I'm doing a few double shifts this week- 2pm until 7am. It'll be worth it in the end but even now, on day one, I'm struggling. I know I'll wake up on Saturday afternoon and think 'Wow, the week is over already' but until then it's mind over matter.

Before I lose the energy for optional chores I changed the bed sheets, put together Charlie's dinner for the next few nights and tidied up after a messy weekend.

I'm already wishing I wasn't in work (my new manage believes creating conflict is comparable to showing authority):

'Work is making me so so sad'

'But I make you so so happy. And you you still have a Charlie, he's just at our wee home. We will find you new work x'

Sent from my Windows Phone

Wine Without Asking

Friday- the end of my week. I'm only heading home now but at least I'll have three days off to enjoy.

Charlie went out after a tough day at work and picked up a nice Pinot Noir for me which, as I sit on the train home, is breathing because even though he doesn't drink wine he knows the general rule for tannic wines- leave them to air for an hour per year they are old.

He truly is fantastic.

Showing He Cares (Even on Boys' Night)

Another Friday, another boys' night. There was just enough time to enjoy each other and make dinner before it was time for him to leave. I followed him around the apartment like a puppy dog and he sent me a text to let me know he'd made the train:

I want you to know, it's been a great night already.

Game of Thrones

I don't get it. I'm sure Charlie would love to escape to Game-of-Thrones-land; at least until the withdrawal symptoms kicked in and he realised he couldn't function without his custom built gaming PC (dubbed 'The Emperor'- it does look like it could remotely control the Death Star). I on the other hand, watched the first episode and thought 'seriously?'. It's not my thing. Normally I'll spend Monday nights painting and on the off chance we are together he'll be checking his watch and at 9pm he'll kiss me goodbye and excuse himself.

Yesterday we were having too much fun together to notice the time and Charlie missed the new episode so the next night we watched it together. I found the show dull, illogical and (without knowing any of the back story) unclear. Watching Charlie on the other hand was far more entertaining than any TV series and every time something happened he'd turn to me excitidly and whisper 'I can't believe he did that' or 'This completely changes the dynamic'. I will watch it from now on.

Saying 'Thank You'

I made Charlie some couscous with roasted vegetables for his lunch and stashed a Reese's cup in his desk drawer. He text me:

It's awesome realising how many amazing things I have in my life just because you love me.

Romantic Night In

It isn't our anniversary, or a birthday or a day of any significance at all. Sometimes it's just nice to do something for the sake of it. Tonight I felt like making a boring week night a little special so I got a nice bottle of red wine, plated up some strawberries and made chocolate fondue- melt 2 parts chocolate with one part double cream, add a pinch of salt if you're using dark chocolate (it actually brings out more of a chocolatey flavour) and a little vanilla essence. It turned out to be a special night after all.

Glossybox

It’s that time of the month again and no, Glossybox isn't a creepy euphemism.

After a particularly messy night with Adele in January I attempted to send her home in my slippers with a jam jar full of wine (it was the closest thing I could find to a takeaway cup and it had a lid) but not before she could tell me about her new subscription. It wasn't to a magazine and it was designed to curb her spending on high end beauty products. Enter Glossybox.

I woke up the next morning feeling groggy but glad I hadn't drank as much as Adele. Charlie announced that he liked the idea of Glossybox and asked if I wanted a subscription. You receive a box of five high end sample beauty products for £10(plus P&P) every month- it sounds like a lot for samples but I can honestly say it's worth it. Charlie thought it would be nice for me to receive a treat every month in the post from him (we live together so actually posting something to me seemed a tad excessive).

My June 2013 box arrived today and even though he didn't pick anything in it, all I can think each month is 'what a thoughtful gift'.

Breakfast in Bed

The classic that never gets old- like a Chanel suit or a diamond engagement ring but a lot cheaper and requiring less commitment.

