How long does it take to fall in love?

When is it the right time to say ‘I Love You’?

How do you know if you have found ‘The One’?

The Beginning

My story begins on a plane to Bali, a solo female traveller, in the middle of “a break” with her girlfriend, taking time to consider if this is the relationship she really wants. 

I arrived in Bali, making the decision to really start listening to my heart. To stop being the girlfriend I thought I was supposed to be and to make an effort to be 100% true to myself, regardless of the outcome. 

Bali is my home. You know that place, the one that when you arrive just feels right. So familiar and yet so new, like you have lived there in a past life. This was exactly how I felt when I had visited for the first time the year before, so I was returning to my favourite surf and yoga retreat, Pelan Pelan to get back to my happy place. 

After settling in on the first day and meeting the other guests, I spent the day re-visiting all my favourite spots. When I got back, one more traveller had arrived, Marthe, a girl from Holland. She was cute, we talked a little and the day was done. 

It’s always funny to think back to these first moments. How you can have no idea of the significance a single meeting is going to have on the rest of your life. 

The Surf

The next day is surfing. This is why I come to Bali, to experience the rush of gliding on water, without a care in the world, totally surrounded by nature. 

We all meet back at the resort for lunch and after mentioning my current unknown relationship status, Marthe mentions her ex-GIRLFRIEND experience, “subtle”. I like that she’s interested. In the afternoon sun, I notice that she has the most incredible eyes. They are like the crystal blue waters of the ocean in paradise. As she talks I study her face, her mannerisms, her smile, her laugh. 

We go into town together that day. I like spending time with her. I like being close to her. But I am also in the middle or the end of something else. My mind and my heart have been so disjointed for so long that I no longer know how to listen to either one. 

The inevitable happens, my girlfriend and I break up. It’s challenging. When two people have to face the fact that they have different expectations of each other and what they want. I remember the feeling of exhaustion from everything and the need to allow my mind and heart to heal. 

Mathe is there, she doesn’t ask for anything. She offers me her silent support, her understanding and her kindness. In this moment I really begin to see what a true and beautiful person she is. 

The First Kiss

We go out for the evening, just the two of us. The tension is palpable. The air between us carries so much energy. All the excitement of the possibilities waiting to unfold. The evening ends in the pool, where we learn so much about eachothers lives. Laughing and joking, building up to what we both know is coming. 

The first kiss. 

It’s so perfect. 

The Challenge

The next day I am thrown into a war between my head and my heart. My logical, practical, sceptic tells me that this is crazy! You have just fought so hard to be true to yourself and end a relationship, because it isn’t what you want right now. You are bruised from so much emotional strain over the past few months and you need time to heal. Time to understand what it means to be you again.  

My heart, my instinct, my soul saying, this feels right in every way. It feels so different from anything you have ever known and yet exactly like something you have known before. 

I sent so many mixed signals as I battled with all these thoughts, until finally Marthe had enough. She stepped back and with that I felt my heart leap towards her, not ready to let this magic slip away.  

The Magic

We agree to travel to Nusa Penida together, to spend 5 days exploring somewhere new for both of us. As the boat leaves Bali, I look at the girl sitting next to me … in this moment, I couldn’t be happier. 

This is Paradise. 

The clock turns to midnight, its February 14th. We lie in bed with the weight of all our feelings between us. I see it in her eyes every time she looks at me. I feel it in my heart every time we kiss. She starts to speak, I cover her lips with my finger to stop her, scared that once it’s said the magic may be lost. 

We spend the day’s riding around on a scooter, wind in our hair, music playing, in the heat of the paradise sun, stopping off whenever we see a beach to swim and sunbathe. Marthe riding on the back, I would look into my mirror and see her crystal blues watching me, a cheeky wink and my heart would skip. 

I love you

I said it. Those words came from my mouth. Without thought or hesitation, they burst out. We lie in silence. Her eyes are wide, stunned. 

I love you

In that moment we both knew, this was just the beginning …

How long does it take to fall in love? It happens the second your souls meet 

When is it the right time to say ‘I Love You’? When not saying it, becomes harder than saying it. 

How do you know if you have found ‘The One’? You just know

Read Part 1 – Marthe’s Story

Tash T

I currently live in London, working all over the UK as a performer and a presenter. I have a passion for writing and love sharing my experiences with others.