The moment I knew: the day after our first date I told my mother I’d met the man I was going to marry

‘I knew I had found someone who matched my energy and imagination and was open to anything’ … Rachel Burns with Ulan in 1998 Photograph: Supplied

In 1996 I was working at the Illawarra Community Development Program in New South Wales teaching print-making and establishing a gallery there. One spring day I wandered into the office and saw this tall guy in goofy glasses and a green Hard Yakka uniform standing behind a desk. I’d never seen him before but something about him was instantly magnetic to me.

When I found out we were workmates I was shocked at how excited I was. Even though he wasn’t my usual type, I was drawn to him in a way I hadn’t experienced before. I made a point of befriending him but it wasn’t long before cups of tea in the staffroom weren’t cutting it, so I bit the bullet and asked him out on a date.