Years ago, before I came to Bermuda, I was always asking my daughter, Maria, "If I meet someone, how will I know if he is the one?"

She always replied: "You will just know. Your heart will tell you."

March 12 is a very special day for me. Ten years ago, I first arrived in Bermuda on a cruise ship and met Bill, my future husband, and his daughter, Ava.

It was so simple: I asked them for directions on a sunny day among the crowds in Dockyard.

We spent that afternoon together, and as I watched the sun slip into the sea, I realised I was in love with three new acquaintances: Bill, Ava, and Bermuda.

It was love at first sight, and I didn’t question myself; I simply followed my heart.

I just knew – Bill is the one, Ava a treasure, and Bermuda the most beautiful place I had ever seen.

I have been pondering how to make this tenth anniversary of arriving in Bermuda a special occasion, and one way is for me to recognise Bill in this column.

In the past six years, I have been fortunate to have The Royal Gazette publish over 200 of my articles.

Anyone who reads me knows how big a part of my story includes Bill. Yet, I doubt many readers fully understand how key he has been in bringing my articles to you.

I was born in Siberia and emigrated from Russia when I was 32. English is my second language.

From my first assignment for The Royal Gazette, Bill has worked just as hard as I have to convey my ideas and experiences into the excellent and often lyric prose that my readers expect when they open the paper and sit down to read “Nina London”.

I would never have been able to create these lovely, powerful, and atmospheric stories in the English language without his contribution. He is not only my at-home editor, he is my co-writer and has constructed parts of each story that complement mine, all with the goal of helping me present what I remember and feel in my heart.

Thank you, my darling husband, for crafting my voice and for being so sensitive and artistic in helping me share my life and my dreams!

My love with Bill keeps growing and changing over time.

It is like a stream flowing down from the mountains that transforms into a powerful river; more deep, meaningful, strong, and caring over time.

We try to make each other happy because we understand it is the key to a lasting marriage.

Over these ten years, we have become partners. We are a team. It is a wonderful feeling to know I am not alone in this world of worry and unforeseeable futures.

I have Bill to lean on, to hug, to talk to, to kiss. He supports all my crazy ideas and grandiose plans that often seem so hard to achieve!

Bill is a writer of rare talent with a deep knowledge of literature, history, art, music, photography and many other fields.

He is a modern Renaissance man, so unusual in this digital age.

But, most importantly, Bill still looks at me each day with adoration and I in turn, still want to dance for him, to make him laugh, to tease him when he is too serious.

I wish for every person on the planet to find their true love and cherish them.

Look up at the graceful courtship of the Bermuda longtails. They travel countless miles through the blue wilderness of the far ocean, hurled by storms into both darkness and light.

They are driven onward by forces we cannot know until they feel the land hidden beneath towering clouds, and hear the crash of surf beckoning them to build their homes.

Then they soar in rapture above the glittering beaches and the weathered cliffs. They call over and over to each other: “You are the one! you are the one!”

Nina London is a certified wellness coach, Qigong teacher and laughter leader. Her mission is to support and help cancer patients and survivors and inspire mature women to make positive changes in their body and mind. Share your inspirational stories with Nina at www.ninalondon.com and follow her on Instagram @coachninalondon