Charlie’s boss changed his schedule last night without telling him. Result? He showed up for work an hour early. Instead of staying he came home, made me breakfast and asked what my plans for today were. It was a pretty awesome way to wake up.

Broken Boiler

Our boiler has been broken for two weeks. The landlord (understandably) doesn't want to spend £3000 on a new boiler but we've had so many plumbers out to take a look it makes more sense just to get it replaced. Work is due to begin on Wednesday- in the meantime it's cold showers, no way of doing laundry and dishes can be cleaned only with the aid of a kettle.

Coming home to find Charlie elbow deep in dishes that I'd been avoiding was pretty inspiring.

Duck Feeding

I don’t drive and last year Charlie traded his car in for a motorbike. Today we had our first joint venture- a visit to the duck pond. Armed with a bag full of bread (and some chocolate for us) we had a practice on the bike in our building’s parking lot before speeding off.

The pond in question is one my parents would take my brother and I to when we were kids. We would bring our bikes and race each other around the pond. It’s pretty liberating to be able to enjoy similar things as a grown up although now we try to name as many species of birds as we can and then chase the pigeons.

Leaving Notes

Charlie's best friend was in Toronto for a month with work. I doubt they've ever gone so long without seeing one another. He was due for a drunken night our with the boys that I had no doubt would go on until the early hours.

For years I was so used to being on my own I found it difficult to come home to someone but now it's the opposite- arriving at my dark apartment after a long day at work to was quite strange. Finding a note on my pillow saying 'Charlie loves you' made me remember that I'm not alone even when he isn't here.

My Favourite Cologne

I had a tough morning- I’d finished a night shift, lost my phone, gone to the dentist and by the time I got home I was exhausted.  Unfortunately bed wasn’t on the menu yet as I had to call my landlord, meet my dad for a coffee and try to get my phone back. By the time I’d done this Charlie had come home for lunch and I was wide awake yet exhausted (an excessive amount of caffeine and 12 hours sleep split over 4 days was far from ideal).

Charlie pulled the curtains, made me a Sleepytime tea and whispered into my ear:

"You’re the most loved girl in the whole world"

I was already beginning to drift off while he rummaged around in one of his drawers and took out a cologne that smells amazing on him- it has notes of bay leaf and tobacco. He gently took my hand and sprayed it on my inner wrist so whenever I snuggled up with a hand under my head all I could smell was him. I had a very peaceful sleep.

Romeo Romeo

I love Shakespeare and, despite the teen suicide, a few things can still be adapted to modern day romance even if it is the cliché balcony scene.

We're swamped at work so I'm doing a night shift which will run into my normal working hours, i.e. I'll be working 17 hours straight. I just had time for dinner and Pilates with Char before heading back to work.

As I crossed the street I heard an English-accented shout of 'I love you'. Five pedestrians including myself looked up to see Charlie in his smiley faced glory waving from my balcony and blowing me kisses.

Setting Up Dad's New Tablet

Few things say 'I love you' like spending an hour setting up a computer for the technologically challenged. Particularity when, even though you work in IT, the novice questions everything you do.

Being the Voice of Reason

I have been friends with this girl for years but recently she's started cancelling every time we arrange to meet up and her boyfriend is the only thing that matters in her life. Today she text me two hours after we were supposed to meet up to ask if we can reschedule- it's a similar story each time and there's never an apology.

Charlie had said not make plans around her- 'get on with your own things and if she shows up great, if she doesn't then you haven't missed out.' Great advice but I didn't follow it.

It's taken six months but finally I've had enough- I told her that I was busy, fed up with her cancelling and maybe we should forget it for now. She didn't respond. It reminded me of when I was breaking up with an ex because I knew it wasn't working- they didn't seem to care and within 5 minutes they'd updated their Facebook to 'Single'. Even though I'd been stood up again and Charlie was proved right he didn't say 'I told you so' he said 'Are you okay?'.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

Charlie is obsessed with Reese's but they're still tricky to get in the UK. Everytime I find myself at Sainsbury's or anywhere else that sells American candy I'll pick up a few and stash them throughout the apartment.

