Fourteen Years of Hit-n'-Miss Marital Bliss

There are few things that can test a marriage as much as spending months upon months together with someone 24/7, in foreign surroundings.  Without a pub to retreat to with your mates or a therapeutic shopping trip and a caffeine-fuelled gossip session with some friends, a relationship can really be tested to the limits when it's just the two of you.

So bearing all this in mind, it is almost miraculous that the husband and I today celebrate 14 years of wedded bliss...in Bali of all places.  Even more miraculous is the fact that despite being cut off from friends and family for the better part of six months thus far, we not only don't appear to hate each other, but still find things to talk about.  Okay, it's often commiserating over the childcare, complaining about the mosquitos, and arguing about visas...but still.  

What is apparently clear is that we both share common goals:  keep our children alive, try not to spazz ALL our money on this adventure of a lifetime, and try and maintain at least some semblance of responsible parenting - despite the temptation to outsource it entirely to the Pembantu's....

Oh yeah - and we also know how to have a good laugh.  And that my friends, in my opinion, is the deal maker.  Despite all the trials and tribulations, our determination to achieve our creative goals whilst doing as little poo-picking-up as possible, and our mutual yearning for something outside the typical 9-5 grind - we unite in the desire to live our lives as fully as possible, with as much free spirit as we can squeeze out of this mortal coil - despite having two progeny.

To that end, we have just finished two hours of blissful massage, which was preceded by a lovely leisurely lunch (sans kiddies), which was itself preceded by a lovely breakfast and some reminiscing over a couple of creamy lattes after the school drop off.  That's the thing - it's easi(er) to be loved up in Bali.  This place is conducive to romantic vibes...be it the childcare on tap, tropical weather, or cozy mosquito draped beds.  Or maybe it's the super-affordable massages that can't help but put you in a good mood.

Whatever the case, I just want to say that I'm a lucky girl...for a lot of reasons.  And one of those reasons may have a penchant for adventure sports, fast two-wheelers and be a total internet hog - but I wouldn't trade him for anything (except maybe two extra pages in my passport...but that's another story).