The Irish Homecoming - My Forever American Valentine - meeting the love of my life in New York

It took Kerry native April Drew a visit to New York to find her true Valentine

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April and her Valentine John

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Although I was extremely upset (and my friends were there to pick up the pieces) I managed to get over it quickly. My ex and I had harsh words, but both of us knew that our relationship had been dead for a quiet a while. 

At this time we were living with members of his family so I decided to leave the apartment and move in with my friend Norma, who, bless her, was there for me the whole way through. My now ex helped me move my stuff into a small apartment on Katonah Avenue on December 23. 

I guess I forgave him (or maybe I just realized it was always going to end the way it did.) It’s not that we stayed friends, but we were always polite to each other if we met on the street. It’s funny how you can share so much of your life with one person and then in a matter of days become complete strangers. 

I was aware by December 23 that my ex had begun dating a friend (now former) of mine. They were now an item, so Christmas was looking a little hard. 

That was until I saw the handsome man in Behan’s Bar on Katonah Avenue. 

That night my life changed forever. I’m a firm believer that there is a reason for everything, and I did question during the latter months of my failed relationship why I ever came to New York. 

Now I know why. His name is John Mooney, my tall, dark and handsome man from Behan’s. 

John had arrived in New York three months before me.  Our paths had never crossed and that might have been a good thing until that night. 

He came over to talk to my friends Sinead (whom he knew), Jen and I. I remember it like it was yesterday. 

He was nice. He had a gentle face, soft features and said the right things. 

We parted ways early into the morning after a last drink in the Rambling House. I didn’t want to go out that night. I was feeling miserable, lonely and questioning everything, but boy I’m glad I did now.

I bumped into John again in the Rambling House on Christmas Eve, and there at 3 a.m. on Christmas morning we shared our first kiss. 

I also ran into my ex and his new girlfriend that night. That was a little awkward, but it was also nice to introduce John to him. (As I said we remained cordial to one another).

So it turned out to be a rather nice Christmas. An exciting one, probably the most exciting I’ve ever had. 

You know the first few weeks wondering if the boy will call, does he like me and all that goes with that. John and I spent the next few months casually dating, having meals out, getting to know one another slowly and it was really great. 

Our first official date sometime in February consisted of an afternoon of ice-skating in Central Park and sipping hot chocolate. It was just as I’d imagined it. 

Our relationship went from strength to strength over the years, and although like any relationship it went through its ups and downs, we had a very strong foundation that has kept us going through thick and thin. 

On November 16 (or was it the 14th -- we can never remember) 2008 and a few weeks before my 30th birthday John booked us into the Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan for a weekend to celebrate my birthday. 

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