This means that if I'm out and Charlie is home alone he'll often get a text to say 'Check the Monopoly box' or  'Look behind the Green Wing DVD'. Make sure you never stash them in the same place twice.

Love Balloon

I needed to pick up a birthday card so Charlie came along to keep me company and give me his opinion (which turned out to be the right one). Before heading home I took him to the only pretzel place in our city (bagels are popular in the UK but pretzels still haven’t caught on) for a hot dog pretzel.

As we waited for the next batch of cheese covered dogs he disappeared off on a mission. I noticed the girl behind the counter’s face before I saw Charlie- he had snuck up behind me with a helium-filled ‘I love you’ balloon.

Perhaps I should have felt silly walking around with a balloon but honestly, 100 pretzels wouldn’t have pleased me more.

Trips to the Pub

After a morning shopping and no breakfast we were trying to work out where we should go for lunch and we just made it through the door before the rain started falling down heavy.

There’s a bar I discovered a few months ago- it looks quite unremarkable from the outside but as soon as you walk through the door you can feel how different the place is. It has lots of cat themed decorations, including one of those kitsch clocks with a pendulum tail and eyes that move from left to right as every second ticks away. The walls are a weird combination of dark wood panelling and exposed brick that is painted white in places so old school cartoons can be projected directly on to them. They serve cocktails in vintage teapots and American diner style food with a British twist while you play your favourite classic table-top game (this time we played Star Wars Top Trumps). When the bill arrives it’s in a little wooden box covered in comic decoupage and fitted with a little calculator so you split the bill easily- plus they always hide a stash of sweets in with the receipt- Fizzlers, Refreshers, Love Hearts and Drumsticks.

Two hours later we had commiserated and celebrated every round of Top Trumps (with kisses and cuddles) and we didn’t care that it was still raining outside.

Emergency Protocol

There's a girl at work who causes trouble for the rest of us. She doesn't do her job, frequently has public fights with her husband (who also works in the same building) and tried to take my manager to HR for bullying when he began taking disciplinary action against her. The whole situation is ridiculous but between her low cut tops and floods of tears most people avoid her.

Today she couldn't come to work because one of her cats had a fall (yes, we were confused too) and I was asked to take over her workload- literally four days worth of work that she hadn't done. By the time I came home it felt as if the work was against me. Charlie knew right away and followed what I assume to be his 'emergency protocol':

1. Make a pot of herbal tea
2. Select cream for a foot rub (my new favourite is a pistachio body butter)
3. Listen until the tea is finished or an opinion is asked for

It works every time.

Dancing in the Street

Because even though you are in the middle of a crowded city sometimes it's nice to slow dance and be those crazy people that everyone else avoids.

Being supportive until the bad haircut grows out

Most of us have seen a bad haircut or two- whether it's an extra short buzz cut that reveals lumps and scars on the scalp or a fringe that's two inches too short; sometimes it's better to wait until the hair grows back before giving your brutal opinion on a poor choice of cut.

A few weeks ago Charlie went to get his hair cut which is always an issue because he's fussy and almost always comes home to do his own version of damage control over the sink with a set of hair clippers. This time I got a call while I was on the way home from work to warn me that today's haircut was the worst yet so I expected a disaster. He knew it was bad, I knew it was bad but telling him that his head looked like a football wouldn't fix the problem and he couldn't spend two weeks wearing a hat to work while waiting for it to grow out so I lied and encouraged him to keep his hood up when going outside.

Today is the first day he looks normal again.

Stocking the fridge with her in mind

"I love to cook but my ex was a very fussy eater and would only eat Boost bars and Dr Pepper- as unhealthy as it was within a few weeks of dating if you checked my fridge there would be fresh meat and veg for me and then a shelf with a dozen 500ml bottles of Dr Pepper and a couple of Boost bars for her in case we had an impromptu sleepover or if she called round out of the blue."

