A Chance Encounter

August 2003

Neither Phil nor April intended to meet their future spouse when they made travel plans to visit New Orleans in the summer of 2003. Phil was attending the International Association of Food Protection's Annual General Meeting, whilst April was taking a short vacation with her friend Melissa. Luckily for them both, they ran into one another at a bar on the famous Louisiana street and proceeded to enjoy three fun-filled days together. When it was time to return home to their respective cities, emails and phone numbers were exchanged, but no promises were made.

Several months passed by following the heady days of New Orleans, but the emails and Instant messages continued. In late 2003, Phil was in the US for business once more, this time Philadelphia, but decided to extend his trip to visit April's home city of Indianapolis. This trip to the Hoosier state served to confirm that in each other they had found something special, and from then on they were both hooked on each other.

Courtship Rituals

November 2003

Phil and April took the decision to begin "going steady" in late 2003. Straight away there was an obvious and rather large complication with the relationship - the Atlantic Ocean. Whilst Phil and April weren't the first couple to undertake a serious relationship with someone living in a different land, they wondered just how viable an overseas relationship could be. There was only one way to find out; grab your frequent flyer card and climb aboard. Get ready for a quick recap on 2004.

Miami, FL

January 2004

The sun set on 2003 for Phil and April on A1A Beach Front Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida. The band Phish played a series of four gigs at the American Airlines Arena culminating in a NYE gig. On the day of NYE the temperatures had reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit, as indicated on the image shown. The evening show by Phish was a memorable way to usher in 2004.

Preston, UK

March 2004

April made her first trip to Lancashire to see Phil in March 2004. Phil had successfully completed the viva voci examination to complete his PhD studies and was holding a party with his friends to celebrate.

New Orleans, LA

May 2004

A reunion of sorts in New Orleans, Louisiana. Phil was in town for the American Society for Microbiology's AGM and April found the time to make the trip from Indianapolis. In the city where this whole thing got started, New Orleans second round didn't disappoint and had lost none of its appeal

London, UK

July 2004

After finishing her nursing studies at IUPUI, April took a well deserved 4 month break and headed to England for the summer. Now things were starting to get serious. This gave April a great chance to see all that Great Britain had to offer, including trips to Oxford, Edinburgh, The (British) Open at Royal Troon, London, Lancaster, Blackpool, and Manchester.

New York, NY

August 2004

A quick overnight stay in New York;

Broadway show - check

Sidewalk pizza - check

Ground zero - check

Sushi - check

Nice work, fellas

Coventry, VT

August 2004

Disaster strikes. Whilst staying in England with

Phil during her four month sabbatical, April's favourite band declares that they are to split and announce final tour dates. "Hang on Phish, we're coming". A trip to the Vermont in the US's Northeast Kingdom to see the final performance of the band was amazing. Meeting Page McConnell, piano player from the band, in Starbucks the following day - Priceless.

Leeds, UK

August 2004

Phil, April, and Kev crossed over from Lancashire to Yorkshire to see some of the leading UK acts at the Leeds Festival.

Owensboro, KY

September 2004

With April's summer sabbatical over, it was time for a trip stateside. Phil and April were reunited in Kentucky to celebrate Amberly and Steve's wedding. This trip gave April the chance to show Phil around her home town of Owensboro.

Las Vegas, NV

October 2004

Another stateside trip for Phil, this time to fabulous Las Vegas. A US rendezvous with Phil's Uncle Andrew and Auntie Angie, Ma and Pa Duncanson, and mate Kev Smith saw an English invasion of Las Vegas. April taught Phil some blackjack tricks and he managed to line his pockets with a stack of green bills. Everyone must visit Vegas once!

San Antonio, TX

November 2004

After 12 months of traveling, they had the chance to celebrate an anniversary of sorts in San Antonio, Texas. It had been a whole year of "courting" now for the happy couple and it was obvious to all around that it suited them both really well. To celebrate, dinner at The Melting Pot, a place for serious romantics.

New Orleans, LA

August 12th 2006

Coming full circle, Phil & April were married in New Orleans, the city where they met.  Wedding pictures here!

Indianapolis, IN

September 26, 2005

Phil moves to Indianapolis.  Welcome home.