24

I’m not usually one to post personal stuff, but today marks 24 years that my partner Andrew Nette and I have been together as a couple.

That’s half our lifetimes.

Melbourne, 1990

Over the past twenty-four years, we’ve lived in five countries, had ten different addresses, and travelled in 16 countries together. We have plans for more.

Vientiane, 1994

We’ve produced one child, six books/book deals and numerous short stories between us. We have plans for many more books and short stories, too.

Prague, 1998

Like all couples, we’ve had good times and bad. Things can get rowdy at times. But mostly, we live together very well.

Hampi, India, 2005

It’s not Andrew’s style to go public on this stuff, but I hope he will indulge me in celebrating this milestone.

Krabi, Thailand, 2011

The traditional gift for a 24th anniversary is a musical instrument. So it seems appropriate to briefly sing Andrew’s praises.

Thank you for 24 amazing years, my love. Thank you for being my toughest critic and staunchest supporter, my partner in life, parenting and crime fiction. May time never dull the fire in your belly nor the brightness of your mind.

To borrow from WH Auden, you are ‘my noon, my midnight, my talk, my song’.

I look forward to many more years of wonder together.