Tumble dryer towel

It's freezing outside, you're soaked to the skin but as soon as you get through the door there's someone there who'll take off your wet coat, run you a bath and leave out a cosy dressing gown.

Sometimes nothing says 'I love you' more than a towel that is put through the dryer for 5 minutes so when you get out of the bath it's nice and toasty.

Candy Trail

When either of us end up in a bad mood for no real reason we always seem to do something childish and silly just to bring us out of the moment and remind us that there is no point in being sad.

We were walking home after spending an afternoon shopping and my feet were killing me. Even though we were only a few blocks away from home I had to stop. Charlie, conscious of our Häagen-Dazs purchase melting before we got back to the apartment took out a pack of Parma Violets and set one sweet down on the ground in front of me. 

‘Come on, we’re nearly home.’

I was far from amused but by the time he’d laid a trail of 10 Parma Violets that were each about a metre apart I saw the funny side (particularly as strangers were looking at Charlie as if he had a screw loose). I picked up the sweets and by the time I reached Charlie I’d forgotten all about my feet.

Showing Up at Work

Saturdays in work can be a struggle- no one really wants to be there, we’re busier than during the week and the atmosphere can be awkward often because several people won’t come in because they’re too hungover and usually just as many will come in despite being hungover. By the time everyone has had an English breakfast there is an unhealthy level of nausea and resentment, today this was amplified due to the beautiful weather which everyone wanted to be out it.

I was enjoying my lunch at the back of the offices in the sunshine when Charlie called- he had driven to my office to say ‘I love you’ in person.

Stranded

I did a stupid thing today. After buying an early birthday present for Charlie last night I forgot to put my bank card back in my wallet. The result? I ended up stranded when my lift home went AWOL.

My solution was to stay in work until my lift showed up or until I came up with a better solution. After half an hour, no closer to a solution, Charlie's dad showed up. His parents live 10 minutes away and Charlie let them know what happened. Charlie knew that, while I didn't want to ask his parents for a favour, they would be more than happy to help.

Within 15 minutes I was on my way home.

Unplanned dinners

Every few weeks, for no particular reason, I'll pick up a few steaks and a bottle of whisky because I know it'll make Charlie happy and seeing his smile means it's money well spent.

Sleepy Toast

Hunger and lethargy are a terrible combination.

I was slightly intoxicated and very demanding but Charlie was kind enough to bring me exactly what I was craving and asking only 'one slice or two?'. He returned with a few gherkins while to eat while I was waiting and later produced a feast of wholemeal seeded bread with small chunk Branston pickle and mature Cheddar. Best of all, it was spread to the very edge of the bread- he doesn't do it for himself but he does it for me. That's love.

Cuddles and Sleep

Charlie gets migraines, fortunately they tend to wear off within 12 hours. Sometimes the best thing to do is put him to bed, turn off the lights and make sure he's as comfortable as possible. Tonight, the best thing was to make a light dinner and cuddle him as he was falling asleep.

Toothpaste

About 16 hours into working a triple shift with my boss last year he started ranting about people who squeeze toothpaste from the middle. I'd like to think it was the sugar, caffeine and lack of sleep that drove him to spend 10 minutes having a ran about 'those people'. Once he calmed down I admitted that I squeeze the toothpaste from the middle.

He rationalized that because Charlie and I have separate toothpastes that I was only hurting myself.

This morning, feeling groggy and reaching for my tube, which is down to the last third so some serious middle squeezing is needed for a payout, I was pleasantly surprised to find a plump tube after Charlie had rolled up the bottom for me.

Love is fixing things that don't affect you.

Lucky Charms

Charlie always makes me breakfast on a Sunday. He's away for the weekend and my morning plans included coffee and Criminal Minds. It made me ridiculously happy when I opened the cupboard to find a little pot of Lucky Charms and an 'I love you' note stashed for my breakfast.

