Contrary to what the woman on the flight from Frankfurt said, five years is a long time. Adam and I met and fell in love at University in autumn 2002.

“So how shall we celebrate?” he asked on the phone last week.

“I don’t know. Maybe you could…..write me a sonnet?” I suggested cheerily.

“What?! No……a sonnet? Why?”

“Because it’s our five-year anniversary and it’s important. It’s significant.”

“So we’re taking it seriously then?”

“Well aren’t you?” Did he mean the anniversary or the relationship?

“Of course!" he said. "I just meant are we doing, you know, presents and things?”

“No, no, I’ll be happy with a card please. And a sonnet….” I added quietly.

“A sonnet about what?”

“I don’t mind as long as there’s an underlying message of love.”

“Underlined?! Jesus, let me get a pen.”

I heard him searching through his desk drawer and scribbling on a piece of paper.

“Underlying," I said, smiling. "You know, a general theme of devotion and adoration throughout.”

“Devotion….adoration….general theme. Love….underlined. Got it. Look, why don’t you just write it and I’ll sign it?”

“No, not this time! Why are you embarrassed to show me your love?” I teased.

“I’m not! I’d just prefer not to do it in such a girly way!”

“Girly?! Was Shakespeare girly? Was Byron?”

“He was gay! And incestuous, he slept with his own sister!” he said, indignant.

“Half sister. But he wrote beautiful verse.”

“A role model for all men then. Fine, I’ll do it."

He paused. "You won’t put it on that blog will you?!”

“Adam! Of course not!”