I have to tell you a story. It is a romantic story. It is a happy story. It is a story with coincidences. It is my story. And it is now our story.

… and a lot of it is the fault of two people: Grant and Susan Johnson from Horizons Unlimited.

Prologue
During the last few years a lot changed – inside me, and in my life. I lost loved ones, I got desperately disappointed and deeply hurt by people, I was searching furiously for a way and a meaning in my life. But during this difficult time I also had great experiences showing me the best (and the worst) in some people, and showing me my true friends.
At one point, I realized that I eventually had to do what I was always dreaming of since I was a child – to “throw off the bowlines”, to “sail away”*, to explore different cultures and countries, to meet people and to find adventures.
At the same time, I gave up finding the right partner, my other half with whom I could share life, thoughts and ideas; the one, that would care and love me, that I could love and care for in return, and that would give me a meaning in my life.

Part 1 – where two likeminded people meet
So, I started planning the trip – my adventure – alone. I was looking for information and I came across Horizons Unlimited – a website with lots of information for motorcycle travellers. Grant and Susan, who are behind it, also organize travellers meetings around the world.
And it was at a Horizons Unlimited meeting in Germany that I met Filippo. A big coincidence, because Filippo had spontaneously decided to go there only that day – without this decision we would have never met.
I admit, I didn’t fall in love with Filippo immediately – mainly, because I had decided for myself that the other half to complete me, the right partner, simply doesn’t exist – so I didn’t expect to find him suddenly standing right there in front of me. But Filippo fascinated me from the beginning, and I couldn’t get him out of my mind after the meeting. 

Part 2 – where it gets serious
We were exchanging emails, and we decided to go to the Horizons Unlimited Mountain Madness in the Pyrenees together. It was whilst travelling down to this meeting – organized by Grant and Susan, of course – where we finally and entirely fell in love.
We found out that we have the same dreams and ideas – and so it didn’t take long after we had returned home until Filippo suggested that he could come with me on the trip.

Part 3 – where we grow together
I was really happy when Filippo said that he would like to join me. Although, I had always enjoyed the freedom of travelling alone, to do what you want to do without asking anybody, I also desperately missed somebody to share the experiences with, especially the very beautiful and the very bad moments.
At the same time, I was also a bit scared – I mean, we didn’t really know each other very well then – and for doing such a big trip together you should be sure to have the right travel partner.
But on the other hand, it just felt so right to go with Filippo. So, I didn’t hesitate long, and I was simply happy to have him with me.
From two single travellers we turned into two that are sharing a dream, and that are going to live it: 2 live the dream.

Part 4 – where it gets really serious!
As I said, it just feels so right to be with Filippo – he is really like the other half that is completing my life. I have the feeling that we together can go through everything – and he is the most loving and caring person I have ever met.
I love him so deeply and without doubts that it just felt right to ask him only five months after we met, whether he would marry me. Something I had never even thought about before! And I had tears in my eyes when he said: yes! We are now going to get married in January 2012.

Epilogue
I personally want to thank Grant and Susan for setting up the website, the traveller meetings and the HUMM – not only because they provide very valuable information and a great network, but also because without all this Filippo and I would have never met.

This is not the Happy End – this is just the very Happy Beginning – everything is just starting, and we are now really looking forward to share our lives, to share our dreams and 2 live the dream together!

Heike – one half of 2 live the dream

…………………………….

*this is taken from my favourite quotation by Mark Twain:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.“