I had just finished a string of very uninspiring first dates (one of them gave me some tips on how to make myself more "marketable" before we went our separate ways) and was thinking about giving the online dating scene a break for a while. We were heading into a busy summer, and I convinced myself I wouldn't have time to date. So, I went on the website to pause my subscription for the foreseeable future, and a picture of a man with a kind smile and warm eyes caught my attention. And evidently, I winked at him.

Fast forward a few days, we had been exchanging messages, getting through the initial pleasantries, when we decided it was time to actually have a conversation. I was leaving the next day to drive to Sandestin for an annual meeting, so we decided we would take then. He somewhat curiously told me he had a surprise in store for me and truly had no idea what to expect.

As I started my journey south toward the white sand beaches of the Gulf, we also started our conversation. And the surprise was evident immediately. He spoke with a lovely British accent that was very easy on the ears.

We spoke for most of the four-and-a-half-hour journey...about everything, about nothing and about everything in between. It was easy...comfortable even. And when we got off the phone there was a promise of another conversation soon.

Little did he know that the next conversation would include my anger and frustration that I was experiencing from our pre-conference Board of Directors meeting. And while we had only just met, he defended me to the end.

And then the other phone call came. The pet sitter I had hired to take care of Sam, my cat, while I was gone called to say she had concerns about how he was acting and was going to take him to the emergency vet's office. Where the vet told me that he was hypothermic and in renal failure and the most humane thing to do would be to put him down. And because I was almost 5 hours away, this would be done over the phone.

The ugly crying started and didn't end for several hours. And this kind man with the British accent and friendly eyes offered to go to the vet's office to be with Sam. His kindness and empathy blew me away.

I got through the week and we decided that when I drove back, I would drive to his place to meet IRL. I may have been a bit excited (at least the police officer in Opp, Alabama who gave me a speeding ticket thought as much), but I made it back and we met.

And here we are...10 years later. Doing something I never thought I would do again.

Guess it just took the right person. Utterly and completely.

Twenty years ago I moved from the UK to the United States. Just like that. Easy Peasey. Well – it is when your American mother had the foresight to register your UK birth with the US Embassy, confirming your status as a Dual (US/UK) National. So, I just phoned up the Social Security dept. in Baltimore and said, “Send me my Social Security Number, my good fellow!”. And they did. Just like that. Easy Peasey.

Nine years later, there I was in Alabama with two ex-wives and two children in two different continents. Life rarely goes according to plan, right? (What Plan?? – editor). Quit while you’re behind? Nope – the obvious solution is to throw yourself back out there!

After a few false starts I got winked at on an online site by… a rather pretty doctor! Well that works, I thought. The more we talked the more obvious it became how well suited we were: big sci-fi/fantasy fan; deep appreciation of curry and all foods spicy; just for starters! (What rubbish – editor).

But things change. From Father Ted to Ted Lasso. We grew closer. I wore her down. She said Yes. I knew she would, I just didn’t know how long it would take. Not that it mattered.

Soulmates don’t just show up when you want them to, more’s the pity. They show up when you need them. And I think the trick is, when you find them you hang on for dear life and never let go; even when they tell you they’re never getting married again. Ever. Because if you love someone, I mean really love someone, things have a funny habit of working out.

If you believe.