The Secrets I’ve Been Keeping
First I want to apologize for not posting anything on my blog in so long. I hit a wall a few months ago, and I had a hard time writing because I couldn’t write about the things I really wanted to. I still needed to keep them secret. But I’m finally ready to spill. A few months ago I told you how I met Andy and fell in love. I’m still sometimes hit with a rush of amazement that we actually met, and I feel so lucky that it happened. But I didn’t tell you the whole story.
When Andy and I first started talking, I didn’t tell many people about my crush because I thought, this is crazy, he lives in Germany! I especially didn’t want to tell my coworkers because I didn’t know what might happen with Andy, and I didn’t want work to worry about what might happen with my extreme long distance relationship. Plus we didn’t even meet each other in person until we had known each other for 4 months. What if we didn’t click in person?
But we did click. The little bit of weirdness we experienced at finally being in each other’s physical presence disappeared in the time it took to walk from the train station to the hotel in Prague. Then it just felt natural to be around him. I visited him at New Year’s a month later in Freiburg where he lives, and by the end of that weekend, we knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.
Just as I was finally telling everyone about meeting and falling in love with Andy, we got engaged and I made the decision to move to Germany! But at the same time, my company went through some majorly chaotic shake-ups and I didn’t want to add to it by telling them my plans. Plus I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to give several months notice no matter what the reason for leaving is. So I spent the past few months planning for all the various changes that are about to occur in my life, all in stressful secrecy. Of course my friends and family knew, but that huge chunk of time spent at work every day having to hide the most important events of my life was more stressful than I ever could’ve imagined.

With the wedding only a few weeks away (June 5th!) I decided it was time to finally break the news. A few days ago I told my managers that I’m getting married and moving to Germany. They were understandably surprised but pretty understanding and happy for me. So now I’m working out my last few weeks until May 27, which will be my last day of work. I still haven’t completely digested the whole thing. I’ve been out of college and at a full time job for almost 9 years, so the idea of not having a job for awhile it really strange.
My flight to Germany, the one that’s a move instead of a visit, is July 8th. I will spend almost 3 months with Andy, getting settled and taking Germany classes. Then at the end of August I’m meeting up with Jaime and hopefully some other bloggers in Buñol, Spain (outside of Valencia) for La Tomatina, a huge tomato fight that takes place on the last Wednesday of every August. Then at the end of September, I’m leaving to travel for about 4 months. More details on that later.
I’m so happy to finally be able to share this with everyone! Thank you to those of you who’ve known and supported and encouraged me these past few months. I am so looking forward to this next stage of my life, no matter how scary it is. Andy is the man I’ve been looking and hoping for my whole life, and I can’t wait to explore the world with him one piece at a time.
Update: Check out the wedding photos here!
May 12, 2011 @ 12:12 AM
Wow! How exciting and romantic! I am so happy for you! I cannot wait to keep up with everything now that it’s out in the air. Congratulations girl and I wish you all the best in your bright future.
-Allison
May 12, 2011 @ 12:22 AM
Thanks Allison!
May 12, 2011 @ 12:12 AM
Congratulations! Beautiful ring. 🙂
May 12, 2011 @ 12:22 AM
Thanks Jessica!
May 12, 2011 @ 12:14 AM
Congrats! Glad you’ve spilled your secrets!
May 12, 2011 @ 12:23 AM
Thanks Caroline! I hope you’re doing great in Australia!
May 12, 2011 @ 12:15 AM
So happy for you girlie! Here is to an amazing new future!
May 12, 2011 @ 12:23 AM
Thanks Erica! I hope Mexico is treating you well!
May 12, 2011 @ 12:32 AM
SO HAPPY FOR YOU ALI <3
May 12, 2011 @ 12:38 AM
Thanks for being one of my biggest chearleaders, Christina!
May 12, 2011 @ 12:57 AM
Congrats! Hope you have the time of your lives together!
May 12, 2011 @ 1:01 AM
Thanks Laura!
May 12, 2011 @ 1:15 AM
PHEW!!!! At least I don’t have to hold my tounge any longer…baby girl….i am not only sooooooo jealous of ure travels in life…..but more so in what ure life has found in your travels…..