Do the coffee run

"Every Sunday when we woke up together she would follow the same routine- brush her teeth, get dressed, move her car and pick up a Starbucks being climbing back under the covers beside me.

Every Sunday I when she returned I would be woken up with a kiss and a drink- a Venti Caramel frappuccino with an extra shot in the summer or a Grande White Mocha in the winter. We broke up and I bought an espresso machine but it doesn't wake me up with a kiss."

Coffee Table

I normally get up for work at 6:30am- my commute takes an hour each way whereas Charlie works three streets away from our apartment. It's frustrating and sometimes I question my decision to live in a city where space is at a premium but I maintain the <a href="">pros</a> outweight the cons. Charlie is going away for the weekend and woke me up with a cup of coffee and a kiss.  When I followed him around the apartment like a rescue puppy he picked me up and placed me on the coffee table because he knew it would take me by surprise and make me smile.

'I love you' he said.

To Do List

Sometime I feel like a disaster- I can't walk to work without stepping in a puddle, my default reaction to returning home involves hanging my coat and bag on the floor and if I wear white I will find something to stain it with (red wine over a new Marlies Dekkers was particularly heartbreaking).

To day I came home to find a 'To Do List' that included:
-change out of wet socks
-leave your coat above floor level
-have a snack
-get Charlie to get rid of crumbs

Hot and Sour Soup

It was one of those days that drains all the energy and fun out of you. We were due to meet some of our mutual friends for dinner and the prospect of anything other than Grey's Anatomy and a glass of wine was to much to think about let alone attempt.  I needed some time to myself.

Charlie went without me but came back with a portion of Hot and Sour soup from my favourite Chinese restaurant.

Jill the Dog

I'm a cat person but I have a soft spot for a well trained, well groomed dog.  Charlie's Rottweilers have never fitted the bill- they're spoilt, over weight and disobedient (exactly like a bratty cousin of mine). They also smell quite strongly of wet cardboard and musk. On the other end of the doggy spectrum is Jill, a Collie that smells of Pantene. She is terrified of rubber gloves, to the extent that she'll play dead as soon as she sees someone opening the cupboard under the sink and she will lift her chin to allow you to tuck her into her basket. Before I met Jill, Charlie assumed that I hated all dogs.

Now almost every time Charlie ends up at his friend's house after a few drinks I'll get a photo of my favourite dog.

Imaginary Kids

We're both young and neither of us are in our ideal job, apartment or even city. Maybe we'll have kids one day but it's not our plan.

Despite this, my mind will wander and I'll find myself thinking statistically they'd have his dark hair and my blue eyes- before him, even with other boyfriends, I'd always thought, if I have kids, I want them to miniature versions of me, now I think I'd want them to look like us.

The best bit? We can talk about the broody feelings even though we don't want to see them through.

Formula 1

When Charlie and I got together the 2010 F1 season was drawing to a close- this meant my weekends were suddenly going to be clear and Charlie spent a winter being lured into a false sense of security.

I've been obsessed F1 since Hamilton's rookie season when Dave, an English friend, decided to prove me wrong and show me that there is more to the sport than 'a bunch of fast cars doing laps'.

The <a href=""> rivalry</a>, the cheating, the sex scandles- on race weekend don't bother to try and coax me away from practice, qualifying or the grand Prix. Instead of spending 20 weekends a year a part, Charlie gave it a chance and while he will never dream of watching from the pits, he is sitting on the sofa next to me screaming at Vettel.

Walking in the Rain

After a night at his mum's house, Charlie and I got the train back home. As we reached the our station the first rain drops were beginning to fall.  On the walk back home we pass a covered market so we took our time and had some breakfast by the time we were leaving the rain was heavy and we linked arms and sought refuge under my tiny umbrella.  Getting completely soaked and using the umbrella as an excuse to cuddle closely, we decided to take the long way home.

