Reflecting on Love and Connection
In 2016, after a difficult period, I found myself at a turning point. I was 25, and it felt like it was time to really “do the work” on myself. That winter was long and, truthfully, quite lonely. I was diving deep into self-discovery. By spring, though, things changed a bit. I found myself dancing at Chicago House Night at Melbourne City Hall, capturing the moment when I first recorded Orwen.
At an afterparty, I had this electrifying moment meeting her. Our brief interaction left me feeling so unsettled that I left early. I was still healing, but not quite prepared for whatever was happening between us.
Time passed, and one weekend, I noticed Orwen again at a lively party in town. I was chatting with friends when she recognized me from our earlier, somewhat awkward encounters. That night, we were inseparable. It just clicked.
As we spent more time together in the weeks that followed, I found myself sharing all sorts of feelings. It felt strange to think that we were somehow meant to be together—concepts I could hardly have entertained before meeting her. But with Orwen, everything felt safe, even a bit magical. It was as if she opened a door to the universe for me.
Yet, there was a conflict within me. I was overwhelmed by intense emotions, while my rational side kept resisting. Orwen confessed her love early on, but I hesitated to reciprocate.
One summer afternoon, while out with friends, Orwen experienced a severe migraine that impacted her vision and mobility. I wouldn’t have described myself as a natural caregiver, but in that moment, my priority became getting her to my place as quickly as possible. Panic set in—I had never dealt with migraines before. I even considered calling an ambulance. Through calm communication, I managed to grasp what she needed. Bystanders looked concerned as we stood on a Fitzroy sidewalk, and I gently rubbed her temples, which helped me realize how much I cared.
Eventually, we made it to my house, where she lay in my bed, and I knew then that I had fallen in love with her.
It suddenly felt foolish to deny my feelings. I understood that whatever this relationship morphed into was bound to be enlightening and meaningful. Once her migraine faded, I finally told her how I felt.
Before Orwen, I had such a analytical view of relationships, seeing everything through a logical lens. But being with her restored a childlike wonder in me. It wasn’t about idealism, but something genuine and heartfelt, allowing me to see and appreciate the beauty in everyday life. I realized that the magic often comes from the connections we form with others, even if, at the time, we don’t fully understand it.
Not long after the migraine episode, I spotted overalls in her closet, which reminded me of an electrifying figure I’d seen at a gig years ago. I joked about it with Orwen, and while she didn’t recall, describing her energy back then highlighted how intertwined our paths had been—long before we realized.
I fell in love with Orwen three times, and it was only the third time that I truly understood the depth of my feelings. Now, nine years later, we continue to explore new dimensions of our connection. I relocated from Melbourne to Sydney in 2021, and we’ve traveled extensively, wandering the East Coast several times. We recognize that our journey is one of continual evolution, and that our greatest adventures are still ahead.
Share Your Moments of Realization
Do you have a romantic moment you’d like to share? From quiet moments to dramatic revelations, we want to hear about the times you knew you were in love.
