I was planning to blog about something else today — I’ve been traveling in the U.S. and haven’t posted for weeks and I have a ton of travel content to catch up on. But this week marks the four-year anniversary of the day I met Thorsten, the other half of the Blogitects, and he drew something for me as a gift:
How could I not drop everything and make a post about it?
There are so many things I love about this picture, but I think my favorite part is that Thorsten drew us wearing our Caraci clothes.
I feel like I never properly introduced Thorsten on this blog. He just appeared, first in a post about Dagwood sandwiches. Then Thorsten’s sketches also started appearing in the blog (I think this was the first one). Before I knew it, it was like he’d always been here.
I don’t think I’ve ever told Thorsten’s and my origin story — how we met at a braai in our mutual friends’ backyard in October 2020, at the height of the pandemic, and how we constantly marvel over what a miracle it was that we crossed paths. We were both in our late 40s, each with a string of breakups and various relationship calamities behind us, and both fairly certain we would never meet another romantic partner again, like ever.
Thorsten made an off-color joke about home invasions that only another hardcore Joburg-lover (like me) could find funny. Apparently Thorsten liked that I swore occasionally — in a funny and not too offensive way — during our conversation. Then Thorsten asked me if I’d ever blogged about Dagwoods before (I hadn’t), tipping me off to the fact that he already followed 2Summers. When Thorsten said goodbye before leaving the party, I hugged him (major covid faux-pas) and awkwardly blurted, “You know where to find me!” I assumed I’d hear from him soon.
But Thorsten didn’t contact me right away (he claims he was overthinking it), so a few days later I sent him a message on Facebook, where we were somehow already connected. A week went by and he didn’t respond to — or even see — my message, which was a little disheartening. (Turns out Thorsten is one of those people who doesn’t check Messenger.) And it all could have ended right there, before it began.
But I just had a feeling about this guy, and I’d been locked down alone for the past six months, and what the hell did I have to lose? So I eventually got up the nerve to contact our mutual friend and get Thorsten’s number and send him a Whatsapp, which he responded to immediately. Not long afterward we finally went for those Dagwoods.
That is how Thorsten and I became the Blogitects.
I’m pretty circumspect about writing personal stuff on the blog these days. Relationships can come and go but the internet is forever. I’ve definitely overshared in the past and regretted it later, and I don’t want to jinx things, so I try to be a little more careful than I used to be. But at this point I feel comfortable saying this guy will probably be around for a while. I still can’t believe how lucky I got four years ago, and how lucky I continue to be every day of my life with this man in it.
I feel safe with Thorsten. He believes in me and supports me in everything I do (and don’t do). He’s kind and funny and smart and a great listener. He’s the most creative person I know. He’s open-minded and humble and always working to improve himself. We never run out of interesting things to talk about. We see the world in similar ways and we never get tired of traveling together.
Thorsten is an amazing architect and I find his work fascinating; he is equally fascinated by my work. Also Thorsten is a kick-ass picture-hanger and he can fix things and build stuff. He cooks and does the dishes and rarely complains. He’s a great father to two very cool teenagers, for whom I’m also very grateful.
I couldn’t have asked for a better person to share the second half of my life with, and I think he showed up at exactly the right time. Happy anniversary, Thorsten. I love you.
Awwww, thanks for making me feel awesome! xxx T
You’re welcome <3
But you ARE awesome!!! Happy anniversary you two, can’t wait for the next blogitect event.
I love that drawing of the both of you, should make stickers out of it.
We just might do that 🙂
I can have them shipped to me for free. Dunno what it would cost to send to Joeys! https://www.zazzle.com/create_your_own_sticker-217730890414026063
Thank you for sharing this serendipitous and magical meet-cute! Having seeing you two together on one of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation walks around Brixton, you seemed so connected and that wonderful aspect of any partnership – close and comfortable together. Wishing you both a happy anniversary and a lifetime of adventures to come xxx
Thank you so much, Susan!
I am a latecommer to your blog and I always assumed that you and Thorsten have just been together probably since forever. In my mind the two of you probably arrived here together all the way from the US. To me he has always been this mysterious artist that accompany you on your travels. You are certainly brave to share your story but it is to much delight of your readers. And I wish you guys all the best.
Awww, thanks so much Barend. I also feel like he’s been around forever 🙂
May your love continue to blossom and grow!
Thank you!
FOUR YEARS ALREADY? wow. I am so very happy for both of you. A GOOD pandemic story for sure!
I know, it amazes me too. We met right before the last presidential election. And thank you for the sticker offer! We have good sticker printers right here in Joburg though 🙂
AWWWWW! This is so sweet. I’ve been wondering how Thorsten came about for ages; thanks for finally giving us the story. Sometimes it’s fantastic that the internet is forever, but I am glad it wasn’t around when I was a teenager.
OMG, me too. Glad you enjoyed our much-belated story!
Oh i love romance!!!! That sketch is deliciously romantic and you deserve all the love ❤️ Happy anniversary!
Thank you very much!
Whew! I am glad to see this. I’ll admit I was getting worried about all that US travel with no mention of the lovely Thorsten. ( I know…SA visa stuff) Your fans fret!
Hahaha, unfortunately as a small business owner Thorsten doesn’t have the flexibility to gallivant around the US for a month every year, like I do. Otherwise he definitely would have been with me! Sorry I made you worry 🙂
Beautiful post!!! Congrats
Thanks Brian 🙂
Happy travels, you two!! I DO love a happy ending story!!
As a singlet Joburg goddess in my mid forties, I’m very inspired by your story of second half romance, after a string of first half romantic calamities ! 🙂 Loved reading this, thank you !
Ah, I’m happy to have provided some inspiration! Thanks for reading 🙂
Thorsten is certainly one of the coolest Dude’s I’ve met, and had the privilege of watching him sketch
Hi is indeed a very cool dude.
LOVE THIS. Happy 4 years! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ and here’s to many more, xo
Thanks so much, Lani. xxxxx