Orange segments

I have childhood memories of being given orange segments as a child- huge, crudely cut wedges that at least a few kids would try to stuff in their mouth to create an orange skin grin. It was enough to put me off oranges for 10 years. I think Charlie may have had a similar experience as we both tended to avoid oranges until a few weeks ago.

After finding the sweetest, juiciest oranges one Sunday at an organic food fair I went hone and put together a simple fruit salad they way my parents had taught me. As Charlie had his first bite of a properly segmented orange he realised what he'd always hated about oranges- the pith. Today- miserable, cold and with a pounding headache I asked what would help: 'Painkillers and segmented orange'. It's amazing that a little effort and an everyday fruit can be a simple way to say 'I love you'.

Post

It's raining again today and I needed to collect my post from the depot which around 15 minutes away. In weather like this the prospect of walking for half an hour in the wind and rain isn't entralling, particularily when an umbrella won't stand up to the abuse the weather is dishing out. Coming home to find that Charlie had done it for me and that there was a neat pile of parcels on the coffee table for me to open was particularly wonderful (especially when he didn't need to go there for himself).

The hoodie off your back

Yesterday we had highs of 23oC, today we were not so lucky. I left for work and soon found myself ankle deep in a puddle. It's been the sort of day that suits hot chocolate with marshmallows, a feather duvet and a skylight to enjoy the sound of heavy rain. Unfortunately it was a day of wet feet, windswept hair and ruined umbrellas. What has helped? As soon as I got through the door having Charlie to take off my wet coat and replace it with the warm hoodie he was wearing before making me a cup of vanilla rooibos tea.

The sock drawer

As Charlies headed to work this morning he struggled to find a matching pair of socks.

"I wish all my socks were the same then I wouldn't need to worry about whether or not they're paired."

By the time he got home I'd emptied his sock drawer and refilled it with 20 pairs of new black socks. When he discovered this he was elated. It wasn't so much about the socks as it was about being listened to, a problem having been solved and a knowing that he is cared about.

A look, a touch and a smile

My dad has started dating someone- this the the first relationship he's had in almost 15 years. I met them both for coffee this morning in a cute little cafe a few street from my apartment. I managed to drop my phone in the sink and they were running late but I had no idea. After 10 minutes of waiting while savouring a peppermint tea (searved in a beautiful vintage silver teapot with a delicate cup and saucer) I had to take a second glance at a couple who had jut walked through the door. I didn't recognise my dad; he looked like a different person- same face, same hair, same rugby shirt I bought him last Christmas but something else was completely alien.

It wasn't until I'd almost finished my tea that I worked it out- love. As he looked at her, smiled and gently patted her hand you could see how deeply he cares for this woman. Whether it's meant to last a lifetime or a few months, I don't think it matters too much, the important thing to me is that you can still find love (even at 70) and the kind of love that is obvious from a simple smile.

Showing you're thinking of her when you are apart

Adele and I go out once a month for a meal and a few drinks- afternoon tea with blueberry tea, dinner with a Shiraz or lunch with Disaronno and cranberry. One evening we went out for dinner after work and the plan was somewhat sullied by a mess up with our reservation (apparently there is a restaurant with the same name in Wales and Adele inadvertently booked a table for us there). So with a spanner in the works and moral lower than usual we were both pleasantly surprised when a waiter came over and produced a bottle of my favourite wine that Charlie had ordered (and paid for) over the phone.

Keep her in flowers

Every few weeks I'll come home to a new bunch of flowers- tulips, roses, a bunch from a boutique florist around the corner or sometimes it'll just be a single flower. It doesn't matter the type and the studies confirm it. In 2010 research was carried out by Dr Nicolas Gueguen that found women are more attracted to men if there are in the presence of flowers. Buy a bunch or pick some yourself and it'll benefit you as much as her.