We first met in 2019 while working at the Labor Club in Belconnen. Daniel had been there a while, and Olivia was the new recruit. With Olivia mostly working nights and Daniel on day shifts, we didn’t run into each other often—until one rare overlap on a day shift changed everything. Olivia spotted Daniel and immediately thought, “Okay, he’s cute,” but what came out was a very shy, “Hi, I’m Olivia.” Daniel, calm as ever, responded with a simple, “Hi, I’m Daniel.” It wasn’t exactly a rom-com moment... but it was a start.

Fast forward a little, and we crossed paths again at a mutual friend’s birthday party. Olivia wasn’t even planning to go but decided at the last minute to make an appearance. As luck would have it, Daniel was there too, and this time the conversation actually stuck. One chat turned into many, and from that point on, things moved pretty quickly—thanks in part to a global pandemic that had us spending a lot of time together. Turns out, lockdowns are a great way to test a relationship... and we passed with flying colours.

In 2023, while holidaying in beautiful Thailand, we found ourselves enjoying a private dinner on the beach—meticulously planned by Olivia, of course. As the sun set and waves rolled in, Daniel seized the moment and proposed. Olivia cried (a lot), and after being reminded she still had to give an answer, she said a big, happy “YES!”

Now here we are, from awkward hellos to forever, it’s been quite the ride—and we’re only just getting started we feel incredibly lucky to have found each other.