really odd at first! It seemed as though we chatted even less than before. We finally got our clocks sorted out though, and were soon back to chatting all the time.

About three years ago, she came to Singapore for a weekend, where we had a really chill time, and as you know, I just spent a few days with her in Taiwan.

Our relationship (marriage?!) has lasted the better part of a decade, has spanned three countries (over two continents), has gotten stronger over time...and we've physically met only three times. And all times were in different countries!

It's brilliant how the internet has bridged the physical distance between us, and it really does feel as though I've known her forever. I do wish I could find that original LJ post though. Would be lovely to go back to our roots, just for nostalgia's sake.

Neko - one of the members of my chosen family; I love her to pieces, and I am so grateful she's in my life.

Sliding this post in just before the midnight mark!
And so ends Day 10.