Well, two swipes actually. Which direction is it again? Thankfully I can't recall.

This is the first photo of us together, and on our third date. As is the way with modern courting, we'd spent a long time texting before we met and I think we both felt like we knew each other before we'd even met. It's beyond strange but sure look (as they say in these parts), it's the way of the world these days.

I was living in Galway at the time and to the outside world had it made, good job, living in a town many people love, plenty of disposable income, waterfront apartment and trophy...eh...dog? But as we know, things are never that simple.

Pam came into my life less like a breath of fresh air and more like that shot of adrenaline Uma Thurman gets to the heart in Pulp Fiction. I fell hard (would like to think we both did...).

Date one was a medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle. Picture the scene, lots of drunk tourists involved in an all-singing, all-dancing drama while eating slabs of meat and two people meeting for the first time (stone cold sober) trying to make conversation over the hilarity. Perhaps an unorthodox choice but sitting outside Durty Nelly's and actually being able to have a chat salvaged the night. And it couldn't have been that bad as it resulted in a second date!

The next week we went to Quin (one 'n' away from greatness) and continued to hit it off, we actually managed to get drunk this time which was an enormous help.

Less than a week later we were in Salthill, Galway doing the Croi 5km. Croi (for the non-Irish) among you is the Irish heart and stroke charity (yes, the irony of me doing this while unknowingly being in heart failure is not lost on me!).

Our first month together culminated in a weekend in Dingle. It was a cracking start, it really was. We spent so much time talking and texting as well as seeing each other every weekend. I'd been thinking of jacking in the job and leaving Ireland but already I was in two minds (the second of these two minds said 'quit the job but stay in Ireland anyway!'- and I listened).

Pam always regrets the fact that we didn't get a selfie at Bunratty so I wrote one:

Do you remember…? (a selfie)

Do you remember the time

Years ago

When we first met

And sat through a banquet from the middle ages?

Nervous, awkward but hopeful

The fucking American tourists didn’t help

Boiling hot soup

The wine tasted like vinegar

The meal and theatrics

Didn’t lend themselves to conversation

Smiling at you

Over candle light

Your beautiful eyes sparking

While listening to some gowl telling his ma

About the belle of Belfast City

Sweet release came

In the form of a beer garden

You were funny, clever and kind

When you looked up and smiled

Time stopped

The evening draws to a close

We wander along to the car park

We embrace

And I stammer

‘You’ve got beautiful eyes by the way!’

The drive home brings introspection

Could I have done better? Been more natural?

Should I have tried to kiss you?

I got home and wrote a text

Unsure it was a good idea

I was upfront and honest

The way it should be

And the best thing I’ve ever done

Schedule

13.45 - make your way to the barn at Vaughan's- don't be late!

14.00 - ceremony

15.00- bubbles and canapes (and also time for a cheeky pint!)

17.00 - back to the barn to be seated for dinner and speeches

20.00- music with Ciaran Johnston

22.30- evening snacky time!

23.00- DJ

2.00- bar closes...get to yer bed!