Xoxoxoxo
May 12, 2011 @ 12:44 PM
Thanks! Can’t wait to see you in a few weeks! -Fred
May 12, 2011 @ 1:22 AM
I’ll do it one more time… EEEEeeeeeeeee CONGRATS~
So glad you finally are free to tell the world your plans and whats going to make you happy!!! I am so glad I was able to help you a bit & being here to talk to when you needed me. I can not wait to meet you in Spain its going to be awesome!!! Ahh I bet it feels great now to have so much weight lifted off your shoulders~
May 12, 2011 @ 12:45 PM
It sure does feel great! Thanks Jaime!
May 12, 2011 @ 1:44 AM
Wow – that is so exciting! I know you don’t know me, but I love reading your blog and wish you all the best. What an incredibly exciting time for you. Cheers!
May 12, 2011 @ 12:46 PM
Thanks! And thanks for reading my blog!
May 12, 2011 @ 1:55 AM
Ooo, lovely ring! It must have been so hard to be that happy and make so many plans for your wedding while keeping it all a secret.
May 12, 2011 @ 12:47 PM
It was really difficult. Thanks for reading!
May 12, 2011 @ 1:59 AM
Wow! Congratulations! I bet it feels really good to get that all out in the open. I look forward to reading about your adventures. That tomato fight sounds like a blast!
May 12, 2011 @ 12:50 PM
Thanks Christy! I’ll definitely write something about the tomato fight, among other things!
May 12, 2011 @ 1:13 PM
What?! You are getting married?! I had no idea! 🙂
I am sure keeping that a secret from those at work was hard. And while most of this wasn’t news to me (I even knew what weekend you were getting married!) that is exciting about the upcoming travel plans. I didn’t know that!
May 12, 2011 @ 10:46 PM
Hilarious Jeremy 🙂 Thanks! Yep, I decided this big chunk of time in between jobs is the perfect time to take the long term trip I’ve always wanted to do. See you in a few weeks!
May 12, 2011 @ 7:17 AM
Big congratulations from the two of us! 🙂 🙂 🙂
May 12, 2011 @ 1:03 PM
Thank you both!
May 12, 2011 @ 7:36 AM
WOW!!!! So incredibly happy for you. When you find “the one”, you just know. It sounds like a silly fantasy until it actually happens to you. I wish you tons of happiness and travel adventures. Good luck to you! Keep blogging 🙂
May 12, 2011 @ 1:05 PM
Thanks Debra! I’m so excited!
May 12, 2011 @ 8:07 AM
Right on – glad you finally got that off your chest. I know it’s been weighing you down a lot. So excited for you. And Germany – that’s just the icing on top! 🙂
May 12, 2011 @ 1:06 PM
Thanks Brandon! Let me know if you make it to our neck of the woods!
May 12, 2011 @ 8:23 AM
HOLY CRAP! Man, I’ve missed out on news not going to the ATL Travel Tweetups!
Congrats lady! I literally gasped when I scrolled down and saw the ring, it’s absolutely beautiful.
And getting married in June, wowsa! So much has happened! I’m so incredibly happy for you. I could tell how you felt about Andy when you were telling us about him months ago. You two have an amazing story, and I can’t wait to hear more as time goes on!
May 12, 2011 @ 1:07 PM
ATL travel tweetups is where it’s at! Ha! Thanks Amy! Hope to see you soon!
May 12, 2011 @ 8:27 AM
WHE WHE WHEEEE. congratulations girl.
I am glad that everything worked out for you and i hope you enjoy this incredible opportunity to live in another country.
Glückwünsche
May 12, 2011 @ 1:08 PM
Thanks JR! And thanks about the ring too 🙂
May 12, 2011 @ 8:28 AM
ps: beautiful ring
May 12, 2011 @ 3:23 PM
Congratulations and Germany of course is very exciting. But I’m biased. ;-D Seriously, I think you will love living here. Welcome! 🙂
May 12, 2011 @ 10:49 PM
Thanks Jen! I like what I’ve seen so far, so I’m sure I’ll like living there. Hopefully we can all meet up one of these days once I get there.
May 12, 2011 @ 11:36 AM
Andy’s gonna be an incredible witness for your life & partner for the adventure!!!
May 12, 2011 @ 1:09 PM
Thanks for being one of my best friends & travel buddy Amanda!
May 12, 2011 @ 12:10 PM
Congrats Ali! Looks like you are going to have one hell of a 2011. Totally awesome and completely happy for you!
May 12, 2011 @ 1:10 PM
Thanks Justin! Nice to “meet” you!
May 12, 2011 @ 1:06 PM
Congratulations! It’s so great that everything is finally out in the open! I’m so happy for you and can’t wait to meet you soon!
