Brad's Version

It all started with a pun — classic me. I wasn’t expecting much, maybe a laugh or an eye-roll, but instead, it sparked a conversation that just… clicked. That led to our first date: a walk around Hamilton Lake. We talked, we laughed, and I remember thinking, “Wow, this could be something special.”

By the second date, I did what any curious guy might do — a bit of Facebook stalking.

That’s when I noticed something weird: my cousin Sarah had liked a photo of Jess doing a triathlon. I couldn’t help myself — I messaged her saying, “I wasn’t trying to stalk, but… how do you know my cousin Sarah?” Jess replied, totally unfazed, “Sarah’s mum is my mum’s best friend. We’ve known each other for over 10 years.”

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Mind. Blown.

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To top it off, Jess somehow managed to get a selfie with my Aunty Kathleen and sent it to me. At that point, I was convinced the universe was playing matchmaker.

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Fast forward a few more dates — five, to be exact — and I decided to go full teenage rom-com. I bought flowers, booked a dinner, and nervously asked Jess to be my girlfriend. And yes, I sat next to her in the booth instead of across. Bit weird? Maybe. But it felt right.

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Things moved quickly in the best way. We booked a New Year’s getaway, and I had a plan. Jess definitely had her suspicions, but she let me fumble my way through a proposal under fairy lights in an avocado orchard. She said yes — even though I’m pretty sure she saw it coming a mile away.

It’s been a whirlwind of a year.

From puns to proposals, coincidences to commitment — somehow, through the chaos of the dating world, I found her. And I couldn’t be happier.

Jess' Version

I had a seven-year plan - to live with my parents for as long as possible. When I announced this plan, which had no actual end date, I could have sworn my Mum's pacemaker went off. However, this plan was unexpectedly derailed by a pun sent by Brad on Friday 29th March 2024.

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His pun instantly caught my attention. To keep things casual (and to get some extra steps in, just in case things didn't go well), I suggested we go for a walk around the Hamilton Lake. I also had Celine (my Maid of Honour) as an escape goat if needed - luckily she wasn't!

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As we walked, I chatted non-stop thinking it might scare him off. But to my surprise and delight, Brad was more than happy to have a second date the following week.

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On our second date, we added each other on Facebook. It wasn't long before Brad messaged me, saying, "I promise I wasn't stalking you, but how do you know my cousin Sarah?" I couldn't help but laugh and explained that Sarah is the daughter of my Mum's best friend Kathleen; who was in fact at our house that week. To prove it I sent a selfie of the two of us.

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As our dates continued, I realised that what I felt for Brad was different from anything I had ever experienced. I couldn't stop thinking about him. When he asked me to be his girlfriend on 19th April, I happily accepted.

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Since then, we've been on many adventures, he was dropped in the deep end at my cousins wedding - where he met my ENTIRE extended family (I thought, if he can stay after that it was meant to be!) We have travelled to Australia and done weekend getaways to Rotorua. One of my favourite memories was when we purchased our house together.

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Our journey has been filled with love, laughter and countless cherished moments. We are thrilled to share our story with you and can't wait to celebrate our special day with all our loved ones.