Audrey Ann Fava and Conrad Costa

Engagement Date: December 2005

Wedding Date:  28th April 2006

The first time I saw Conrad, was on the first day of University.

To tell you the truth, I was eager to see if there were any gorgeous guys joining the dental course (consisting of six ... already knew 3 ... which left 2 to discover).

My impression?  What a strange quiet boy with funny hair!

In time, I got to know Conrad as a sensitive person, with the kindest loving eyes I've ever seen! I still thought him as strange though ... and when the boyfriend I had at that time once told me (during one of his silly fights) "I think Conrad's the one for you!" I strongly disagreed.  Well, at least, he had a gift: prophecy!

As our second year started, he started driving, and so he used to give me a lift each morning. By then (I was single), I considered him as a good friend (with nicer hair, having noticed that finally he had discovered gel), whom I can trust.  

Once after a holiday, he gave me a small black bear shaped bean bag - I really fell in love with this gift.  I remember how I kept staring at the creature's eyes and felt happy. I liked Conrad and I felt good to have him around just as a friend, since I had lost faith in love relationships.

But then as I started to discover what a unique person he is, I started to get those thoughts of how lucky Conrad's wife would be. I used to lie awake in my bed imagining Conrad hugging me. Sometimes he used to massage my back after one of those anatomy yucky lectures and I felt that those hands were so caring and gentle.

However, I used to smile at the idea of dating him, especially when I saw how he danced!  I once told mum that he danced 'qishom spiccawlu l-batteries!'

Besides, how could I face him for the rest of the course, in case we split up (which I had decided by then that this was always inevitable when it came to start relationships).

Anyway, the day we ended up together was New Year’s Eve, or really early morning 2001. Now I'm really against alcohol so don't get me wrong but it had to be a bottle of Jack Daniels.  I kept on pouring doubles to Conrad.  You know, I had to help this shy guy have fun on New Year’s Eve, he deserved it!

Well he did!

We kept on saying to each other how much we loved each other between one snug and another in one of the bars at Paceville (fil-gallarija ta' Coconut Grove to be precise), like we've had those words trapped in our souls for ages!

Yet, typical me, I take ages to decide (typical woman guys would say) so I kept dating undecided till 20th January. I remember receiving flowers from him on my birthday (2nd January), and I was really afraid, so I put them in the kitchen, next to the cooker!   

Well, on the 20th, after going to mass at St Sebastian's church (it was a long mass as it was St. Sebastian's day but it was OK since Conrad kept saying jokes) I decided to tell Conrad that I really wanted to our dating to turn into a relationship.

Looking back, I think, that Conrad was unbelievably patient that January ... not that I still don't test his patience now!

Anyway, I think he's getting what he deserves, and I know I will always do ... that is, love him, respect him and give him all the affection (u fsied) a wife can give!

Now, as our wedding day approaches,  our boyfriend / girlfriend five-year relationship is coming to an end, which was all beautiful: studying together, going to Albania doing voluntary work, going to mass each Sunday (paying attention, not like that 20th January mass), graduating together last year, and lately living here in Norwich working in the same clinical practice!

Oh I can't stop singing! I'm counting down the days tonight ... I'm gonna be your surprise,

I'd hold you so tight.

Story added on the 21st December 2005