May 12, 2011 @ 11:09 PM
Thanks Val! So excited for Tomatina!
May 12, 2011 @ 1:47 PM
Congratulations!
May 12, 2011 @ 10:47 PM
Thanks Erica!
May 12, 2011 @ 1:53 PM
Holy freaking cow girl!!!!
I am so proud of you and your bravery. Andy is one lucky man!
Good luck and congratulations! I love you.
May 12, 2011 @ 10:47 PM
Thanks TL, I really appreciate it!
May 12, 2011 @ 3:30 PM
Congratulations! That’s amazing! Can’t believe this came out of a chance Twitter meeting 🙂 Very, very cool! Are you getting married in the States and then moving to Germany? I hope you’ll like it there! Sounds like you already have quite a bit of travel lined up, so I’m sure you’ll be busy 🙂
I’ve moved to the US mainly to be with my (Italian) boyfriend and I haven’t ever regretted that decision. If anything, being two foreigners in a foreign country has brought us so close together. Enough about me though. Congrats again and I hope it all works out exactly like you guys hope!!
May 12, 2011 @ 10:51 PM
Thanks Sabrina! Yes, we’re getting married in the States, outside of Atlanta. Andy’s family is going to drive down from North Carolina. I leave for Germany about a month later. Exciting! But also kind of freaking me out because all the sudden it’s just around the corner! But I’m sure I’ll love it!
May 12, 2011 @ 6:03 PM
Congrats!! What an awesome news! Here’s to both of you living a great traveling life together!
May 12, 2011 @ 11:08 PM
Thanks Jill!
May 12, 2011 @ 6:05 PM
We knew something was going on in your corner of the world 🙂 Congrats, Ali!
May 12, 2011 @ 11:07 PM
Thanks Kent!
May 13, 2011 @ 7:27 AM
Do I smell a dual citizenship? Y
ou lucky duck!
May 13, 2011 @ 8:13 PM
I wish! Andy is a US citizen, so no luck there. Thanks for stopping by!
May 13, 2011 @ 7:54 AM
Whoa this all happened pretty bloody quick! Congratulations guys! Hope you have an amazing wedding and I’m sure we’ll meet somewhere in Europe one day.
May 13, 2011 @ 8:15 PM
Thanks Justin! Not too quick I don’t think. We’ll be together 10 months by the wedding. Ok kinda quick 🙂 I’m sure we will cross paths at some point.
May 13, 2011 @ 8:48 AM
Congratulations to both of you! It’s a wonderful story and the two of you are going to have a wonderful life! I hope one of you posts some wedding photos…? Cheers!!
May 13, 2011 @ 8:16 PM
Thanks Gillian! Yep, I’m sure I’ll post wedding pictures sometime after the wedding 🙂
May 13, 2011 @ 9:09 PM
Ali I am soooo happy for you!!! This is such a happy, romantic story! You know how I am…just smiling through tears the whole time i was reading. Congrats!!!!!
May 13, 2011 @ 11:32 PM
Aw thanks Gia! I miss you!
May 14, 2011 @ 10:26 AM
Hi,
This is very romantic, I’m so glad for you and Andy! It’s a great thing to make a change, take a break and live your love story because that is something important and pleasant. Enjoy your honeymoon and keep up the great news coming! Congratulations !!!
Best wishes ever,
Joshua
May 14, 2011 @ 12:41 PM
Thanks Joshua!
May 14, 2011 @ 7:55 AM
LOVE THIS POST! I am so happy for you Ali and for the changes that are coming for the two of you. Although I had a suspicion that you might be moving to Germany I had no idea you two were getting married!
I’m so happy for you guys! I’ll be seeing you in Seattle when we all head to TBEX! Enjoy you planning and you wedding! 🙂
May 14, 2011 @ 12:42 PM
Thanks Annie! Yep, been planning the wedding for a few months now. I didn’t realize you’re going to TBEX, can’t wait to see you there!
May 14, 2011 @ 3:59 PM
Congratulations!! I am a sucker for romantic, I-can’t-believe-they-met-that-way type stories and yours just about takes the cake! I love it! 🙂
May 14, 2011 @ 8:09 PM
Thanks Katie! I still sometimes can’t believe we met this way!
May 16, 2011 @ 12:32 AM
Congratulations!!!
May 16, 2011 @ 12:48 AM
Thanks Michael!
May 15, 2011 @ 8:48 PM
Wowza. This is awesome. I’m so happy for you two. Congratulations!
