A New Year’s Drakensberg hike was organised with a combination of Gautengers and Cape Tonians (due to Andrew A living abroad in Cape Town for a while) and on the 28th of December 2020, Gary & Jess first met while trying to set up two friends who they thought were suitable, but God actually had His own plans in knowing that Gary & Jess (G&J) were going to fall in love. After five days in the mountains, being tethered by a towel for an entire one of those days, and many memories, G&J went back home feeling a spark but had no intention of pursuing anything more due to being thousands of kilometers apart.

However, technology for the win! Many months of long and late-night phone calls began (we are just friends is what they told themselves 😉) and Gary invited Jess and Jonno R to a Cederberg camping trip in June 2021. The incredible few days camping in the Cederberg included rock-climbing, hiking, sokkie-ing under the stars, swimming, a movie with a projector, fancy dress up at the Wolfberg Arch, and stargazing and a realization for Gary that this was worth pursuing. A short drive alone before Jess flew back to Gauteng allowed G&J to share their feelings towards one another and the willingness to attempt a long-distance relationship.

In August 2021, Gary took his first flight to Gauteng to go on yet again another hiking trip, in Mpumulanga this time. During a sunset and at a beautiful waterfall, Gary added a romantic touch with fairy lights, speckled eggs, even found a heart shaped rock, and asked Jessica to be his girlfriend and gave her a necklace that she has worn every day since. And so the adventure officially began.

How did they make long distance work you ask? The Lord had a plan and FlySafair was offering a 12-month subscription in which both G&J could travel to one another each month, being able to spend two weekends a month together and building a strong foundation.

Many days of road trips, flights, hiking, singing, exploring, laughing, praying, sunsets and sunrises, running, napping, stopping on the side of the road for photos, spending time with friends, seeing the tallest peak in South Africa, dancing, learning, video calling, celebrating, chasing after God, and an absolute rollercoaster of adventure – check out the gallery page for some of our favourite memories.

After a lot of prayer and planning for a future together, Gary pursued the job search in Gauteng and with the help of Ruan L a job was offered in Pretoria. In September 2023, Gary made the courageous move of packing up his life to move and G&J road tripped to Pretoria to pursue the next phase of their relationship – welcome to Gauteng Gary! In just two months of being closer to one another, Gary felt even more so that Jessica was all he ever wanted in a wife and began planning the engagement.

Back in the Cederberg mountains in February 2024, Gary organised a beautiful surprise for Jess of close friends and family to join in yet another adventure. This time G&J took a star-light hike at 03h00 in the morning to reach the Wolfberg Arch at sunrise, for the most breathtaking proposal at sunrise – thank you Jason and Richard for the photos and hiking up at 02h30. This weekend will remain close in our hearts and being able to celebrate our engagement with some of our favourite people.

There are so many more details to be said about our story and how the love just keeps growing but never enough time. There have been multiple people involved in our journey from all over the country and even the world and hence we only feel it is necessary to have an ‘adventure wedding weekend’ with all those dear to our hearts. ♥