I first met Bec at the Cottesloe Hotel in the summer of 2002–03.

It was a Sunday afternoon, time for a bit of R and R in the middle of the grind of the pre-season. Daniel Kerr and I were having a few beers, but I was keeping a lid on it because I was driving. I’d met Bec’s mum previously at a West Coast function, so when I came across Bec there was a natural starting point for a conversation. I remember thinking that Bec was very beautiful—and quite drunk! That was a common state at the Cottesloe Hotel on a summer Sunday afternoon. I found myself in the sort of moral dilemma many nineteen year-old blokes struggle to negotiate (and I dare say a few young women, too).

‘Inside’ by Chris Judd is out now. Image supplied.

I had a girlfriend at the time who was overseas. I’d swear I mentioned this to Bec that first afternoon, but Bec is adamant that I did not.

We met again for coffee about a week later, and this time there’s no doubt that the topic of my girlfriend did come up. Bec said, quite reasonably, that she couldn’t start anything with me in those circumstances. But we seemed to get along OK anyway, and I thought that even if there were no romantic possibilities, it would be pleasant to catch up with her every now and then, as mates.

I was still quite new to Perth and did not have many friends outside the footy club. Apart from anything else, I wouldn’t have to drink myself silly whenever we met.

Chris and Rebecca. Via Instagram

Typically, when you’re in your late teens and early twenties, catching up with mates involves a big drinking session, which is sometimes inconvenient for a professional athlete.

Bec and I could be mates on a different level. Bec is a Perth girl. She had lived and worked as a model in Thailand and Hong Kong for about eighteen months, but was now back in Perth, modelling and doing a media studies course at university.

With my sister Lauren and girlfriend Bec. Image supplied.

The first time we caught up, strictly as mates, was at her house. We ended up playing Scrabble, which I realise is a somewhat unusual activity for a first meeting. I started like a house on fire, and Bec was looking at me as if I was some sort of Jedi Scrabble master. Now, I have to admit to another conceit typical of young men at this stage: I was fascinated by Bec’s beauty, but did not have a huge regard for her intellect. As my lead grew to unassailable proportions, I was nurturing horribly puffed-up thoughts about how, plainly, she wasn’t all that bright, and I with my superior brainpower was embarrassing her and her feeble mind by wiping the floor with her at Scrabble. After about half-a-dozen turns, I thought I’d better ease off , not wanting to humiliate her. So I did. And the tide turned, and before I knew it she’d won the game. Again—young man’s vanities—I was pissed off . I’d meant to give her a chance, but I didn’t mean to lose. It was the first and last time I underestimated Bec’s formidable intelligence.

Sometimes I wonder what Dean Cox would have made of my competitive instinct that day. I was competitive enough to want to win, badly, even at Scrabble, but then I broke the first rule of the ultra-competitive: I gave a sucker an even break! I don’t think Coxy would have been impressed.

Some down time—in Margaret River with Bec, enjoying a break. Image supplied.

Bit by bit our relationship blossomed, until it was heading to a fairly logical place. At the end of 2008, my first year at Carlton, Bec and I did a round-the-world trip, taking in Paris and New York, among other places, and stopping in Thailand on the way home.

We’d been together five or six years by then, so I shouldn’t have been surprised that I would come under a bit of pressure to do the right thing. We’d had a pleasant meal one evening in Thailand, but Bec was cranky, so I asked, ‘What’s up with you?’ She held up her wedding-ring finger and wiggled it at me. That led to a discussion about when would be a good time to get married. I said I didn’t think it should be before 30.

Check out more of the images from ‘Inside’ by Chris Judd. Post continues after gallery. 

With Bec Judd and sister, Lauren, in Melbourne

With Bec Judd and sister, Lauren, in Melbourne

Victory dais for the Under 11, 800-metre Victorian Little Athletics State Championships

Victory dais for the Under 11, 800-metre Victorian Little Athletics State Championships

The banner for Chris Judd's 50th game

This was the banner for my 50th game for East Sandy—shared with Teddy Richards from Sydney and Steve Silletto

Running out for the First XVIII football team

Running out for the First XVIII football team at Caulfield Grammar School (c) Jesse Marlow (1)

Playing football in Ireland in 2000 for the Under 17

Playing football in Ireland in 2000 for the Under 17 Australian team against the Irish was a different and exciting experience for me

Oscar and Chris playing with a football on the beach

Oscar and Chris on beach playing with football

Off to the races with Daniel Kerr in 2006

Off to the races with Daniel Kerr in 2006

Chris with Melbourne mates on his 21st birthday

Chris with Melbourne mates on his 21st birthday

Chris on holiday in Noosa as a child

Chris on holiday in Noosa as a child

Chris Judd credit Jennifer Stenglein

Chris Judd credit Jennifer Stenglein

Chris competing against other schools in APS athletics

Competing against other schools in APS athletics for Caulfield Grammar (c) Jesse Marlow

Chris and his mum on draft day 2001

Chris with mum Lisa Judd on draft day, 2001

Chris and Andy Judd on draft day 2001

Chris with dad Andy Judd on draft day, 2001

Chris and sister Lauren on holiday in Noosa

Chris and sister Lauren on holiday in Noosa

Bec and Chris Wedding photo

Chris and Bec wedding photo (c) JenniferStenglein

Bec and Chris Down time in Margaret River

Some down time—in Margaret River with Bec, enjoying a break