May 15, 2011 @ 9:50 PM
Thanks Sally!
May 16, 2011 @ 12:41 AM
Way to Stay Adventurous.
congrats, Craig
May 16, 2011 @ 12:48 AM
Thanks Craig!
May 16, 2011 @ 12:55 AM
So romantic! Congrats!! Will this new bond start a new couples travel blog?!?! I see that in the making!
May 16, 2011 @ 1:02 AM
Thanks Jade! Maybe just guest posting on each other’s blogs 🙂
May 18, 2011 @ 9:55 PM
WOW! I didn’t check your blog regularly lately coz I saw you weren’t posting much but I just found this and… I felt so happy for you reading it, really!!! When I saw the photo of the ring I was open-mouthed (and I also thought he has great taste! hehe)
Congratulations, I understand you must have been in a lot of pressure lately but now it must feel like heaven…
“he is the man I’ve been looking and hoping for my whole life, and I can’t wait to explore the world with him one piece at a time.” – I hope I can say something like this one day too. 🙂
Wow, again.
May 19, 2011 @ 12:11 AM
Thanks! Yeah, I really ran out of motivation to write since all I wanted to write about was this and other stuff I just couldn’t make public yet. I definitely feel better now that it’s all out in the open. Maybe we’ll get to meet up with you in Italy one of these days!
May 19, 2011 @ 9:22 PM
Would be awesome to see you around:)
May 21, 2011 @ 1:38 PM
Congrats and best of luck with the move!! Love your ring =)
May 21, 2011 @ 2:33 PM
Thanks Andrea! Not too much longer until the move!
May 21, 2011 @ 2:01 PM
Hey Ali,
Its a great, exciting and romantic post. Its great to see that
your long distance relationship has really worked out with the blessings of God and I am really glad to see you guys getting married this June.
Congratulations and wish you a great married life. The snap that you have given of your wedding ring is great. I’ll definitely say that Andy has a great choice.
Hope to see some beautiful post about our marriage and also give some snaps
of La Tomatina .
May 21, 2011 @ 2:34 PM
Thanks Anthony!
May 23, 2011 @ 3:31 AM
You are welcome! As always!
Really looking forward to hear what good gets going on in your life. 🙂
May 21, 2011 @ 10:55 AM
LOVE the ring (great job Andy) and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you that you can finally tell the whole world the good news. Can’t wait to see you on the train to TBEX and give you a big ol congratulatory hug in person!!!! It seems like just yesterday that Andi and I were sitting with you in Charlotte and this was still a new, secret, thing in your life. Many blessings for a happy future!!!!!
May 21, 2011 @ 2:31 PM
Thanks Kirstin! It was so nice to have a few people to share my secret with 6 months ago. Can’t wait to see you too in a few weeks!!
May 21, 2011 @ 11:49 AM
I knew you were moving to Germany, but engaged??!! Congratulations!! I’m so happy for you 🙂 And June 5th happens to be the day I’m also leaving for South Africa- quite a day.
May 21, 2011 @ 2:32 PM
Thanks Laura! How exciting, I’m looking forward to hearing about your new adventures in South Africa!
May 23, 2011 @ 9:45 PM
Ah ha! The rest of the story! How very cool. Congrats to you both, and here’s to a long and happy marriage!
Dan
May 24, 2011 @ 12:14 AM
Thank you so much, Dan!
May 26, 2011 @ 11:04 PM
Just saw this, just wanted to say good luck and congrats!
May 26, 2011 @ 11:48 PM
Thanks Scott!
Travel Writing Round Up [June 2011] « Caroline in the City
June 3, 2011 @ 10:42 AM
[…] “The Secrets I’ve Been Keeping,” Ali’s Adventures: Ali is another friend of mine who has just spilled the beans about her Twitter romance and now engagement to Grounded Traveler‘s Andy and now she is moving to Germany! I wish her all the luck in the world. […]
August 12, 2011 @ 4:35 PM
i know this is an old post because i’ve read that you’re already married now. very glad for you, love can sometimes come out of nowhere.
August 14, 2011 @ 3:44 PM
Thanks Mack!
Travel Writing Round Up [June 2011] - Caroline in the City
August 1, 2012 @ 3:52 AM
[…] “The Secrets I’ve Been Keeping,” Ali’s Adventures: Ali is another friend of mine who has just spilled the beans about her Twitter romance and now engagement to Grounded Traveler‘s Andy and now she is moving to Germany! I wish her all the luck in the world. […]